Carnaval de Charleroi - Grande Parade
Vastenavond-carnaval met Gilles, reuzen, Spirous en Climbias, eindigend met de Brulage du Corbeau.
Leverage Charleroi's iconic Gilles and giant parade floats to drive tourism, hospitality bookings, and local retail foot traffic during this UNESCO-recognized Belgian carnival celebration.
- Experience the legendary Gilles costumes and Brulage du Corbeau ritual—book your Charleroi carnival weekend now
- Behind the mask: the centuries-old traditions of Charleroi's Vastenavond carnival
- Local guide to Carnaval de Charleroi: where to eat, stay, and celebrate like a true Gilles
- Giant parade floats and street performances—why Charleroi's carnival is Belgium's most immersive cultural event
On Tuesday, 17 February 2026, the occasion of Mardi Gras, the City of Charleroi will experience one of its Carnival highlights with the Grande Parade followed by the traditional Burning of the Raven on Place Vauban. The Grande Parade is a colourful procession bringing together Gilles societies, folkloric groups, Giants, Spirous, Climbias and numerous associative and civic groups—totalling approximately 1,000 participants across about 30 groups. This atypical carnival is notable for its civic participation and concludes with the burning of the Raven and all negative thoughts collected from the population.
Early morning
Ramassage and first outing of Gilles societies (from 3h30)
10h00
Morning rondeau of Gilles societies in front of Town Hall
10h30–12h00
Medal ceremony at Town Hall (5+ year participants recognised)
15h00
Departure of Eden groups from cultural centre
15h30
Official launch at Royal Nord, Rue Isaac/Lebeau/Waterloo (ribbon cutting by officials)
15h40
Grande Parade departs, crossing city centre
16h30–16h45
Gilles societies arrive to join procession; Grande Parade arrives at Place Vauban
17h45
Final collection of negative thoughts by El Bwèsse à Tèyâte
18h30
Gilles rondeau (circle dance)
19h30–19h45
Raven trial & ritual; Burning of Raven and negative thoughts
- Colourful procession featuring Gilles societies, folkloric groups, Giants, Spirous, and Climbias
- Nearly 1,000 participants animated the city centre with fanfares, music, dancing and animations
- Creative, upcycled and hybrid decorations prepared over three+ weeks in the Grande Fabrique workshop (23 January–15 February)
- Non-motorised floats, live music only, costumes and masks made from recycled materials
- Folkloric societies and Grande Parade merge mid-route to join Gilles societies and converge on Place Vauban
- Evening culmination: Gilles roundeau at 18:30, Raven trial & ritual at 19:30, burning of Raven and negative thoughts at 19:45