Carnaval de Belfort

The Carnaval de Belfort: a popular festival rooted in the city

Every year in March, the City of Belfort celebrates its Carnival. Organized by the City and the Belfort Festival Committee, in partnership with socio-cultural centers and neighborhood houses, the carnival is one of the most popular and anticipated events of the year in the Territoire de Belfort. Each edition brings together thousands of spectators in the streets of the city center.

Monumental and creative floats

The highlight of the carnival is the float parade, a true demonstration of creativity and collective effort. The floats are conceived and built over the preceding months by volunteers from the Festival Committee, the teams of the Oïkos socio-cultural center, and the neighborhood houses of Forges, Vieille-Ville, and Centre-Ville. Each edition follows an annual theme that guides the design of the floats: travel and transport, medieval times, circus, cinema... Creativity and humor are at the heart of these artisanal creations.

Brass bands and music at the heart of the parade

The floats are not alone: throughout the route, brass bands and musical groups liven up the procession and get the spectators dancing. The festive and participatory atmosphere is the hallmark of the Belfort carnival. The musicians, often local amateurs or invited groups, give the parade a musical and joyful dimension.

The parade route

The parade starts in the early afternoon from the Parking de l'Arsenal, before winding through the main streets of Belfort city center. The procession crosses Boulevard Sadi-Carnot, Place Georges-Corbis, and Faubourg de France, allowing as many spectators as possible to enjoy the show along the route. It then returns to its starting point for the traditional closing.

The burning of Monsieur Carnaval

As carnival tradition dictates, the parade ends with the burning of Monsieur Carnaval, a symbolic moment that concludes the festivities in a spirit of popular celebration. This ancient tradition, shared by many European carnivals, marks the end of winter and the return of spring. For children and adults alike, it is the highlight of the day, in a spectacle of fire and color.