Aalborg Carnival

Name: Aalborg Carnival
Start: 2025-05-23
End: 2025-05-30
Location: Aalborg

Northern Europe’s Largest Costume Street Party

2026/05/22 - 2026/05/29

Aalborg Carnival is one of Northern Europe’s largest costume parades and street carnivals, held every May in the city of Aalborg, Denmark.

Each May, the northern Danish city of Aalborg bursts into life with color, music, and creativity for the Aalborg Carnival. Boasting the largest scale in Northern Europe, the carnival draws over 100,000 people of all ages each year, transforming the entire city into a dreamlike stage where “anything goes.” Whether you love costumes, parties, or family fun, everyone can fully enjoy a week of freedom and fantasy.

The thunder of samba drums, the sparkle of sequins and feathers, the aroma of street food, and the touch of confetti fluttering through the air—each time the parade winds through the city, music, laughter, and the heat of celebration fill the senses, creating unforgettable memories for all.

Main Attractions

Grand Parade

The biggest highlight of Aalborg Carnival is the Grand Parade. Tens of thousands of costumed participants dance through the city center, with floats, samba bands, stilt walkers, and themed groups appearing one after another. At the parade’s end in Kildeparken, the festivities continue with live music and dancing, turning the whole city into a carnival wonderland.

Battle of the Carnival Bands

Before the main event, international samba and percussion groups compete in the “Battle of the Carnival Bands.” The clash of drums, cheers, and rhythms sends the excitement soaring.

Costumes and Decorations

Costumes are the soul of the carnival. Participants spend months handcrafting their outfits—glittering masks, feathered headdresses, superhero costumes, and wild, creative styles fill the city. Banners, balloons, and colorful decorations transform Aalborg into a fantasy world.

Cultural and Historical Background

Aalborg Carnival began in 1983 as a grassroots festival inspired by the carnival cultures of Southern Europe and Brazil. It started as a small local parade, but its popularity and scale grew year by year, and it is now one of the largest street carnivals in Northern Europe, attracting participants from across Denmark and abroad.

The carnival embodies “freedom, creativity, and community spirit,” providing a space where anyone can express themselves through costumes, music, and dance, regardless of age, nationality, or background. For Aalborg, it’s not only a symbol of pride in diversity and artistic expression, but also a social phenomenon that connects people across generations and cultures.

For local citizens, Aalborg Carnival is a special time to break free from the everyday and unleash their imagination and creativity. It’s a core part of the city’s identity, the highlight of the cultural calendar, and a “festival of dreams and unity” that attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year.

Participant Voices

“I’ve never experienced a carnival like this! The costumes, the music, and everyone’s smiles were amazing. I came with friends, and it became a memory for life.”

Festival Dates

Aalborg Carnival is held every May in the city of Aalborg, Denmark. Put on your wildest costume and jump into the parade to experience the heat and freedom of Northern Europe’s biggest festival.