How to celebrate carnaval in the Netherlands

You like it, or you don't. Carnaval is one of the biggest celebrations in the south of the Netherlands. If you’re new to the Netherlands or from one of the other provinces, you may be surprised by the costumes, parades, and street parties. We’ll take you along for the ride, so you know what the deal is during these festive days.

How Dutch is carnaval?  

Carnaval is not only a Dutch celebration. You may know it from other countries, as it's celebrated in many places where Catholic traditions are strong. In every region, it's celebrated in their own way. You might know the Brazilian carnaval, famous for its samba parades, dancers, and massive street celebrations. Or the Venetian carnaval, known for elegant masks and historical costumes. In the Netherlands, carnaval became more about local identity, humor, music, and celebrating together in cafés and streets.

The way carnaval is celebrated today is actually quite modern. The form we know now has mostly developed over the past 50 years. Parades, themed outfits, city nicknames, and community-led events grew alongside post-war culture and changing social norms. What stayed the same is the core idea. Carnaval is about connection, release, and shared experience.

For most people today, carnaval is a time for fun, laughter, and letting loose. But underneath the costumes and music, it’s still about the same thing it always was. Being together, breaking routine, and making memories before everyday life starts again.

Carnaval traditions in the Netherlands

To really understand carnaval, it helps to look at the traditions around it. These traditions explain why carnaval looks and feels the way it does today.

• Celebrate carnaval in the south
  Whether you actively celebrate carnaval or not, you will definitely notice it in the south of the Netherlands. The provinces of Noord-Brabant and Limburg are the heart of the celebrations. Almost every city and village organises events, parades, and parties. The bigger the city, the more there is to choose from.
  
  Popular places to celebrate include Breda, Tilburg, Den Bosch, Eindhoven, Venlo, and Maastricht. During carnaval, daily life in these areas slows down. Offices close earlier, and city centers turn into one big celebration. 
  
  Although Brabant and Limburg are both southern provinces, their carnaval traditions differ. In Brabant, the focus is on humor, satire, and socializing. Most celebrations take place in bars, cafés, and large tents. In Limburg, traditions are often more formal. The role of the prince of carnaval is more prominent, local dialect music plays a bigger role, and parades are a key part of the festivities.
  
  Outside of Brabant and Limburg, carnaval is also celebrated in parts of Gelderland, especially in and around Nijmegen, although on a smaller scale.
  
  
• Start of the carnaval season
  The carnaval season officially starts every year on November 11 at 11:11, known as 'de elfde van de elfde'. The number 11 has long been associated with silliness and breaking rules, which fits perfectly with the spirit of carnaval.
  
  From that moment on, the season is considered open. In the months leading up to carnaval, floats are built, songs are written, and outfits are prepared. In many southern cities, the prince or princess of carnaval is introduced on November 11, often during festive ceremonies. Don't be surprised if you already see people dressed up on this day.
  
  
• Mark your calendar
  Carnaval officially runs from Sunday to Tuesday, but in many cities the celebrations start earlier, often on Thursday or Friday. Carnaval always takes place seven weeks before Easter. In 2026, it's carnaval from February 14 to February 16. You can mark your calendar for the upcoming years: February 6 to February 9 in 2027 and February 27 to March 2 in 2028. 
  
  The busiest days are usually Saturday, Sunday, and Monday evening. On Wednesday, known as 'Aswoensdag', carnaval comes to an end and the fasting period begins. It is traditional to eat foods like worstenbrood or herring on this day as a final farewell to the celebration.

• The prince or princess of carnaval
  Each carnaval association appoints a prince or princess who symbolically takes over the city during carnaval. In many places, the mayor hands over the key to the city, marking the start of the celebrations.
  
  The prince or princess is supported by adjudants and the 'Raad van Elf', a group that helps organise events and rituals throughout the season. In the weeks before carnaval, many towns host 'zittingsavonden'. These are festive evenings filled with humorous performances, cabaret, music, and dance, often organised by local associations.
  
