The Limoux carnival, held from January 25 to April 6, showcases vibrant parades in a medieval setting. Visitors enjoy the spectacle while savoring Blanquette de Limoux, a historic sparkling wine. Dunkirk carnival runs from February 22 to March 8, featuring parades and costumes, celebrating local culture with authentic festivities. Cologne's carnival, from February 28 to March 5, includes the famous Rosenmontag parade, a long-standing tradition that attracts over a million attendees. Each carnival reflects unique local customs and community spirit across Europe.
Having travelled to the area for years, I finally made it to the Limoux carnival last winter. What took me so long?! Every weekend from 25 January until 6 April, you can watch dancers and musicians parade around the medieval square of this beautiful town south of Carcassonne, dressed as ancient pierrots and modern scoundrels (Putin was featured last year), scattering confetti.
To finish the evening, circle around the bandstand together until the final song celebrating 17th-century Dunkirk naval captain and privateer, Jean Bart. The carnival is not a spectacle put on for visitors, it's truly popular and local.
For alternative carnivals in Europe, one place comes to my mind—the incredible six-day carnival in Cologne. More than a million people regularly visit for the Rosenmontag parade (Rose Monday, 3 March this year). This has been running for more than 200 years and covers about five miles of the town centre.
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