Aalborg carnival draws crowds with costumes and drug arrests

Tens of thousands of revelers filled Aalborg’s streets on Saturday for the 44th annual carnival, a day of elaborate costumes, public drinking, and 62 drug-related arrests, Danish broadcaster DR reported.

This year’s theme, “Uden dig – Ingen os” (“Without you – No us”), inspired costumes ranging from police officers and flight attendants to a Lolita-style doll and a man dressed as a freezer. Organizers estimate the event, which began in 1983, now attracts around 100,000 visitors yearly.

Police reported 62 people detained for possession of euphoric substances by mid-afternoon, with celebrations expected to continue late into the night. Danish rapper Gilli was scheduled to close the main stage at 22:15.

For the first time, local residents were required to cover the costs of barriers and portable toilets to prevent carnival-goers from using private courtyards as restrooms—though some, like two men photographed in German and Mexican attire, appeared to ignore the measures.