Venetian Carnival of Longwy
16th edition on May 2 and 3, 2026 — The magic of Venice in the heart of the city of enamels
About Venetian Carnival of Longwy
La LongoVénitienne: when Longwy dresses in the colors of Venice
Since its first edition in 2009, the Venetian Carnival of Longwy — named La LongoVénitienne — has established itself as one of the most spectacular events in the Grand Est region. For a weekend in May, the city of Longwy, famous for its Vauban fortifications listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and its enamels, transforms into a small Lorraine Venice. It welcomes dozens of costumed participants from all over France, as well as from Belgium, Germany, and Italy.
A tribute to Lorraine's Italian heritage
The Venetian Carnival was born in 2009 in a context rich in history: Lorraine, and particularly the Longwy basin, has a significant community of Italian origin, heir to waves of worker immigration linked to the steel industry. The event celebrates this dual cultural identity and annually invites Italian troupes — such as the San Lorenzo flag throwers or the Pavullese group — to share their folklore. The organization of the event is carried out by the association La LongoVénitienne, created in 2014, in partnership with the City of Longwy.
Sumptuous parades in a heritage setting
The highlight of the Venetian Carnival is the costumed parade, a true open-air fashion show where participants display exceptionally rich and meticulous outfits. Crinoline dresses, hand-painted Venetian masks, feathered tricorn hats, velvet capes, and sparkling jewelry create a dazzling visual spectacle in the city streets. The costumed participants pose in front of Longwy's heritage sites — Place Darche, Porte de France, Hôtel de Ville — offering striking living tableaux.
A rich program of activities
Beyond the parades, the Venetian Carnival offers a complete program of activities for all audiences. Concerts by baroque ensembles (Quam Dilecta), Italian music (Tornero), and itinerant shows (Voyage Fantastique with its stilt walkers, airships, and imaginary hot-air balloons) punctuate the two days. A Venetian market offers art crafts, masks, jewelry, glassware, and Italian gastronomic specialties. Creative workshops allow children to make their own masks, supervised by the Point Jeunes team, and to learn fencing with the Cercle d'Escrime du Pays-Haut.
A unifying event for the city
The Venetian Carnival of Longwy is supported by the association La LongoVénitienne and the municipality, with the help of many passionate volunteers. It contributes to the cultural and tourist influence of Longwy, a UNESCO-labeled city for its Vauban fortifications. The event attracts approximately 7,000 visitors each year from across the Grand Est region and neighboring countries (Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany). It participates in the network of Venetian carnivals in France, alongside Castres, Remiremont, and Annecy.
Venetian Carnival of Longwy — edition 2026
The 16th edition of the Longwy Venetian Carnival was held on May 2 and 3, 2026, on Place Darche and around the Porte de France. Nearly 200 carnival participants were announced, coming from all over France, Belgium, Germany, and Italy. The official report from the town hall mentions approximately 120 costumed participants present during the weekend, who brought the city of enamels to life despite the rain on Sunday. On the program: parades, processions, baroque concerts, itinerant shows, a Venetian market, and workshops for children.
16th Edition — May 2 and 3, 2026 (past edition)
The Longwy Venetian Carnival celebrated its 16th edition on May 2 and 3, 2026. The city was once again adorned with the colors of Venice with parades of sumptuous costumes, concerts, street shows, entertainment for all audiences, and a Venetian market. The highlight of the weekend was the carnival participants' parade on Saturday at 4:30 PM on Place Darche and the grand parade on Sunday at 3:30 PM at the Porte de France.
Guest Troupes
This edition welcomed several Italian troupes:
- San Lorenzo Flag Throwers — group founded in 1984 perpetuating the medieval traditions of their region of origin.
- Pavullese Group — Italian troupe with lively traditional dances.
- Voyage Fantastique — itinerant stilt-walker show with imaginary airships and hot-air balloons.
- Quam Dilecta — baroque vocal and instrumental ensemble directed by Jean-Christophe Frisch.
- Tornero — formation celebrating Italian music: variety, pop, traditional rhythms, and 80s hits.
Official Report
The municipality hailed it as «a true success» and thanked the associations and partners who made the organization possible. Despite a rainy Sunday, the public came in large numbers to admire the carnival participants.
