Martinique Carnival 2025 : Between Derision and Tradition

Date carnaval Martinique 2025, shrove Tuesday, Tuesday 4 March 2025

Carnival 2025 program coming soon !

Program and Dates of the Martinique Carnival 2024

To not miss any of the festivities, discover below the program of the 2024 carnival in Fort-de-France.

The carnival is a highly anticipated event and is prepared in advance. To plan your Martinique Carnival 2024, we provide you with the dates of the "fat days": from Sunday, February 11, to Wednesday, February 14, 2024. Ash Wednesday will coincide with Valentine's Day. You may be saddened by the end of the carnival with the disappearance of Vaval, but the celebration of love can console you.

Meanwhile, the streets are already buzzing with parades and processions. Discover the program that extends over more than a month, culminating with Shrove Tuesday on February 13, 2024, 47 days before Easter.

Pre-Carnival Events Not to Miss:

• In Fort-de-France: For its 119th edition, the Fort-de-France Carnival is back with strength. Named 'Extravagans an Chinpongtong' this year, the celebration promises to be a big popular party, combining fantasy and creativity. An event designed for everyone's enjoyment, where everyone is invited to have fun and find their happiness.
  January 14, from 3 pm to 6 pm, vibe with the "Foyal Parade". Don't miss the nighttime parade in Dillon on January 20, nor "La Bèt a Fé" on February 3, both from 6 pm to 10 pm.
  January 26, head to the ruins of the Place de la Savane for a unique experience: 'Kannaval Dijital Xpérians'. At 9 am, 1 pm, and 7 pm, get ready for a breathtaking show combining digital technologies and audiovisual effects for an unforgettable sound and light show.
  On February 4, start the day with the 'vidé en pyjama' at 4 am, starting from Place Abbé Grégoire in the Terres-Sainville neighborhood. At 2 pm, don't miss the carnival queen election at the Grand Carbet of the Aimé Césaire cultural park. This highlight will be organized by the 'Carnaval Foyal' Association, a major player in the carnival for over 60 years.
• In Lamentin: The 2024 carnival takes on the theme "VidéLympique" with celebrations until February 14. See the program.
• In Schoelcher: The 6th edition of the Schoelcher "Carnival Run" will take place on February 3 at Anse Madame, Schoelcher.
  On February 10, it's time for group A to start the street party in Schoelcher.
  On February 12, street party in pajamas in the streets of Schoelcher starting at 4 am.
• In Diamant: Attend the Carnival Soley Sud Show on January 22 from 3 pm.
  Also, on February 4, from 9 am, witness the election of the Mini-Queen and the Queen of the South at the Diamant stadium.
• In Sainte-Anne: From 2 pm, enjoy the Parade of Sainte-Anne.
• In Ducos: The Ducos Naval will illuminate the night on February 7, followed by Wélélé Timoun on February 10.
• In Lorrain: The grand parade of the North on February 4, from 3 pm to 6 pm.
• In Rivière-Pilote: The crowning of the Queen Mother of the South on January 28, from 12 pm to 7 pm.
• In Rivière-Salée: Night parade of walking groups on January 27, from 7 pm to 10 pm.
• In Robert: Nine major events, including Capit’All Show on January 13 and Vaval Splash Run on January 26.
• In Sainte-Luce: The grand parade of the south on February 12, from 2:30 pm.
• In Saint-Esprit: On January 7, from 3 pm to 6 pm, the Grand contest of walking groups! Come choose the best walking group of Carnival 2024!
• In Marin: Performance in Marin scheduled for on February 9, from 6 pm.
• In François: Come and enjoy the Parade of François on February 10, from 2 pm at the square, in front of the town hall.

Sunday, February 11, 2024:

• In Lamentin: Come and experience Carnival in the town.

• In Robert: Tropical Garden (Bal Kannaval Gran Moun).

• In Diamant: Fat Sunday in the town at 7 pm.

• In Fort-de-France:

  Fat Sunday in the streets.

Monday, February 12, 2024:

• In Lamentin: Parade on the theme "Burlesque Wedding" in the town, Show in costume with the presence of the walking group Nou Pa Sav, on the town hall square.
• In Sainte-Luce: The Grand Parade of the South from 2:30 pm.
• In Fort-de-France: Burlesque wedding in the streets.

Tuesday, February 13, 2024:

• In Lamentin: Street party in pajamas and celebration of Shrove Tuesday in the town.
• In Robert: Mawdi Gra Ti Manmay.
• In Diamant: Diamant Parade from 7 pm.
• In Rivière-Pilote: Parade of Rivière-Pilote from 2 pm.
• In Fort-de-France: Shrove Tuesday parade in the streets of the municipality.

Wednesday, February 14, 2024:

• In Lamentin: Come and mourn Vaval, on this Ash Wednesday in the town.
• In Robert: Lanmou Vaval (street party in pajamas).
• In Diamant: 3 events: Pyjama Lévé at 5 am, Diamant Parade at 5 pm, and Brilé Vaval at 7 pm.
• In Fort-de-France: Come and say your goodbyes to Vaval in the streets of the municipality.

