Mont-de-Marsan Carnival

The Mont-de-Marsan Carnival: the festive winter event of the Landes prefecture

Each year at the end of winter, Mont-de-Marsan, prefecture of Landes, celebrates its carnival in a festive and popular atmosphere. Organized by the municipality, this day of festivities transforms the city center into a vast space of revelry, bringing together thousands of costumed participants and spectators of all ages.

The parade: the carnival procession

The highlight of the Montois carnival is the parade, a colorful procession that starts from Place Charles-de-Gaulle and winds through the streets of the city center. Costumed groups, decorated floats, bands, and percussionists liven up this joyful and noisy parade. Each year, a theme is proposed to inspire costumes, although participation is free and open to all.

The cremation of San Pansar

An unmissable tradition of the Gascon carnival, the cremation of San Pansar is the culmination of the day. This straw figure, a symbolic scapegoat blamed for all the misfortunes of the past year, is burned in a public square in a festive ritual that marks the end of the carnival and the hope for renewal. In Mont-de-Marsan, this ceremony takes place at 4 PM sharp and is a moment of popular gathering.

Activities and workshops

The Mont-de-Marsan carnival offers a program of activities throughout the day:

• Landes Regional Fair: located on the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, it offers games, workshops, and collective creation of a giant fresco
• Face painting workshops: for children and teenagers before the parade, to perfect their costumes
• Dancing activities: Just Dance and other musical activities to warm up the atmosphere before the parade
• Carousels: located on Place Pancaut for the greatest joy of families

A theme renewed each year

Each edition of the Mont-de-Marsan carnival revolves around an original theme chosen by the municipality. In 2026, the theme “Journey through time” invites participants to dress up as historical or futuristic characters, stimulating everyone's creativity. This thematic thread gives coherence and a unique identity to each edition.

Mont-de-Marsan, city of festivals

With its famous Feria de la Madeleine in July, its festivals, and now its revitalized carnival, Mont-de-Marsan confirms its commitment to celebration and Gascon traditions. The carnival is part of this festive dynamic that makes the prefecture of Landes proud.