New Orleans has Mardi Gras. But Belgium’s got the CARNIVAL OF BINCHE. The famously offbeat festival, which brightens the town of Binche just 30 miles from Brussels, curls through the streets in a parade of live music and quirky costumed characters. It culminates on Shrove Tuesday, when revelers dressed in Belgium’s national colors march to Binche’s Grand Place for what’s been called the world’s largest food fight. Actually, they toss thousands of oranges to the crowd. This year’s festival kicks off March 2. www.visitbelgium.com