Don't Miss Event!

How does the Martinique Carnival unfold?

Day 1: Fat Sunday

This first official day dedicated to Carnival festivities is Sunday. It is the day of the revelation of His Majesty Vaval. His subjects eagerly rush through the streets of Fort-de-France to discover his new face. Comments and interpretations abound to understand his representation, his message, his image based on concerns and current events.

Royalty is not solely attributed to King Vaval since the Carnival Queens and Mini-Queens are revealed on Fat Monday. This day is less crowded than the others and serves as a warm-up for the days to come.

Day 2: Fat Monday

It's the day of the burlesque wedding. This day breaks the norms; there is no barrier of gender or sex. Men are the brides, and women are the grooms. Traditional or non-traditional wedding dresses are worn on this day.

Day 3: Shrove Tuesday

It's the day when the Red Devils come out: these intriguing or frightening characters recall the strong African heritage of Martinicans. This costume is adorned with red and impressive masks mimicking the devil's face, with numerous bovine horns and mirrors. On this day, do not come dressed in a color other than red, or preferably choose black, lest you anger Papa Djab.

Day 4: Ash Wednesday

This day marks the end of Carnival and the tearing farewell to King Vaval. The emblem of our carnival is burned, accompanied by its widows who cannot stop crying over his departure. They carry a branch of soursop, whose leaves are known for their soothing properties.

This last day also indicates the beginning of Lent, a period of deprivation for many followers of the Catholic Church.

The birth of a unique carnival

It is in a period that marked the birth of the Martinican people that Carnival was born. European colonists brought with them this pagan festival that was supposedly not allowed for slaves. However, they found, through these festive days, a way to liberate themselves and even to ridicule this dehumanizing authority. Using their African heritage, their means, and therefore their own instruments, they managed to create a carnival that resembles them and brings them together.

Since its emergence in the 17th century, it was in the city of Saint-Pierre that the carnival brought together the Martinican population. After the eruption of Mount Pelée in 1902, the celebration did not lose its popularity.

Fort-de-France having become the new capital, carnival-goers found a new space there to celebrate the largest popular gathering in Martinique. Thanks to this new impetus and popularity, the carnival has become an event to be scheduled in all the municipalities of the island.

A carnival symbol of rebirth

The Martinican-style carnival has its own king, the famous Vaval. This giant puppet or Bwa Bwa in Creole is not just an accessory representation; he is the one who dictates the course of the festivities during the 4 fat days, the official days of carnival celebrations.

His Majesty Vaval, King of Martinique

More than a giant made of paper, cardboard, iron, and other materials, Vaval is the main deity of the Martinican carnival. The making of Vaval requires careful planning: it is necessary to keep an eye on the news because he highlights every year the social events or significant events. These political, health, societal events are often controversial as they are poorly received by the inhabitants. Representing them and burning them through Vaval is a way of destroying and burying these events.

For example, Vaval has represented politicians, viruses, or even animals responsible for diseases such as mosquitoes. The events he relates and the way he does it are not always to everyone's liking.

Art school students who designed the Vaval of the Martinique Carnival 2023 wanted to represent the very persistent gun violence on our island. The previous year, many young men lost their lives due to the issue of arms trafficking. This Vaval denounces this phenomenon while caricaturing the lifestyle of these young people.

A often premature rebirth

The carnival period in Martinique is so eagerly awaited that immediately after the Christmas celebrations, the first sounds of walking groups can be heard. They indeed train for a good 2 months before the fat days! You can find numerous formations with diverse and varied sounds. Some essential groups include the legendary Plastik System Band, Tanbou Bô Kannal celebrating its 50th anniversary during the 2023 carnival, and VaKband.

Parades or other "vidés" take over the streets, such as the famous vidé en pyjama that takes place every year in several municipalities and neighborhoods of the island.

"Vidés" are more or less spontaneous gatherings that originate in the neighborhoods of the island. Those who wish to join the walking groups gather for the "vidé" to run and let loose.

The "vidé en pyjama" has the particularity of taking place very early in the morning, before sunrise. This practice is highly appreciated by carnival-goers because it does not require a very elaborate costume. You just have to wake up and parade in your nightwear.

A carnival that tells stories

This unparalleled cultural event, thanks to its flagship characters, recalls its origins, popular beliefs, as well as myths and legends that have crossed ages and eras.

Among these iconic characters, we can mention:

• the Nèg Gwo Siwo, who pays homage to the Nèg Mawon. This tradition involves coating the body with molasses from head to toe.
• Mariyan-Lapo-Fig, reminiscent of ritual figures from Africa, as well as the bear Mariyan and its tamer in European traditions.
• Caroline zié-loli, the overly devoted woman who carries her drunken husband on her back.
• The Clay Men, who coat themselves in clay and freeze like statues, highlighting the ancestral art of pottery.
• The Red Devils, who, coming from Africa, come out to scare carnival-goers on Mardi Gras.
  

For more information on the rich history of the Carnival of the Island of Flowers, we invite you to consult the Martinique Carnival Guide.