Karnaval Solidaire

Karnaval Solidaire: Celebration, Solidarity, and Commitment on the La Doua Campus

Karnaval Solidaire is a self-managed student festival that animates the La Doua campus in Villeurbanne, in the Lyon metropolitan area, every spring. Founded in 1993 by students from INSA Lyon, it has become over the years an unmissable event in the associative and cultural life of the campus and the neighborhood.

A Solidarity and Committed Festival

The primary mission of Karnaval Solidaire is to combine celebration and solidarity. All profits from the festival are donated to a charity selected each year by the organizing team. In 2025, the profits were donated to the association C.L.A.S.S.E.S, which supports families in great precarity with their children's schooling. This solidarity dimension has been at the heart of the festival's identity since its creation.

A Week of Eclectic Festivities

Karnaval Solidaire unfolds over a full week, with a rich and varied program. The days are dedicated to conferences, workshops-debates, screen printing workshops, and activities on the Pelouse des Humanités of the campus. The festival offers committed catering, with local and seasonal products.

The evenings feature a diverse musical program: open stage (La Marmite), folk ball with traditional music groups, and concert nights mixing dub, punk, techno, and many other genres. A carnivalesque parade crosses the streets of Villeurbanne on Thursday afternoon, a festive highlight of the week.

A Self-Managed and Eco-Responsible Festival

Karnaval Solidaire is driven by about forty volunteers, mainly students from INSA Lyon. The festival advocates for a self-managed, alternative, and eco-responsible organization, with particular attention paid to waste sorting, reducing environmental impact, and the accessibility of the event for all audiences.

Over 30 Years of Committed Festivities

For over 30 years, Karnaval Solidaire has made the La Doua campus and the streets of Villeurbanne vibrate to the rhythm of music, dance, and civic engagement. Beyond the spring festival, the association also organizes concerts in October, participates in the Fête de la Musique in June, and offers shared meals throughout the year.