2027 Dunkirk Carnival Dates

The Carnival season lasts for three months, with the highlight of the Dunkirk Carnival falling during Mardi Gras week. Some carnival-goers even take time off work to enjoy this sacred time of year! You’ll need an iron constitution to keep up with the pace, between Saturday night Carnival balls and the Sunday, Monday and Tuesday parades…!

The highlights of Carnival

This year, Carnival runs from 3 January to 17 April.

Highlights:
Saturday 16 January: Chat Noir Carnival Ball
Saturday 6 February: Oncle Cô Carnival Ball
Sunday 7 February: Dunkirk Carnival Parade, Acharnés Carnival Ball
Monday 8 February: Citadelle Carnival Parade
Tuesday 9 February: Rosendaël Carnival Parade
Saturday 13 February: Gigolos et Gigolettes Carnival Ball
Sunday 14 February: Malo-les-Bains Carnival Parade, Violette Carnival Ball

All the dates

Saturday Night Carnival Balls

<escape>In the Kursaal’s vast hall, the celebrations continue with Carnival balls on Saturday nights (and sometimes on Fridays and Sundays too), bringing together more than 8,000 carnival-goers dressed in their finest clet’che (Carnival costumes).

Swept up in a colourful whirlwind, the music from the orchestra and DJs keeps the carnival-goers dancing until the early hours.

Tired carnival-goers can take the bus home for free, thanks to DK Bus. And since every effort deserves its reward, chip stalls will be waiting for you outside the Kursaal, in the Digue des Alliés car park.

All Carnival ball dates and ticket outlets</escape>