The Licques Turkey Festival, An Unusual French Advent Tradition Along the Coast From Calais (Only in France)

Only in France would you see a parade of turkeys being herded down a street as part of a festival. The Licques Turkey Festival (Fête de la Dinde) celebrates turkeys. There is even a brotherhood of the turkey. It’s France at its absolute best, full of tradition, history, and celebration.

The little town of Licques, in the Pas-de-Calais region of northern France, hosts this event every year on the middle weekend of December. It’s part of the town’s agricultural heritage and is quite a sight to see.

In 2025, the celebrations are on the 13th and 14th of December.

The Town of Licques

It all began in the 17th century when the Premonstratensian monks in the Abbey of Licque introduced turkeys into the region, giving the town its nickname of “Turkey Town.” First mentioned in a charter of 1046, the village was part of the lordship of Licques until the French Revolution. 

It’s maintained much of its character, with ancient Roman ruins, a 12th-century church classified as a historical monument, and a 12th-century chateau, Château de Licques, now privately owned. Since the 16th century, it’s been an agricultural village, and nothing much has changed.

This region isn’t short of stories, as a famous royal meeting took place a few miles down the road in the village of Balinghem. In June 1520, Henry VIII of England and Francis I of France met in a place famously known as the Field of the Cloth of Gold.

The meeting was meant to solidify the peace between the two rival kingdoms following the Treaty of London in 1518, which had aimed to establish a collective European peace. It lasted for about three weeks and included thousands of attendants from both courts. It was a spectacular display of wealth, power, and royal opulence, with both monarchs vying to outshine one another through lavish tents, sumptuous feasts, jousting, and games. 

Turkeys in Licques, France

December is a busy month in the world of turkeys, but never more so than in Licques. In the week before Christmas, this tiny village sells 90% of its turkeys, and between July and December, there are more turkeys than inhabitants. They even have a brotherhood of turkeys and a statue dedicated to them named Alfred.

The Black Turkey of Licques

The Black Turkey of Licques is highly prized for its exceptional quality and taste, which has earned it the prestigious Label Rouge certification since 1979. This label denotes that the turkeys are raised using traditional, free-range farming methods, prioritizing animal welfare and environmental protection. 

These turkeys are known for their slow growth, which allows them to develop a richer flavor and firmer texture compared to industrially raised turkeys. Their diet also contributes significantly to their unique taste.

They have a natural diet free of antibiotics and animal meals, starting with a nutritious blend of wheat, corn, and soybeans.

At around six weeks, they can roam in pastures, enjoying natural foliage like nettles and thistles, which contribute to the meat’s flavor and quality.

Licques Fete des Dindes

Food festivals are a way of life here in France, and I love discovering them. So why not have a festival for turkeys? To honor their heritage, Licques Poultry created the Fete des Dindes to celebrate centuries of breeding their famous black turkeys.

The festival has even been named one of the hundred most beautiful in France. Held during the middle weekend in December, the turkey parade is the event that ends all events.

It all starts on Saturday with a Christmas market showcasing gourmet treats, artisan stalls, cheese, wine, chocolate, and all the goodies you’d expect to see. Hundreds descend on Licques to sell their wares and enjoy the fun. The biggest and busiest stall is, of course, the turkey stall, and the potée licquoise (turkey stew) is to die for.

Stalls are set up down the streets and under the big tent, and the smell of roasting chestnuts and vin chaud (mulled wine) gives you that lovely Christmas feeling. In the evening, the town hosts a big meal with live entertainment, and the celebrations go on into the night.

Sunday is the event they all come to see, the parade of the turkeys. It’s the most bizarre thing you’re ever likely to witness. The turkeys are held in a pen in the small square at the top of the main street until it’s time for them to be released, and the parade begins.

Hundreds of turkeys gobble their way slowly down the street, kept in line by children and helpers. Leading the parade is the “Confrérie de Licques,” a brotherhood of local dignitaries and townspeople dressed in traditional robes.

There are people everywhere, and they all follow the procession of turkeys through the streets. Most of them are hugging a glass of a steaming hot licquoise drink brewed in a massive cauldron on top of a bonfire.

Once the parade is over, what seems like the entire town takes part in a tea dance. It’s so much fun to watch. 

For more information on the festival, visit the official website. 

Noël in France

Christmas in France is very different from other parts of the world. It’s less commercialized and more about tradition and family. The food is definitely the star of the show at Christmas time. 

The main meal is on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day and lasts five to seven hours. There are at least six courses and plenty of wine between each course.

The decorations are also a little different, and many have stories behind them. It’s these traditions that really make it something special.

The Christmas Markets are less tacky and showcase some beautiful artisans with products that remind me of what Christmas might have looked like a hundred years ago.