At a glance

• Four iconic parade days where Fort-de-France erupts into a sea of sequins, madras, and hand-painted signs, with drum-led vidé crews and glittering "bandes à paillettes" winding through sun-soaked streets
• Soundtrack of zouk, soca, bouyon, biguine, and the hypnotic clack of ti bwa—from DJ trucks to skin drums, the beat never lets up
• Costume culture that ranges from full-feathered glamour to T‑shirt vidé packs, DIY Monday “burlesque wedding” looks, and the legendary Nèg Gwo Siwo masqueraders slicked in cane syrup
• Unique traditions: Sunday’s arrival of Roi Vaval, Monday’s cross-dressed marriages, Tuesday’s red-and-black Diables rouges, and Ash Wednesday’s black‑and‑white mourning with the burning of Vaval

Key dates

• Late Jan–early Feb 2026: Pre-carnival fetes, band launches, and queen/pageant selections across Fort-de-France and surrounding towns (watch city and tourism pages for event drops)
• Sunday, February 15, 2026 – Dimanche Gras: Big opening parade in Fort-de-France with the arrival of Roi Vaval and costume group showcases; family-friendly festivities around La Savane
• Monday, February 16, 2026 – Lundi Gras: Pre-dawn J’ouvert/vidé (around 4–6am); midday “Mariage burlesque” (burlesque weddings) with playful role reversals; evening street vidé
• Tuesday, February 17, 2026 – Mardi Gras: The iconic red-and-black Diables rouges take over; the longest parade day with costumes, drum bands, and late-night “las lap”
• Wednesday, February 18, 2026 – Mercredi des Cendres (Ash Wednesday): Black-and-white street dress code, ritual burning of Roi Vaval on the waterfront, and final island-wide vidé farewells
• Competitions: Costumed groups and groupes à pied are judged along the route (final schedule published by the City of Fort-de-France)

How to get there

From Europe, the easiest gateway is Paris. Air France, Air Caraïbes, and Corsair operate frequent non-stop flights from Paris (CDG/ORY) to Fort-de-France Aimé Césaire International Airport (FDF). Flight time is roughly 8h30–9h, and February is peak season—book early for the best fares.

From London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and other major European hubs, you’ll typically connect in Paris. Some itineraries require changing airports between CDG and Orly; allow at least 3 hours for transfers. Total travel time from these cities is usually 11–15 hours depending on layovers.

Regional options: high-speed ferries link Martinique with neighboring islands. L’Express des Îles runs routes to Guadeloupe and Dominica (seasonal schedules), and there are additional sailings to Saint Lucia via other operators—handy for island-hopping before or after carnival.

On arrival at FDF (Le Lamentin), it’s about 20–25 minutes to central Fort-de-France by taxi (budget €20–35 depending on traffic and time). The island’s BRT line (TCSP) and local buses connect the airport area to the capital, and maritime shuttles link Fort-de-France with Pointe du Bout/Trois‑Îlets—great if you’re staying beachside and commuting to the parades.

Where to stay

Base yourself in or near Fort-de-France to walk to the route and avoid road closures. Schoelcher (just west of the capital) and Trois‑Îlets (across the bay by ferry) are excellent alternatives with quick access.

• Simon Hotel (Fort-de-France) – Sleek 4-star by the waterfront and La Savane, ideal for stepping straight into the parade. Mid–upper range.
• Karibea La Valmenière – Reliable mid-range just outside downtown; rooftop pool and city views, easy taxi hop to the route.
• Appart’City Fort-de-France – Apartment-style convenience with kitchenettes; smart for groups and longer stays.
• Hôtel La Batelière (Schoelcher) – Classic resort vibe 10 minutes from town; good balance of quiet nights and quick carnival access.
• Hôtel La Pagerie (Trois-Îlets) – Charming beach-area base; ride the ferry to Fort-de-France for parades, then retreat to the marina’s restaurants.

Carnival is peak season—lock accommodations 3–6 months ahead. Expect €150–250 per night mid-range in the city and more for upscale beach resorts.

Playing mas

Playing mas in Martinique means surrendering to the rhythm—becoming part of the procession, not just a spectator. Here, you can go ultra-glam with a bande à paillettes (full costume sections), roll with a T‑shirt vidé crew behind drumlines and DJ trucks, or dive into tradition with the sticky, spectacular Nèg Gwo Siwo (masqueraders slicked in cane syrup). Each path is a different heartbeat of the same festival.

Choosing your crew: Follow local groups and bands on social media—community favorites like Wélélé Band and AM4 Martinique announce their 2026 themes, routes, and signup details between December and January. If you want glitter, feathers, and a dedicated drinks truck, look for costume bands (bandes à paillettes). If your soul calls for drums and pure street energy, a T‑shirt vidé pack is perfect.

Packages & pricing: T‑shirt vidé day passes usually include a branded top, wristband, drinks (water/rum/softs), and security—budget roughly €80–130 per day. Costume sections with headpieces, bodywear, and accessories can range €220–450 depending on how elaborate (frontline-style options cost more and sell out first). Traditional mas (e.g., Nèg Gwo Siwo) is more DIY—old clothes, headwrap, boots you can sacrifice, plus syrup/paint shared within a crew.

Registration & pickup: Sign up online and pay a deposit by mid-January. You’ll collect your wristband, T‑shirt, and costume the Thursday–Saturday before the road. Bring photo ID and try everything on—tailors can make quick tweaks. For Monday’s “burlesque wedding,” locals raid thrift shops and markets for tulle, veils, and madras—be as cheeky as you like.

