Dutch Carnival—Vastelaovend 2025 in The Netherlands

Carnival in the Netherlands is a lively, colorful celebration that takes place in the three days leading up to Ash Wednesday, marking the start of Lent. The festivities officially begin in November, when the mayor ceremoniously hands over the city keys to Prince Carnival, who leads the fun for the duration of the event. Rooted in ancient fertility and spring festival traditions, Carnival in Holland is filled with singing, dancing, and pub crawling. Revelers embrace a vibrant spirit, donning elaborate costumes and masks to embody the playful and joyous atmosphere.

Events & Highlights

Towns transform for the festivities, adopting playful new names like Kruikenstad (Tilburg) and Lampegat (Eindhoven). Central to the event is lively street parades featuring colorful floats, enormous puppets, face paint, and music filled with "carnavalskrakers," satirical songs that poke fun at public figures. The festivities include bar-hopping, group dancing styles like "hossen" and the "polonaise," and performances by amateurish "Drunken Marching Bands" ("Zaate Hermeniekes").

In Limburg, music thrives in the streets, while in Brabant, pubs and halls host the celebrations. The cheerful Carnival greeting “Alaaf” resonates through many towns. Each city has its own Carnival traditions and dress codes. In Oeteldonk (Den Bosch), wear a black jacket and signature scarf, while in Lampegat (Eindhoven), the attire features orange and blue.

Carnaval Locations

To experience the most vibrant Carnival celebrations, head to the predominantly Catholic provinces of Limburg and Noord-Brabant. While the festivities share common themes, they vary slightly due to Brabant's Burgundian roots and Limburg's Rhenish influence. Key locations in Limburg include Maastricht and Venlo, while Eindhoven, Tilburg, Breda, and Den Bosch are highlights in Noord-Brabant. Even Nijmegen, located just north of Limburg in Gelderland, joins the Carnival spirit with its unique festivities. Carnival isn't a major tradition in Amsterdam, but there are still some events to enjoy during the festive period.

Maastricht Carnival

The three-day Carnival in Maastricht makes it one of the best party cities in the Netherlands for end-of-winter celebrations. Streets are filled with revelers in vibrant costumes, colorful floats, music, and dancing. Key events include the Prince Carnival selection at Markt Square, the Presentation of the Key (Sleuteloverdracht) on the Saturday before Carnival, and the Boonte Störrem Carnival parade on Carnival Sunday. Other highlights include the Procession of the Heeg, a youth parade on March 1 at 2:11 pm, followed by the Grand Carnival Procession 'Boonte Störrem' on March 2 at 1:33 pm. The festivities continue with various other parades across the city, such as the Groete Optoch and the Femilieoptoch on March 3.

Eindhoven Carnival

Eindhoven is one of the key cities for the Netherlands' annual Carnaval celebrations, where the city adopts the name Lampegat, referencing the Philips electronics company founded there. The city's Carnaval colors are orange and blue. The festivities kick off on Carnival Saturday with a lively parade through the streets, followed by a popular pub crawl in the Stratumseind area on Sunday. Monday's highlight is the much-anticipated appearance of the Prince of Eindhoven Carnival at Wilhelminaplein at 3 p.m. after a period of secrecy. The fun continues on Shrove Tuesday with a closing ceremony at the Markt, featuring music and entertainment to mark the end of the festive period.

Venlo Carnival

Venlo Carnival is among the most popular events in the Netherlands. The three-day celebration features several parades, multiple stages of entertainment, and the coronation of the Prince and Princess of the Carnival. One of the highlights of the festivities is the Rural Wedding, or “boda campesina,” held on the last day. Colorful costumes, giant puppets, street performers, and concerts make the Vastelaovend one of a kind.

Origins of Vastelaovend

Carnival has been celebrated in parts of the Netherlands for centuries, but it was in the 19th century that the modern festivities, including costumes and parades, began to take shape and became central to the celebration.