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the unmissable Carnival of Martinique
Martinique Carnival 2026
The iconic Martinique Carnival is fast approaching. Festivities, originality, and conviviality are on the agenda.
Don't miss this popular event, which is highly prized by locals and tourists alike. We'll tell you everything you need to know!
Dates for Martinique Carnival 2026
For four days, music, dance, and costumes tell the story and express the pride of the Martinican people. From Shrove Sunday to Ash Wednesday, each day has its own color and atmosphere.
Shrove Sunday: Official opening and removal of Vaval.
📅 : February 15, 2026
👹 Theme: coming soon ; 🎨 Dress code: Multicolored
Shrove Monday: Burlesque weddings and role reversal.
📅 : February 16, 2026
👹 Theme: Burlesque weddings_ 🎨 Colors: White
Mardi Gras: Grand red parade with devils and flamboyant floats.
📅 : February 17, 2026
👹 Theme: Empty in Red 🎨 Colors: Red
Ash Wednesday: Mourning of Vaval, black and white processions, cremation of the king.
📅 : February 18, 2026
Marinique Carnival dates not to be missed in 2026
The 2026 Carnival program has not yet been released, but information will be available soon. Discover the 2026 program
The grand parades and carnival celebrations:
The Grand Parade of the South: information to follow
The Grand Parade of the North: information to follow
The Lorrain Parade: information to follow
The pajama party at Schoelcher: information to follow
The pajama party at Bellefontaine: information to follow
The Junior Carnival: information to follow
The Martinique Carnival: an integral part of the country's history
Born in the city of Saint Pierre, the Carnival of Martinique mixes African culture and European Catholic tradition. During the 17th and 18th centuries, it was reserved for the island's rich colonists who organized large masked balls in the European style.
In 1848, the Carnival underwent its first major change. With the end of slavery, the festivities opened up to a wider public and became more popular. Carnival traditions were enriched by the Creole culture, its beliefs, its instruments and its dances.
Later, in 1902, the eruption of Mount Pelee interrupted the life of the island. 30 000 people died in the disaster. The mourning Martinique will suspend the Carnival for two years.
Today, the tradition of Carnival continues and gives him each year to a festival in Martinique, mainly in Fort-de-France. If you are in the city in February, it will be very difficult for you to escape!
© Crédit source : Kay Radio
Join the Carnaval de fort de france parades
The parades begin after Epiphany, in early January. Every weekend, during the Carnival period, many activities await you. Events consisting of street bands and people in disguise parade through all the municipalities of the island.
These parades already announce the color of the festivities to come. The most important Carnival events take place during the fat days: Sunday, Monday, Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday (from February 23 to February 26). Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday are public holidays in Martinique.
Ash Wednesday symbolizes the end of Carnival and the beginning of Lent. The carnival emblem called "Vaval" is burned to mark the end of the festivities. Everyone gathers around this giant fire and mourns the death of the king of Vaval.
In each commune, the Martinique people organize the election of their queen. The latter will then march at the head of the parade in Saint-Pierre.
Join the Fort-de-France Carnival parades
The parades begin after Epiphany, at the start of January. Every weekend during Carnival season, there are lots of activities to enjoy. Street bands and people in costume parade through every town on the island.
These parades set the tone for the festivities to come. The highlights of Carnival take place during Mardi Gras: Sunday, Monday, Shrove Tuesday, and Ash Wednesday (February 19 to February 22). Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday are public holidays in Martinique.
Ash Wednesday symbolizes the end of Carnival and the beginning of Lent. The emblem of the carnival, called "Vaval," is burned to mark the end of the festivities. Everyone gathers around this giant fire and mourns the death of the King of Vaval.
In each town, the people of Martinique organize the election of their queen. The queens then lead the parade in Saint-Pierre.
The iconic characters of Carnival in Martinique
Discover the iconic characters and become an expert on Carnival in Martinique.
Vaval
The ephemeral king of carnival, he symbolizes the excesses and hopes of the year. Vaval is the emblematic figure of Martinique's Carnival: a symbolic "king of carnival" who embodies the spirit of celebration, social satire, and renewal. Credit : @martiniquela1ere
Nèg Gwo Siwo
The Nèg Gwo Siwo are an iconic feature of Martinique's Carnival: participants whose bodies are completely covered in sugarcane molasses (siwo) and charcoal or soot, in homage to the maroon slaves who, during the colonial era, escaped from plantations and hid in the forest.
Men of clay
Covered entirely in mud, they evoke ancestors and spirits of the earth. They wander the streets during the festive season, integrated into the carnival procession, and act as both a visual and symbolic spectacle.
The Red Devils
The Red Devils of Martinique's carnival: flamboyant costumes and spectacular masks set the streets alight during this highlight of Martinique's carnival celebrations.
Burlesque brides
The Burlesque Wedding is an iconic tradition of the Martinique carnival where roles are reversed: men dress up as brides and women as grooms in a joyful and satirical parody of weddings.
Marianne Lapo Fig
Every year during the Martinique carnival, Marianne Lapo Fig parades through the streets, marking her presence with her plant-like silhouette. She is a reminder of African heritage, popular creativity, and the enduring nature of festive traditions.
💡Europcar Martinique advice :
For all carnival events in downtown Fort-de-France, we advise you to arrive between 1 and 2 hours in advance.
Parking is difficult in this area and parking spaces are scarce, given the number of participants and spectators of the carnival.
Know the dates of this year's carnival
All closed and open parking lots in downtown Fort-de-France are free during the fat days. Among them :
Cour Perrinon parking lot
Parking of Pointe-Simon
Parking de la Savane.
Finally, don't worry about the climate, at this time of the year in Martinique, it is about 28°C in the shade.
Rent a car to participate in the carnivals
Carnival festivities take place in every city on the island. Why not take full advantage of it and organize a road trip to the celebrations on the island? Attend the different Miss Carnival elections and enjoy the carnival atmosphere.
We put at your disposal a fleet of vehicles to travel the roads of Martinique in all serenity. Family cars or 4x4, choose the mode of transport that suits you best.
EXPLORE OUR OTHER ARTICLES
Visiting Martinique in March
Discover Martinique in March, the perfect month for an unforgettable vacation. With pleasant temperatures of 24°C to 30°C and a sea temperature of 26°C, enjoy heavenly beaches, hikes like Montagne Pelée, and local culture. Attend the Carnival in early March and explore Fort-de-France with its markets and historic sites. March in Martinique combines relaxation and discovery under the Caribbean sun.
High season in Martinique
The high season in Martinique runs from December to April. This is the best time to discover the island: the temperatures are pleasant and the rainfall low. For a metropolitan it is the promise of sun and idleness in the middle of winter.
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