· updated
Every year, confetti, brass bands and floats take over the centre of Mulhouse. Organised by the Groupement des Sociétés Mulhousiennes réunies, the Mulhouse Carnival will celebrate its 74th edition from Wednesday 10 to Sunday 14 February 2027, on the theme "Objectif Lune" (Destination Moon). Since 2025, it has been back in the city centre, a few minutes from our crêperie.
The essentials: 74th Mulhouse Carnival from 10 to 14 February 2027, theme "Objectif Lune". The highlight is the weekend of 12 to 14 February, with the International Cavalcade on Sunday 14 February. The parades are free. The detailed programme is published a few weeks before the event on carnaval-mulhouse.com.
Carnival 2027: what we know so far
- Dates: from Wednesday 10 to Sunday 14 February 2027.
- Theme: "Objectif Lune" (Destination Moon).
- Parade weekend: from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 February, with the big International Cavalcade on Sunday 14 February. The start time has not been announced yet; in 2026, the parade set off at 2:31 pm.
- Season opening: Wednesday 11 November 2026 at 11:11 am (doors open from 10:30 am), at 31B route de Kingersheim in Mulhouse, free entry. On the programme: the crowning of the 2027 Prince and the election of the Royal Trio, the queen and her two runners-up (dauphines).
- Detailed programme: the 2027 programme will be posted on carnaval-mulhouse.com a few weeks before the event. We will update this article as soon as it is out.
When does the Carnival take place?
The Mulhouse Carnival is held the week before the Basel Fasnacht. In recent years, it has started on Ash Wednesday and ended on the following Sunday. Its date therefore changes every year with Easter, between February and early March.
| Edition | Dates | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 (72nd) | 5 to 9 March | "Les 800 ans de Mulhouse" (Mulhouse's 800th anniversary) |
| 2026 (73rd) | 18 to 22 February | "La fête des fous" (the Feast of Fools) |
| 2027 (74th) | 10 to 14 February | "Objectif Lune" (Destination Moon) |
In 2027, the Basel Fasnacht takes place from Monday 15 to Wednesday 17 February, right after the Mulhouse Carnival.
A typical programme
Until the 2027 programme is out, here is how the 2026 edition unfolded:
- Wednesday: children's day, free, with games, confetti battles and a children's parade.
- Friday evening: the arrival of Prince Carnival, by boat, followed by his parade to Place de la Réunion, where the mayor hands him the keys to the city. Then a confetti battle.
- Saturday afternoon: the Waggis and float parades in the city centre, followed by the "Nuit des fous" (Night of Fools).
- Sunday afternoon: the International Cavalcade, the big parade, starting from Place de la Réunion. In 2026, it brought together 35 floats and more than 2,000 participants.
The parades are free. The evening events in the marquee require the carnival badge or medal.
The route
In 2026, the cavalcade crossed the historic centre over about 2 km: Place des Victoires, rue du Sauvage, rue Franklin, rue Henriette and Place de la Réunion. The 2027 route will be announced with the programme. According to the organiser, the Carnival draws around 150,000 spectators over three days.
Our practical tips
- Come by tram: the centre is very busy during the parades. If you drive, use the P+Tram park-and-ride car parks (€2 including the return tram trip for everyone in the car). All our tips are in the Mulhouse parking guide.
- Arrive early to find a good spot along the route, especially on Place de la Réunion.
- Plan for afterwards: a carnival works up an appetite!
A crêpe between parades
At 14 rue des Tondeurs, a stone's throw from Place de la Réunion, the Crampous Mad crêperie is ideally placed for a galette before the parades or a crêpe and a hot chocolate after the confetti battles. During the Carnival, we welcome you from Wednesday to Saturday with service all day, from 11:30 am to 9 pm (9:30 pm on Friday and Saturday). Please note: the crêperie is closed on Sunday, the day of the cavalcade. Crêpes and galettes are also available to take away.
On Carnival weekend, remember to book on 03 89 45 79 43. And a week earlier, on Tuesday 2 February 2027, it's Chandeleur, the French crêpe day. See the menu · Book a table
Information updated on 28 October 2026 from the organiser's website (carnaval-mulhouse.com) and the JDS events listings; 2026 programme based on information from the City of Mulhouse, m2A and the organiser. The detailed 2027 programme has not been published yet: check carnaval-mulhouse.com before you come.