The long carnival season is coming to an end. Traditionally, this festive period begins in Diekirch and concludes during the mid-Lent carnival weekend, with parades in Remich and Pétange, as well as the night parade in Wasserbillig.
In Pétange, the carnival spirit once again swept through the town. This time traditionally marks the final cavalcade in Luxembourg, and the streets were lively as ever. A total of 69 different associations took part in this year’s parade, with more than thirty floats and walking groups moving along the route. Confetti and sweets rained down on the crowds. The parade has been organised since 1955, making it the oldest in the country.
One visitor explained that it is simply a wonderful place to spend the day with family and friends, celebrating together and enjoying the lively atmosphere. For children in particular, the event offers a chance to experience joyful moments, and many families return every year to share the festivities with loved ones.
In Pétange, visitors do not have to pay an entrance fee, which has been the case for the past ten years. Organising the parade costs around €100,000, of which the municipality contributes €40,000. The parade route itself stretches for two and a half kilometres. According to Serge Breyer, president of the organising committee, the current route was introduced during the Esch2022 European Capital of Culture year. The new route proved extremely successful and has been kept ever since, he said.
For many participants, the parade is also a chance to dress up, play lively music, and forget about the troubles of the world for a few hours. The colourful procession in Pétange brought together participants from five different nationalities, including the energetic local carnival groups.
Around 30,000 people were estimated to have attended the event in Pétange. Further south, crowds also gathered in Remich, where carnival celebrations continued along the banks of the Moselle. Thousands of carnival enthusiasts turned out once again to enjoy the “fifth season” in all its forms. The parade set off at half past two, with floats generously throwing confetti and sweets into the crowd.
Night parades have also become increasingly popular, such as the one in Wasserbillig. There, floats and carnival revellers streamed through the streets in a lively nocturnal procession. Around fifty groups took part in this year’s edition of the night parade.
With the parades in Pétange and Remich having taken place on Pretzel Sunday, this year’s carnival season is now drawing to a close. For many organisers and participants, however, there is little time to rest, because once the parades are over, planning for the next ones has already begun.
