<P> Since the 1960s, the festival got a boost after the end of Portuguese rule in Goa . From a rural - based festival sometimes taken over by boisterousness, it grew into an urban floats - based parade, where commercial entities and cultural groups play a significantly bigger role . It is still organised in a very traditional manner, including by the staging of streetside local plays, in the coastal Catholic - majority taluka of Salcete . </P> <P> According to the government of Goa's Department of Tourism, the carnival is "Goa's most famous festival and has been celebrated since the 18th century ." </P> <P> In 2017, the festival was celebrated from 25--28 February . In the urban areas, the float parades were held in state - capital Panjim (Panaji) on 25 February, Margao on 26 February, Vasco da Gama on 27 February, and Mapusa on 28 February . </P>

When was goa carnival cruise held in 2017