The famous carnival in Nice returns after two years

The party vibe returned to Nice after a year's absence as the city welcomed back its annual carnival parade.

On Saturday night, spectators flocked to see the French city come alive with colorful floats strolling through the streets and dancers entertaining crowds in a variety of stunning outfits.

The theme for this year's parade was King of Animals, which saw many of the floats adorned in honor of members of the animal kingdom.

Last year's carnival was postponed due to fears about the coronavirus outbreak.

Along with the Brazilian Carnival, Venetian Carnival, and New Orleans' Mardi Gras, the Nice Carnival is one of the world's major carnival festivities. It takes place in Nice, France, every year in February or early March (depending on the moveable date of Carnival in the Christian calendar).

It was first mentioned in 1294, when the Count of Provence, Charles Anjou, wrote that he had spent "the pleasant days of carnival." As a result, the Nice Carnival could be considered the first carnival celebration.

In 1873, a Carnival committee was formed, led by local artist Alexis Mossa, with assistance from his son Gustav-Adolf Mossa later on. Masquerades, satirical floats, and competitions were added to the Carnival, which was transformed into a parade.

Every year, almost a million people visit Nice for the two-week event.