  
• Temporary city names
  During carnaval, many cities and villages temporarily change their names. These names are often linked to local history or carnaval associations and are used everywhere during the celebrations, from street signs to speeches and songs.
  
  For example, Maastricht becomes Mestreech, Eindhoven turns into Lampegat, Den Bosch becomes Oeteldonk, Tilburg is known as Kruikenstad, and Arnhem changes to Ernem.
  
  
• Costumes
  Costumes are an essential part of carnaval. They are meant to be playful, exaggerated, and often satirical. Unlike Halloween, carnaval costumes are not meant to be scary but humorous and expressive.
  
  In Brabant, almost anything goes. People dress up as characters, objects, or inside jokes, and creativity matters more than tradition. In Limburg, costumes often reflect local customs and music traditions, and parades may feature more structured or artistic outfits.
  
  Some cities have their own unwritten dress codes. In Den Bosch, for example, many people wear a jacket covered in patches and a scarf in the city’s colours instead of a full costume. In Tilburg, orange and green are common, while Eindhoven is known for orange and blue.
  
  One practical tip. Carnaval takes place in winter, and you will spend a lot of time outside. Layers are your friend.
  
  
• Parades
  In many cities, the parade is the highlight of carnaval. Parades take place in city centres and feature large themed floats, marching bands, and performers in costume. Local carnaval associations spend months building the floats, often adding moving parts and playful political or social references.
  
  For locals, watching or joining the parade is a key moment of the carnaval experience. It brings together neighborhoods, families, and generations, and perfectly shows what carnaval is about. Community, creativity, and celebrating together. Some of our tips are the parades in Den Bosch (Oeteldonk), Bergen op Zoom (Krabbegat), and Prinsenbeek (Boemeldonck). Google it and you get why ;-) 
  
  

Experiencing carnaval for the first time

Are you new to carnaval? If you want to experience it like a local, here’s how to get started.

• Dress up 
  Even if you do not have a full costume, do something. Wear bright colours, add a wig, use face paint, or grab a funny accessory. It's less about looking perfect and more about showing you're part of it. Bonus tip: wear comfortable shoes. You'll walk more than you think.
  
  
• Learn a few local songs 
  You don't need a full playlist. Learn one chorus, and you're in. Carnaval is very sing-along friendly, and people love it when you join in. If you're not sure where to start, ask someone what everyone is singing. That question always works.
  
  
• Go in with an open mind 
  Carnaval is not polished. It's loud, messy, and proud of it. Everyone joins in. It's one of the few moments in Dutch culture where talking to strangers is normal. Compliment an outfit. Ask what the costume is. Ask where the best party is. You'll get an answer, promised.
  
  
• Follow the flow 
  If you don't know where to go, don't overthink it. Start in the city center, follow the music, and move with the crowd. Parades, squares, cafés, and street parties are all part of the same route.  
  
  
• Start early, finish whenever 
  Yes, day drinking is part of the culture. So is stopping when you're done. Eat before you go out. Drink water in between. Take breaks. No one wins carnaval by going all in on day one. The real pro move is pacing yourself. 
  
  

The origins of carnaval

This may be new to you, but carnaval has deep historical and religious roots. It started as a Catholic celebration and marks the final days before Lent. Lent is a period of 40 days leading up to Easter, traditionally focused on fasting, reflection, and restraint. Carnaval was the moment to let go one last time before that quieter period began.

Back in the day, letting go was very practical. People cleared out their pantries before the fasting period started. Rich foods, meat, sugar, butter, and alcohol were consumed, so nothing would go to waste. So yes, eating and drinking were part of the tradition from the very beginning. But carnaval was never just about food. It was also about turning daily life upside down for a short while. Social rules softened. People dressed up, wore masks, and stepped into different roles. Farmers dressed as kings. Serious adults became playful. Satire and humor were used to poke fun at authority and everyday life. For a few days, everyone was equal, and that sense of togetherness mattered. 

Whether you're in Brabant, Limburg, Gelderland, or just curious about the celebrations, carnaval is a great way to experience Dutch culture in its most festive form. Enjoy the party and Alaaf!