I was just wondering is a carnival and a fair the same thing, are they just synonyms or is there a difference between the two. DeadMan000. Well, they're pretty much the same. Although, my friend elaborates that a carnival is more of a show and a fair is either a carnival or just a display for goods. A carnival is primarily a parade of costumed people. A fair is primarily a display of products. A circus is primarily performances by trained animals and acrobats.