Carnival float building

Practised in Goa

One of Goa's living craft traditions.

Where it comes from

Floats have been the centrepiece of Goa's Carnival parades since the festival became a public celebration, each one a neighbourhood or troupe's statement of humour, satire or spectacle.

How it's practiced

Teams spend weeks building frames of bamboo and wood on a vehicle base, then cover them with papier-mâché, thermocol and paint, often adding moving parts and costumed performers.

From discovery to practice

The Journey

Understand

Where Carnival float building comes from, why it started, and what it means today.

See it

See it made for and around Carnival.

Experience it

Request an artisan visit — watch Carnival float building being made and meet the makers.

Practice

Join a hands-on Carnival float building workshop with a verified artisan, or commission a piece.

Experience it

Book the Carnival float building experience

Want to see Carnival float building being made? Tell us when and where you'd like to visit the artisans, and we'll confirm the details.

Learn it, or commission it

Learn Carnival float building hands-on, or commission a piece from the artisans

Every artisan WRIKSH connects you with has been personally verified. Tell us whether you'd like a workshop for yourself or a group, a visit to the artisans, or a commissioned piece — and we'll arrange it.

See it

Festivals where Carnival float building lives

Seasonal

Goa · 6 – 9 Feb 2027

Carnival

The days of music and parades before Lent, brought to Goa in the Portuguese era. King Momo opens the festivities, and decorated floats roll through Panjim, Margao, Vasco and Mapusa.

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