Cholet Carnival
Sunday 27 April 2025
14:30 to 18:00
Daytime parade
Saturday 03 May 2025
21:30 to 01:00
Night-time parade
Pics
Pics
Presentation
Would you like to make the most of this week of celebrations in Cholet? Remember to book your accommodation and pop by to say hello! We’ll be happy to advise you ;)
Every year, thousands of spectators come to watch the daytime and night-time processions. Why not join them and discover the truly unique Cholet carnival? It’s undoubtedly one of the oldest and most surprising in Europe.
Folk groups, dancers, and national and international music performers are at the beating heart of these daytime and evening parades.
After brightening up your day, the floats are then adorned with thousands of lights for the night-time procession, which is unique in Europe.
Among the highlights during the week, you’ll find musical entertainment, carnivals for kids and seniors, a cycling race and a funfair to keep you entertained before the much-awaited night-time procession.
The first night-time procession took place much later, in 1949. For over 30 years, these two parades took place on the same day. With the daytime parade barely finished, the carnival participants were already setting up their lights for the night-time circuit. In 1984, the two processions were spaced out over a six-day period, giving the carnivalers the chance to fine-tune their special effects and technical exploits.
After the event broke the link with the Christian calendar to avoid bad weather, the “Mi-Carême” was renamed “Carnaval” in 1990.
Every year, thousands of spectators come to watch the daytime and night-time processions. Why not join them and discover the truly unique Cholet carnival? It’s undoubtedly one of the oldest and most surprising in Europe.
Don’t miss it!
Behind these massive floats there are hundreds of enthusiasts, designers and clever DIYers, imagining, sculpting, building, shaping and painting in hangars over a period of months.Folk groups, dancers, and national and international music performers are at the beating heart of these daytime and evening parades.
After brightening up your day, the floats are then adorned with thousands of lights for the night-time procession, which is unique in Europe.
A week of festivities!
Alongside the daytime parade, which unveils the work of the carnivalers, and the night-time procession to close the carnival in a flurry of lights, there are a number of celebratory events on offer.Among the highlights during the week, you’ll find musical entertainment, carnivals for kids and seniors, a cycling race and a funfair to keep you entertained before the much-awaited night-time procession.
From Mid-Lent to Carnival
The first Mid-Lent celebration in Cholet, known as “Mi-Carême”, took place in 1906. This then became a much-anticipated event every year.The first night-time procession took place much later, in 1949. For over 30 years, these two parades took place on the same day. With the daytime parade barely finished, the carnival participants were already setting up their lights for the night-time circuit. In 1984, the two processions were spaced out over a six-day period, giving the carnivalers the chance to fine-tune their special effects and technical exploits.
After the event broke the link with the Christian calendar to avoid bad weather, the “Mi-Carême” was renamed “Carnaval” in 1990.
The carnival in figures
Every year the Cholet Carnival involves:- Around 80,000 spectators
- 30 musical entertainment groups
- Around 200 carnivalers
- 300,000 light bulbs
- 6 km of electric cables
- Around 15 floats, each measuring 8 metres high, 10 metres long and almost 5 metres wide
Renowned expertise
The Cholet carnival participants are recognised for their craft by event organisers. In the town centre after every carnival, the floats are sold as a whole lot or as spare parts so they can continue their adventures in another town or city.General information
- Target audience :
- Any Audience
- Adult
- Child
Equipment, Services
- Environment / comfort :
- Open air
- Services :
- Restaurant
- Bar - Snack bar
- Photography permitted
To note
- Disabled person :
- Accessible for people with reduced mobility
- Services :
- Pets allowed
The Good Plan
Where should you stand to watch the procession?
The advantage is that the route is on a slope :) So actually, anywhere is good!Based on when you arrive, you can choose the station at the start of the circuit, the Place St Pierre in the middle, or the Halles to take in the final part. If you decide to watch the start, close to the station, you’ll also have time to head down to the Place des Halles to see all of the floats.
Where can I park?
With 80,000 spectators expected, parking close to the action is a real challenge.Our advice is to get there early.
– If you’re coming by car, the Omnisport stadium is the perfect option if you want to get to the area where the procession ends. If you’d prefer to be there for the start, your best bet would be parking on Boulevard de Strasbourg (behind the station). If you’re hoping for a vantage point halfway along, the easiest options would be Place St Pierre, the town centre car parks (Travot, Prisset, etc.) or the Mauges neighbourhood (near Rue Laënnec).
– Motorhomes are advised to use the service area near the Omnisport stadium. If you don’t need the services, there are car parks located on Place du Souvenir Français and Rue Saint Melaine – located 1.3 km and 1.7 km (about a mile away) from the procession end point – offering a quieter option ;)
Event Organizer
Cholet Evénements
Phone : +33 2 41 62 28 09
Location
49300
CHOLET
FICHE_INFO_SIMPLE_LIBELLE_DESTINATION
49300
CHOLET
GPS coordinates
Latitude : 47.05671
Longitude : -0.87774
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