The festive, gastronomic atmosphere of Alsatian carnivals

Published: 2025-02-21 08:00:00
Categories : Actuality , Celebrations

Alsatian carnivals are festive periods mixing traditions and social festivities, in a colourful, whimsical setting. Distinguished by its costumed processions, floats, balls, shows and sometimes confetti wars, each town in the Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin has its own celebrations to warm up the winter atmosphere. When passing through Alsace to experience our unmissable carnivals, prolong the festivities by stopping off at the Maison Alsacienne de Biscuiterie to taste our Carnival beignets, Schenkele and Alsatian specialities!

Alsatian carnivals

Celebrating the Carnival in the Bas-Rhin

Strasbourg and surrounds

The Strasbourg Carnival is one of the region’s key social events. This year, it is due to take place on Sunday 23 March 2025, with a large parade crossing the main streets of the city. Don’t miss out on the spectacular floats, music bands and joyful atmosphere that sweeps through the Alsatian capital. After admiring the costumes and processions, follow the festivities by stopping off at our shops in Saint-Thomas or Dôme. Come and taste our traditional Kougelhopf, a typical Alsatian sweet, to take home and enjoy with the whole family.

Nearby, Schiltigheim, Illkirch as well as many other towns also hold their own festivities. These neighbourhood carnivals are ideal for families looking for a more intimate feel...

Sélestat

The Sélestat Carnival is another must-see regional event. It will be held on the weekend of 8 and 9 March 2025 for two vibrant days when humorous, show stopping floats will immerse you in one of the most festive ambiances around. End the day in scenic beauty by stopping off at the famous picturesque Ribeauvillé Village (only 15 minutes by car), to follow a gastronomic route. Our Ribeauvillé shop assistants will be delighted to have you discover the different flavours of our filled beignets: apple-damson plum and raspberry, not to mention chocolate-hazelnut. Our beignets fried to golden perfection and lightly sprinkled with sugar will be the perfect reward after a bustling day...

Celebrating the Carnival in the Haut-Rhin

Colmar

The Comar Carnival is a also a highly-anticipated event. It will take place on the weekend of 22 and 23 March 2025, with a grand procession through the centre of town. Eccentric costumes, marching bands and street shows enliven the narrow streets of this historic town. After having enjoying the festival, stop off at our Cathédrale and Boulangers shops to savour our delicious sweet vanilla and cocoa pretzels. Or our emblematic salted pretzels, carefully prepared in the Alsatian tradition.

Eguisheim

Not far from Eguisheim, the charming village of Rouffach holds its Carnival on Sunday 23 March, providing the ideal opportunity to explore its charming narrow cobblestone streets. Donned in masks and traditional costumes, the unique ambiance created by local inhabitants sweeps through to the village of Eguisheim, lying around 10 kilometres away... And if the atmosphere still hasn’t grabbed you by that stage, let the tantalising bakery smells wafting from our Eguisheim shop lead the way. Taste our salted Kougelhopf, baked on site in a Soufflenheim terracotta mould.

Mulhouse

The Mulhouse Carnival, which is known for its impressive floats and extravagant costumes, will be held from 5 to 9 March, an event that this year marks the town’s 800-year anniversary! With its many different events and shows, each year it attracts visitors from across the region. To end off the day on a sweet note, visit our Henriette shop to treat yourself to some foodie heaven by discovering our Alsatian beignets, tantalisingly flavoured with lemon and Kirsch.

Carnival beignets

Celebrating the Carnival Alsatian-style: the way of treating yourself right

Carnival time offers the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in festive Alsatian traditions. Whether you’re there to enjoy the parades in Strasbourg, Colmar or Mulhouse, one thing is for certain: you’re not going to be able to resist the beckoning Carnival beignets. Available in our Strasbourg, Colmar and Eguisheim shops as well as in many other towns, this artisanal confectionery is a vital ingredient to fully savouring this festive period.

So having admired the colourful floats and danced to the tune of the show-stopping events, treat yourself to a gastronomic break by giving in to sweet temptation. Maison Alsacienne de Biscuiterie’s Carnival Beignets are there to make your Carnival experience ever more fun!