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Every year in Winter, the people of Dunkirk take over the streets to celebrate France’s noisiest carnival with a colourful vibe enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Let’s find out more about the joyful Dunkirk Carnival. Watch our short video presentation about Mardi Gras in France: The Dunkirk Carnival is renowned for its vivid celebrations, marked by extravagant costumes, traditional fisherman's attire, and parades that fill the streets every weekend. One of the main attractions, “La Bande de Dunkerque,” takes place on the Sunday before Mardi Gras (the final day of Carnival), drawing the largest crowds. Mardi Gras and Carnival refer to eating more decadent, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of Lent. In France, this festive season comes with sumptuous public celebrations or parades (‘les carnavals‘) in many French towns and schools. Dunkerque is a small coastal town with a big port – anyone arriving in or departing from France via Dunkirk ferry port might be forgiven for thinking that it’s a bit of a dreary and dull place. Subscribe to France 24 now: 24 live news stream: all the latest news 24/7 Dunkirk Carnival is one of th International visitors to the Dunkirk Carnival will often go dressed up in traditional costumes from their home countries, everyone is welcome to participate! Check out our selection of villas in Northern France. If you are inspired to spend mardi gras in France, we have loads of choices when it comes to accommodation. Each year between January and March, Dunkirk Carnival sweeps through the whole city in an incredible mixture of sounds, colours and lights. The origins of the carnival date back to the early 17th century: the sailors went away for many months to fish for cod near Newfoundland and Iceland, and their departure was an opportunity for a meal and a big party. It is celebrated in the area of Dunkirk and lasts for multiple weekends in February. Origins The origins of the event date back to the 17th century, where the sailors were getting ready to go out to sea for weeks around Mardi Gras (Pancake Day). The Dunkirk Carnival is one of the largest and most popular in France. In the three days before Mardi Gras, people dress up in costumes, sing in the street and gather in front of the town hall to In medieval France, Mardi Gras became a significant part of the Carnival season, characterized by masked balls, parades, and feasting. The name “Fat Tuesday” reflects the tradition of eating richly before the 40-day fast of Lent – in French, le Carême. This year, Mardi Gras falls on March 4th 2025. Mardi Gras and Carnaval season in France is traditionally a time for indulging in rich, fatty foods before the austerity of Lent. The festivities are marked by vibrant public celebrations and parades featuring outdoor feasts, masquerades, masked balls, and performances from magicians and stilt walke Celebrations are a lengthy process, taking place regularly throughout January, February and March. Head to the official Dunkirk Festival website to see a calendar of events. Ready to celebrate Mardi Gras in France? Book your ferry to from Dover to Calais now. Or find out more about carnivals and festivals in France. Featured image by Julien Ricard. In the northern French city of Dunkirk, thousands of people look forward to carnival season every year. As Mardi Gras approaches, the carnival transforms the The date of Mardi Gras is influenced by when Easter falls, and changes each year accordingly. Where does Mardi Gras come from? Mardi Gras is traditionally the last day of Carnival, and comes from the Italian carnis levare, which means ‘to take away the meat’. It refers to the last ‘fat’ meals eaten before Lent. The Mardi Gras marks the end of the festive period including Epiphany and Chandeleur and the start of the fasting period. In modern France, Mardi Gras is widely celebrated in the country where kids dress up to go to school. This fest is particularly celebrated in the city of Dunkirk, in the north of France, with exuberance, noise and colours. The essence of the Carnival de Mardi Gras in France lies in its inclusive nature, where all are encouraged to don elaborate disguises and immerse themselves in the joyous festivities. Origin of the Carnival . Mardi Gras historically marked the culmination of a week-long festivity preceding Lent, a forty-day period of fasting leading up to Easter. Mardi Gras in Dunkirk, Northern France. The people of Dunkirk follow a Mardi Gras ritual that started in the 17 th century when fishing was the main occupation in and around the Northern coastal 4. Carnival of Dunkirk. Carnival de Dunkerque in March which deserves special mention, though it is not really a Mardi Gras carnival. Being on the coast in Hauts-de-France (Northern France), this is a fisherman’s carnival. In the northern French city of Dunkirk, thousands of people look forward to carnival season every year. As Mardi Gras approaches, the carnival transforms the city: the Black Cat Ball, fancy From a religious perspective, carnival is a time of celebration before a period of fasting. Mardi Gras marks the end of the festivities. For Christians, Mardi Gras is an opportunity to enjoy rich and hearty foods one last time before starting a dietary restraint. Doughnuts were prepared to avoid wasting eggs and butter.
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