In Évian-les-Bains, winter ends in a whirlwind of feathers, glitter, and fanfares. Nestled on the shores of Lac Léman, the Carnaval d’Évian 2026 promises to be the most effervescent edition in its history, featuring a record number of floats and a more ambitious scenography than ever before. Local associations, schools, art workshops, and merchants have combined their talents to build a celebration where tradition and creative boldness go hand in hand. From the first parades inspired by the masked balls of the Belle Époque to contemporary processions, the event has earned a reputation as a unique “lakeside” festival, carried by the blue mirror of Lake Léman and by the conviviality of Évian.
At dawn, the echo of percussion, brass rehearsals, and the first costume preparations can already be heard. Lina, a craftswoman from Publier, explains how her team patiently sculpted a wave-shaped float, decorated with mirrors that will reflect the winter sun: “We want children to see themselves in the float, to recognize themselves there.” This spirit of sharing sums up the ethos of the 2026 edition, which is widely open to families, day visitors as well as enthusiasts, and which draws all of Haute-Savoie towards Évian, especially during the key weekend in February when the main parade transforms the city into an open-air stage.
History, location, and dates of the Carnaval d’Évian 2026: a lakeside festival with a unique DNA
The Carnaval d’Évian 2026 is part of a long local history of costumed balls, festive regattas, and a pronounced taste for staging. At the beginning of the 20th century, winter visitors came for the waters, the panorama, and social life; masked processions were already emerging on the quays. After quieter periods, associations revived the momentum in the 1980s, anchoring the event in the winter calendar. Since then, the event has enriched its image: refined aesthetics, varied themes, involvement of school workshops and artist collectives, all set against a spectacular natural backdrop. The result: a reputation that goes beyond the region and now attracts groups from Italy, Switzerland, and Occitania, seduced by the Léman setting.
The festival shines at the heart of Évian-les-Bains, between the quai du Léman, rue Nationale, and historic squares, where Belle Époque heritage dialogues with ephemeral installations. The key dates revolve around a major winter weekend, with daytime activities, afternoon parades, and musical moments into the evening. For curious visitors planning their trip, the guide what to do in Haute-Savoie this weekend of February 21 and 22, 2026 highlights the main events, including the main parade and children’s workshops. Visitors discover a pedestrianized city center, family-dedicated spaces, and street performances designed to be seen up close or from afar.
At the roots of the Carnaval d’Évian 2026: heritage and symbols
Beyond folklore, the symbolism of water is omnipresent: the floats are inspired by waves, sails, and lakeside animals, while the fanfares play revisited marine themes. Lina and her collective “Reflets” gathered blue and silver fabric scraps, for example, to bring to life a “Léman mermaids” costume, entirely designed to capture the winter light. This aesthetic strengthens the carnival’s identity: a festival that celebrates life, circulation, and movement. Why does it work so well? Because the inhabitants recognize themselves in these symbols and visitors project a poetic vision of the mountain and lake onto them. Final insight: the lakeside anchor amplifies the emotion, making the experience memorable.
To wait for the parade, this video allows you to explore the sound atmosphere and the diversity of the processions that have shaped Évian’s reputation over the editions, here in 2025.
Exceptional 2026 edition: record of 20 floats, XXL program, and total visual immersion
Time for something unprecedented: the Carnaval d’Évian 2026 announces an absolute record of 20 floats, assembled by local and invited teams. The variety impresses: “Léman Mariners” floats with giant tulle sails, “Belle Époque” highlighting historic facades, “Winter Sports” with retro skis, articulated “Fantastic Animals,” “Colors of the World” with wax and brocade fabrics. Twelve structures will be giant and motorized, eight will use articulated mechanics to animate fins, wings, and shooting stars. The procession also includes several fanfares, numerous dance troupes, and luminous stilt walkers for a magical nighttime finale.
The music will resonate in every street, ranging from Afro-Caribbean percussion to gypsy swing, with electro-acoustic interludes to rhythm the stops. Biodegradable confetti will draw a colorful sky, while LED lighting will tint facades with deep blues and bright fuchsias. Regarding participation, organizers expect nearly 2,000 costumed performers and more than 35,000 spectators over the whole weekend, a symbolic milestone confirming the popular momentum.
Carnaval d’Évian 2026 program: schedule and highlights
To get your bearings, here are the key stages structuring the festival and facilitating meetings between artists, families, and visitors:
- Friday 20
- 5:30 PM: Free distribution of glow sticks in front of the festival palace
- 6:30 PM: Light parade for the little ones departing from the festival palace. Round trip, rue Nationale and souvenir photo with your favorite heroes.
- 8:00 PM: Opening ceremony and handing over of the city keys, festival palace.
- 8:30 PM: Dance bar, 80s night, festival palace.
- Saturday 21
- 10:30 AM: Wake up Évian with music, city center. Cacophony in front of the festival palace.
- 2:00 PM: Presentation of güggens and batucadas
- 3:00 PM: Grand procession, departure from the festival palace. Round trip, rue Nationale.
- 5:00 PM: Burning of Mr. Carnaval, in front of the festival palace. Aperitif / güggens bar.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner dance, festival palace. (meal + ball = €30: tartiflette, salad, iced dessert, coffee)
- 9:30 PM: Costume ball with the great Bernard Becker orchestra. Festival palace.
Cultural and tourist impact, safety and side events of the Carnaval d’Évian 2026
Beyond the spectacle, the Carnaval d’Évian 2026 acts as a cultural and economic accelerator. Accommodations show high occupancy rates, restaurants create “blue Léman” menus, artisans offer eco-friendly creations. The benefits spread throughout the shore, with excursions to neighboring villages and panoramic walks. For travelers planning closely, the regional calendar, including this key weekend in February 2026, offers a cross-sectional view of outings to combine carnival, nature, and culture.
Safety, the cornerstone of a serene festival, benefits from a reinforced system: clearly marked pedestrian zones, soft bag checks, first aid points spread along the route, identifiable and trained staff. “Family” zones guarantee comfortable visibility and accessible sanitary facilities; luminous signage guides the way to exits and bus stations. Accessibility is carefully managed: reserved spaces for people with reduced mobility, trained welcome teams, information sheets in several languages. The sustainable dimension is not forgotten: reusable cups, sorting facilitated by “eco-stations,” encouragement of soft mobility.
Side events and immersive experiences at Carnaval d’Évian 2026
Around the parade, a nebula of activities creates a real “off”. Costume workshops with recovered materials, participatory mini-circus to learn a move safely, poetic street theater at dusk, and a pop-up ice rink attracting young and old alike. Musicians improvise “jam parades” in the alleys, while storytellers recount the legend of the “spirits of Léman.” Merchants play along with costumed shop windows, sometimes interactive, and a treasure hunt leads to a giant photo spot, where the moment is immortalized under a cloud of biodegradable confetti.
