Willer-sur-Thur Cavalcade

The Willer-sur-Thur Cavalcade: Alsace's First Carnival of the Season

Nestled in the Thur Valley, between Thann and the foothills of the Vosges, the commune of Willer-sur-Thur has, in a few years, become the starting point for the Alsatian carnival season. Every third weekend of January, this small town in the Haut-Rhin hosts a spectacular cavalcade that officially launches the carnival festivities throughout the region.

A Young and Ambitious Carnival

The Willer-sur-Thur Carnival is a recent creation, born in the early 2020s under the impetus of the association Les Rebelles de la Thur. Despite its youth, the event has very quickly gained importance and notoriety. In just a few editions, it has managed to bring together over 1,000 carnival-goers divided into forty groups, with around 35 decorated floats, Guggen Musik bands, Waggis, and majorettes — impressive figures that testify to the dynamism of this young tradition.

A Weekend of Celebration and Tradition

The carnival unfolds over two days:

• On Saturday evening, the carnival ball opens the festivities at the multi-purpose hall starting at 7:30 p.m. Hosted by a DJ, this costume party is all about fun, music, and carnival tradition. The highlight of the evening is the election of the Carnival Queen, who will preside over the next day's cavalcade.
• On Sunday, festivities begin at 11 a.m. with on-site catering. At 2 p.m., the grand cavalcade sets off through the streets of Willer-sur-Thur. The impressive procession, composed of decorated floats, costumed groups, mischievous Waggis, and Guggen Musik bands, travels through the village before thousands of spectators. After the parade, the entertainment continues with Guggen Musik performances and the musical atmosphere provided by DJ Seb, while the band Thurthalers provides entertainment in the hall.

Les Rebelles de la Thur: The Spirit of Carnival

The association Les Rebelles de la Thur is the driving force behind this carnival. Composed of enthusiasts from the Thur Valley, they work all year round to organize an event that grows in scale with each edition. Their ambition: to make Willer-sur-Thur an unmissable carnival destination in the Haut-Rhin, while preserving the friendly and popular spirit that characterizes Alsatian carnivals.

A Carnival That Kicks Off the Season

The timing of the Willer-sur-Thur Cavalcade — in January, well before Mardi Gras — makes it the very first major carnival in Alsace each year. This strategic positioning attracts carnival-goers and spectators from all over the region, eager to launch a season that will then continue in Moosch, Riedisheim, Mulhouse, Colmar, and dozens of other Alsatian towns until April.