Photo : Audrey Gabon / Unsplash
Bain démarré (ouverture du carnaval)
On 1 January, a purification swim traditionally marks the opening of the carnival season. The gathering sets off from Pointe-à-Pitre in the morning and then heads to the beaches of Bas-du-Fort.
Nearby
SportNov 5The 13th Route du Rhum, which set off from Saint-Malo on 1 November 2026, finishes at the pontoons of honour in Pointe-à-Pitre, opposite the Mémorial ACTe. A race village with food and concerts every evening welcomes the public as the skippers arrive.
SportNov 1421.1 km road race starting at Lauricisque in Pointe-à-Pitre. The event is organised by ACSE 971.
Culture & traditionDuring Advent, chanté Nwel open to all are held in almost every commune of the archipelago: Christmas carols are sung in Creole, often accompanied by gwo-ka drums. Some gatherings draw over 300 people, especially at weekends.
FestivalJan 3The carnival season sets the rhythm of the archipelago from early January until Ash Wednesday, with Sunday parades by groupes à po, groupes à mas and snare-drum bands. Parades mainly take place in central Pointe-à-Pitre and Basse-Terre.
Culture & traditionFeb 7The first of the jours gras (carnival's final days), Dimanche Gras sees groups compete in creativity through the streets of Pointe-à-Pitre. A children's parade also takes place that day.
Culture & traditionFeb 10Ash Wednesday closes the carnival with black-and-white parades and the burning of Vaval, the carnival king. The procession heads notably to Quai de la Darse in Pointe-à-Pitre; a burning also takes place in Basse-Terre.