Dunkirk carnival

If you are driving to France over the winter, you won’t want to miss the visual spectacle that is the Dunkirk carnival. 

The colourful festival in Northern France owes its vibrancy to the port city’s maritime heritage and unparalleled community spirit. With quirky traditions, events and activities throughout the festival season, the carnival is an unforgettable experience for lovers of music, dance, culture and history.

Book your trip to the French festival and embrace the ‘joie de vivre’ with LeShuttle.

What is the Dunkirk carnival?

The Dunkirk Carnival is a lively, annual festival that is celebrated in the city of Dunkirk. The massive celebration captivates the city for no less than three months, during which tens of thousands of people come together for parties, parades, music, and merriment.

The event, which takes place between January and March is actually marked by several smaller celebrations across the region. These culminate in the “Trois Joyeuses”- the three days before Ash Wednesday – when the festivities explode into gleeful merriment as Mardi Gras approaches.

The history of the festival 

The Dunkirk festival – or Le carnaval de Dunkerque - dates back to the early 17th century and is rooted in the city’s rich maritime heritage. The festival started as small, private parties for the fishermen about to embark on long voyages. As time passed, these ‘send-off parties’ became the city-wide celebrations we see today. Despite growing exponentially, the festival retains its maritime traditions and community spirit is still central to its identity.

Traditions

The festival is well-known for its unique and playful traditions.

Throwing of the herring

One such tradition is the ‘throwing of the herring.’ This quirky custom happens on the Sunday before Mardi Gras, during the Trois Joyeuses. Crowds of merry revellers pack the square before the town hall and begin to demand “the herring they deserve.” At around 5pm, the mayor steps out onto the belfry’s balcony and acquiesces, throwing around 500kg of herring into the hungry horde.

In this tradition, the herring symbolises good fortune and prosperity, so catching one is especially coveted by anyone who doesn’t mind holding on to their slippery boon! 

The humorous tradition brims with collective energy and community spirit making it a truly unmissable experience for residents and visitors alike.

Arrive early to get a good spot & catch a herring! (Photo by Patrick Vandenbussche, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons) 

What to expect at the Dunkirk carnival

Prepare for a whirlwind of colourful costumes, spirited songs, parades, parties and balls when you visit the Dunkirk carnival.

Carnival costumes

It is not enough to go to the carnival; merrymakers must dress for the occasion! The ‘cletches’ – or costumes – are more than just disguises, they embody the carnival-goer’s festival identity and are worn faithfully year after year. 

The focus is usually on homemade and handcrafted designs, harking back to a time when costumes would largely be repurposed and upcycled items from a relative’s wardrobe. The bright and bold costumes include voluminous hats, colourful umbrellas, and fur or faux fur coats, but all sorts of accessories are used to fashion the playful and whimsical carnival characters. Makeup and face paint are essential components of stepping into character and masquelours use it to create fun and fantastical looks.

Unleash your creativity with your cletches for the festival.

Carnival songs

The crowds aren’t just present at Dunkirk carnival, they are the beating heart of this festival - driving it forward with the rhythmic pulse of music. The festive energy is galvanized by revellers breaking out in traditional carnival songs with catchy, satirical, playful (and sometimes lewd!) lyrics.

Why not learn some of the songs before you visit to get into the carnival spirit?

Dunkirk giants

The Dunkirk giants are huge characters that attend the carnival parades. These large wicker figures usually represent historical or mythical figures as well as local heroes. Standing somewhere in the region of 8 metres tall, these effigies add to the larger-than-life atmosphere of the festival and are essential reminders of the city’s folklore and history.

The Dunkirk giants tower over the crowds at Dunkirk Carnival

Parades, street parties & balls

You will have plenty to do on the weekends leading up to Mardi Gras. Parades, street parties and balls pack the city’s calendar, day and night, in the three months leading up to the main event. 

From The Black Cat Ball to the Night of the Rose, each ball has its own unique theme and atmosphere. If you’re visiting France as a family, you’ll also be able to enjoy the Children’s Ball, which has been described as a “carnival school” for little ones to learn about and join in with the carnival spirit.

Carnival sweet treats

You’ll want to keep your energy up for this marathon of merrymaking and while there isn’t a particular food associated with the carnival, (except herring of course!), Dunkirk is known for its exceptional eateries and restaurants. Why not try Moules-Frites – a classic northern French dish of mussels and crispy fries? Or for something sweet, order some golden crepes or fluffy waffles.

Other French carnivals & festivals

Beyond Dunkirk, France hosts a variety of vibrant festivals and carnivals. Head to Nice Carnival in February to enjoy the colourful parades and floats, or travel to Perpignan Carnival in July to enjoy live theatre, dance, and music. 

Music lovers will not want to miss Le Route de Rock – a four-day music festival in Saint-Malo.

Drive to Dunkirk festival with LeShuttle

Driving to the Dunkirk festival is easy with LeShuttle. With crossings taking just 35 minutes, and the drive from Calais to Dunkirk taking just 40 minutes, you’ll be immersed in the revelry in no time.