On the road: Expect early starts, tropical heat, and rolling waves of drum and brass. You’ll meet your band near downtown Fort-de-France, grab a quick Creole breakfast, and move with the trucks for hours—chippin’, wining, laughing with strangers who become friends. Tuesday’s Diables rouges are the visual peak; Wednesday’s black-and-white farewell is soulful and cathartic as Vaval is set ablaze.

First-timer tips: Wear cushioned trainers (your feet will thank you after 8 hours). Bring a soft hydration pack, high-SPF sunscreen, and earplugs. Stash cash for food stalls (accras, poulet boucané, colombo), and carry a small crossbody bag you can dance with. If you join Nèg Gwo Siwo, coat skin with petroleum jelly first, protect your hair, and choose clothes you can bin afterwards—syrup gets everywhere, but the photos are priceless.

Budget

Prices surge in February—flights from Paris and London jump first. Lock in your seat 3–6 months out and consider mid-week departures. If you’re connecting via Paris, aim to keep everything on one ticket to protect against missed connections.

Staying across the bay in Trois‑Îlets can be a sweet spot: beach by day, water taxi to the parades, and often better hotel availability. Apartment-style stays with kitchens save on breakfasts and late-night snacks.

Want to play mas without breaking the bank? Choose a T‑shirt vidé day (or two) instead of full costume, and DIY Monday’s burlesque wedding look with thrifted tulle and madras from the local market. Split car hire with friends, or pair a rental for beach days with ferries/buses on parade days.

Carry some cash—smaller food stalls and pop-up bars may not accept cards during peak parade hours. ATMs are available downtown but queues get long; stock up earlier in the day.

Getting around & connectivity

During carnival, downtown Fort-de-France closes to traffic—plan to walk, dance, and ferry-hop. If you’re staying central, you can stroll to La Savane and the Malécon to join the action. For those across the bay, the maritime shuttle to Pointe du Bout/Trois‑Îlets runs frequently; it’s the easiest way to dodge road closures.

Taxis are available but in high demand on parade days; agree fares before you ride (typical short hops €15–30). There’s no Uber; download local taxi numbers from your hotel. The BRT (TCSP) and city buses serve the capital, but some routes adjust or suspend when the parades roll through—check service notices in advance.

Renting a car makes sense for beach and rum-distillery excursions outside parade hours (drive on the right), but avoid trying to park in the city during peak events. If you must drive, park on the outskirts and walk in—comfy trainers are your best friend.

Climate & packing

February is dry season in Martinique: warm days around 23–29°C, gentle trade winds, and the occasional brief shower. UV is strong, the beat is relentless, and you’ll be on your feet for hours—pack like a pro.

• Footwear: cushioned, broken-in trainers or carnival boots—your knees and ankles will thank you after miles of chippin’.
• Sun + hydration: high-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, a soft hydration pack, and electrolyte tabs. Shade is scarce on the route.
• Outfits: light, breathable fabrics; a small crossbody or fanny pack; and outfits for theme days—DIY wedding wear for Monday, red/black flair for Tuesday, black/white for Wednesday.
• Mas essentials: tights/shorts under costumes, body tape, safety pins, bandana, earplugs, wet wipes. For Nèg Gwo Siwo: petroleum jelly, headscarf, old clothes and sneakers you can toss.
• Forgot something? Hit Fort-de-France’s markets and haberdasheries for madras, face gems, and accessories; supermarkets stock sunscreen, snacks, and water.

Sample plan

1. Pre-carnival Saturday: Land in Fort-de-France, check into your hotel, and wander La Savane as trucks test sound systems. Grab accras and a cold Lorraine beer by the bay, then warm up at a soca/zouk fete—save your legs for the days ahead.
2. Sunday (Feb 15): Dimanche Gras. Stake out a spot along Boulevard du Général de Gaulle by late morning. Watch Vaval’s arrival and the first eruption of color: glittered queens, brass bands, and groupes à pied shaking the streets. Sunset liming on the Malécon as the city glows.
3. Monday (Feb 16): J’ouvert + Mariage burlesque. Meet your vidé crew before dawn—drums, whistles, and that pre-sunrise buzz. Nap and refuel, then don your cheekiest wedding getup for the cross-dressed procession. Evening vidé carries you past food stalls serving poulet boucané and colombo.
4. Tuesday (Feb 17): Mardi Gras & Diables rouges. Go bold in red and black. Join your band around 10am for the longest, loudest day—DJ trucks, rum stops, and endless chippin’. Golden-hour photos at La Savane, then one last nighttime sweep: las lap until your feet give out.
5. Wednesday (Feb 18): Mercredi des Cendres. Dress in black and white to mourn Vaval. The atmosphere is soulful and playful all at once; when the effigy burns by the waterfront, the island exhales. Celebrate with a quiet dinner—fresh fish, a perfect ti’ punch, and stories for life.
6. Thursday (Recovery add‑on): Rinse the rum with sea salt at Les Salines beach, then tour a rum distillery—Habitation Clément in Le François or Depaz in Saint‑Pierre—for a deep dive into Martinique’s rhum agricole heritage.

Official links & useful resources

• City of Fort‑de‑France – Events & Carnival Updates
• Martinique Tourism Authority (EN)
• Fort‑de‑France Aimé Césaire Airport (FDF)
• Air Caraïbes – Paris ⇄ Martinique
• Air France – Paris ⇄ Martinique
• Corsair – Paris ⇄ Martinique
• Vedettes Tropicales – Fort‑de‑France ⇄ Trois‑Îlets Ferries
• L’Express des Îles – Inter-island Ferries
• Wélélé Band (Mas/Vidé Crew)
• AM4 Martinique (Carnival Group)
• Background: Carnival in Martinique (Wikipedia)
• Martinique Travel Forum (Tripadvisor)