Programme Venetian Carnival of Longwy 2026
Saturday, May 2, 2026
- 11:30 AM — Concert Quam Dilecta · Place Darche (under marquee)
- 2:00 PM — Carnival Opening
- 2:00 PM-5:00 PM — Fencing workshops (Cercle d'Escrime du Pays-Haut) and Venetian mask creation (Point Jeunes) · Porte de France
- 2:00 PM-6:00 PM — San Lorenzo Flag Throwers, Voyage Fantastique (stilt-walkers), Pavullese Group · itinerant entertainment between Place Darche and Porte de France
- 4:30 PM — Carnival Participants' Parade · Place Darche
- 5:30 PM — Official photos of the carnival participants · Hôtel de Ville
- 6:30 PM — Itinerant Finale
- 7:30 PM — Concert Tornero · Place Darche (under marquee)
Sunday, May 3, 2026
- 2:00 PM — Carnival Opening
- 2:00 PM-5:00 PM — Fencing and Venetian mask workshops · Porte de France
- 2:30 PM-5:00 PM — Pavullese Group, Voyage Fantastique, San Lorenzo Flag Throwers, Quam Dilecta concert
- 3:30 PM — Grand Parade of Carnival Participants · Porte de France
- 6:00 PM — Weekend Finale
Continuous over both days
- Venetian market: crafts, masks, glassware, Italian gastronomic specialties
- Exhibition of Italian cars (Italian Retro Cars association)
- Catering: Italian specialties, crepes, ice cream, drinks
Highlights Venetian Carnival of Longwy 2026
- 16th edition of the Venetian Carnival (created in 2009)
- Dates: May 2 and 3, 2026
- Nearly 200 carnival participants announced (France, Belgium, Germany, Italy)
- Parades on Place Darche and grand parade at Porte de France
- Guest Italian troupes: San Lorenzo, Pavullese, Tornero
- Baroque concerts (Quam Dilecta), itinerant shows (Voyage Fantastique)
- Children's workshops: fencing and Venetian masks
- Venetian market and Italian catering
- Free admission
Prices Venetian Carnival of Longwy 2026
Practical information — Venetian Carnival of Longwy
Practical Information
Locations
The Venetian Carnival takes place in the fortified city of Longwy-Haut, mainly on Place Darche (the heart of the Carnival, with a marquee for concerts) and around the Porte de France (workshops, concerts, and parades). Official photos of the carnival participants are taken in front of the Hôtel de Ville.
Address: Place Darche and Porte de France, 54400 Longwy.
Access
By car: Longwy is located in the far north of Meurthe-et-Moselle, on the border with Luxembourg and Belgium. Accessible via the A30 motorway (Longwy exit). Free parking in the city.
By train: Longwy station, served by TER trains from Metz (approx. 1 hour) and Luxembourg (30 min).
From Luxembourg: Longwy is approximately 30 minutes from Luxembourg City.
Dates
The Venetian Carnival usually takes place on the first weekend of May (Saturday and Sunday).
Prices
Access to parades, concerts, and street entertainment is completely free. Some specific activities may require prior registration (children's workshops in particular).
Catering
Venetian market with food stalls: Italian specialties, crepes, ice cream, drinks, and local products.
Contact
Longwy Town Hall: 03 82 44 54 00
La LongoVénitienne Association: 03 82 44 81 72
Website: www.mairie-longwy.fr
Facebook: La LongoVénitienne
Practical tips
Consult the detailed program before your visit to plan your trip. In case of bad weather, some activities may be modified or canceled. Follow La LongoVénitienne's Facebook page for the latest information and updates.
Accommodation
For visitors coming from afar, Longwy and its surroundings offer various accommodation options: hotels, bed and breakfasts, gîtes, and holiday rentals. It is advisable to book in advance during the Carnival period. The local tourist office can provide information on availability.
Accessibility
The event strives to be accessible to all audiences, including people with reduced mobility. For any specific questions regarding accessibility, do not hesitate to contact the organizers in advance.
To discover nearby
Take advantage of your visit to Longwy to discover the UNESCO-listed Vauban fortifications, the Musée des Émaux et Faïences (Enamel and Earthenware Museum), and the rich steel heritage of Pays-Haut. The Meurthe-et-Moselle department is full of historical sites, museums, natural parks, and Lorraine gastronomic specialties to discover throughout the year.
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Where does it take place — Venetian Carnival of Longwy
Centre-ville de Longwy
Place Darche, 54400 Longwy, 54400 Longwy