Colmar Carnival

The Colmar Carnival: an Alsatian institution since 1961

Each year, at the end of winter, the streets of Colmar come alive to the rhythm of the carnival. Born in 1901 in the form of occasional carnival festivities, the tradition took a decisive turn on June 21, 1961, with the creation of the Colmar Carnival Association. From this first modern edition, the grand Sunday afternoon parade was a great success. A few years later, the founding members added the children's parade on Saturday, thus offering a full weekend of festivities to the capital of Alsace wines.

Two parades for two days of celebration

The Colmar Carnival unfolds over two distinct days, each with its own parade:

• On Saturday afternoon, the children's parade starts at 2:30 PM from Rue Vauban. Schools, leisure centers, associations, and families parade in colorful costumes, accompanied by music and entertainment. The procession heads to the Ladhof gymnasium where the festivities continue.
• On Sunday afternoon, the grand parade starts at 2:30 PM from Place du Saumon and crosses the historic center of Colmar. More than a dozen decorated floats, brass bands, majorettes, and numerous costumed groups make up a spectacular procession that attracts thousands of spectators gathered along the route.

An association dedicated to the celebration

Since its founding, the Colmar Carnival Association has been the driving force behind the event. Currently presided over by Claude Sembach (in office since July 2017), it brings together around 90 volunteers who work year-round to prepare the parades. Their mission: to make the Colmar Carnival one of the most prestigious in Alsace, in a spirit of conviviality, friendship, and mutual aid.

Every autumn, the association organizes the election of the Carnival Queen, who will preside over the festivities. In 2026, Manon Lépine was crowned Queen.

A popular and free event

The Colmar Carnival is an entirely free event, open to all. It is one of the most anticipated events of the Colmar winter, making the heart of the old town vibrate in a joyful and family-friendly atmosphere. Local and regional groups, sometimes coming from beyond the borders, bring their share of surprises, music, and confetti each year, perpetuating this carnival tradition dear to Alsace.

An exceptional setting

Parading through the streets of Colmar means crossing a postcard-perfect setting: half-timbered houses, cobbled streets, and historic squares offer a unique backdrop for the colorful processions. The route is designed to offer excellent visibility to spectators while highlighting the city's architectural heritage, listed among the most beautiful cities in Alsace.