Carnaval de Drancy

The Carnaval de Drancy: A Festive and Popular Tradition

The Carnaval de Drancy is one of the most anticipated events in the festive calendar of this town in Seine-Saint-Denis. Every year, children, families, associations, and residents gather for a grand costume parade that winds through the streets of the town center, transforming Drancy into an explosion of colors, music, and popular joy. Organized by the city's Childhood Service in collaboration with leisure centers and neighborhood associations, the carnival is the culmination of several weeks of collective preparation.

Costume Making: A Collective Effort

Children enrolled in Drancy's leisure centers participate in costume-making workshops in the weeks leading up to the carnival. These creative workshops, led by educators and artists, allow children to create their own costumes related to the annual theme. This participatory aspect is at the heart of the spirit of the Carnaval de Drancy: every participant is an actor in the celebration, not just a spectator. Families wishing to join with their children outside of the leisure centers are welcome to join the parade from 9:45 AM at Place de l'Hôtel de Ville.

Imaginative Themes That Change Annually

The Carnaval de Drancy stands out for the creativity of its annual themes, which invite participants on a journey through time and imagination. The 2026 edition featured three universes inspired by mythical tales: the Vikings, with their longships and Norse mythology, Ancient Greece, its gods, heroes, and legendary temples, and the enchanted forest populated by dragons and princesses, bringing fairy tales to life. These themes lead to particularly elaborate and creative costumes, ranging from Viking warrior helmets to Greek goddess tunics or medieval knight armor.

Félix, the Carnival Mascot

A welcome new addition to the Carnaval de Drancy is the appearance of Félix, the new mascot of the city's Childhood Service, who now leads the procession from a float specially decorated in his likeness. This anthropomorphic mascot, created to embody the values of joy, inclusion, and creativity of the Childhood Service, has quickly become a beloved character for the children of Drancy and gives the carnival an additional identity.

Drancy, A Town with a Rich History

Drancy is a commune in Seine-Saint-Denis with approximately 75,000 inhabitants, known for its particularly poignant history: the Drancy internment camp, which served as a transit point for tens of thousands of Jews deported to Nazi extermination camps during World War II, is now a memorial site and museum. In this context, the carnival represents the vitality and joy of a town that has turned the page while maintaining the duty of remembrance. This popular festival, accessible to all, is an affirmative act of collective life and the Drancy community.