Weekendo
Cologne Geisterzug (Jeisterzoch)
On the evening of Saturday 30 January, Cologne's alternative ghost parade rolls through the city with samba and Guggen bands, pot-lid drummers and spooky costumes. Route and times for 2027 are still to be announced.
Carnivals 2027: Binche, Cologne, Maastricht, Dunkirk
From Fat Thursday to Shrove Tuesday, 4–9 February 2027, and on to Laetare on 7 March, towns in Belgium and its neighbours bring out their parades, giants and costumes.
Dates and programmes come from the official websites of towns and committees, with the date of the check. Many 2027 programmes appear in January: until then, the page says so and gives the traditional day.
56 events
Vastelaovend in Zitterd – Sittard Groote Optoch
In Sittard: a children's parade on 31 January 2027, the satirical Groote Optoch with over 3,000 participants on Sunday 7 February, and a parade of lit-up wheelbarrows on Monday evening.
Aachen Carnival – Rosenmontagszug (Öcher Fastelovvend)
Right by the Dutch and Belgian borders, Aachen's carnival peaks on Monday 8 February at 11:11 am with a parade of about 5 km to the Markt. Town hall storming on Thursday 4 February and a big children's costume parade on Sunday 7 February.
Beuel Weiberfastnacht (Beueler Weiberfastnacht)
On Thursday 4 February, Beuel celebrates as the birthplace of Weiberfastnacht: the Wäscherprinzessin leads the parade and the women fight for the town hall on Möhneplatz. Programme starts at 10 am, free.
Cologne Carnival (Kölner Karneval)
Germany's biggest carnival: the women's day parade on Thursday 4 February, school and neighbourhood groups on Sunday 7 February, and the Rosenmontagszug on Monday 8 February from 10 am through the old town and around the cathedral.
Düsseldorf Carnival – Rosenmontagszug
Women storm the town hall on Thursday 4 February, the city strolls in costume along the Königsallee on Sunday 7 February, and on Monday 8 February comes one of Germany's most satirical parades, with Jacques Tilly's political floats.
Eschweiler Rosenmontagszug
A small town with a huge parade: on Monday 8 February from noon, some 6,500 participants, 65 bands and 130 vehicles cover almost 6 km through central Eschweiler, watched by more than 150,000 people.
Eupen Carnival and Rose Monday Parade
Eupen celebrates Rhineland-style carnival: Altweiber on 4 February 2027, a children's parade on Sunday the 7th and, on Monday the 8th, the Rosenmontagszug, East Belgium's biggest parade, held since 1884.
Kelmis Carnival and Rose Monday Parade
Kelmis has held carnival parades since 1879. From 4 to 8 February 2027: Altweiber, a children's parade, the Sunday parade and, on Monday, the Rosenmontagszug, which ends with the burning of the 'Küsch'.
Prüm Rosenmontagsumzug
Small-town Eifel carnival near the Belgian border: a tent party on Thursday 4 February, then on Monday 8 February a parade through the Carolingian abbey town of Prüm, followed by a party in the festival tent.
Raeren Carnival Sunday Parade (Tulpensonntag)
On Sunday 7 February 2027 Raeren hosts East Belgium's biggest carnival Sunday parade: over 50 groups and around 3,000 participants, greeted by the two prince teams from the town-hall balcony.
Bailleul Carnival
From 5 to 9 February 2027, five days of Flemish carnival around the giant Gargantua: a night parade on Friday, the grand parade on Sunday, a children's carnival on Monday and the Mardi gras parade.
Carnaval in ut Kielegat (Breda)
From Friday 5 to Tuesday 9 February 2027, Breda becomes 't Kielegat: opening on the Grote Markt, the prince's entry, a big float parade on Monday and, on Tuesday night, the burning of Kiske and Mieske.
Vastelaovend in Remunj – Roermond Carnival
From 5 to 9 February 2027, Roermond celebrates Vastelaovend: parties on the Stationsplein, the big parade through the old town on Monday at 1.11 pm and, on Tuesday, Bacchus thrown into the river Roer.
Blankenberge Carnival
The Belgian coast's big carnival: a week of festivities during the spring half-term, with the parade on Sunday 7 February at 2.30 pm bringing floats and costumed societies through the town-centre streets.
Carnaval in Kruikenstad – Den Opstoet (Tilburg)
From 6 to 9 February 2027, Tilburg becomes Kruikenstad: the prince arrives by train on Saturday, Den Opstoet parade runs on Sunday, the children's parade on Tuesday, and it all ends at 11.11 pm at the Stadsforum.
Carnaval in Lampegat – Lampegatse Optocht (Eindhoven)
On carnival Saturday, 6 February 2027, at 1.11 pm, the Lampegatse Optocht rolls through central Eindhoven – renamed Lampegat and turned into one big party zone of tents, squares and the Stratumseind bar street.
Groeëte Optoch va Heële – Heerlen Carnival Parade
On carnival Sunday, 7 February 2027, Heerlen's big parade – billed by the city as the largest in the Netherlands – fills the centre, with a children's parade the day before. 2027 times to follow.
Heist Carnival (Heist viert Carnaval)
Carnival in a fishing village: fishermen's mass and grand parade on Sunday, sprat night in the cafés on Monday, the golden babelutte throw and an illuminated evening parade on Tuesday.
Kirchröadsjer Vasteloavend – Kerkrade Jroeëse Tsóg
From 6 to 9 February 2027, Kerkrade celebrates carnival in its own dialect: a children's parade, the key handover, the big Jroeëse Tsóg on Monday at 11.11 am and clown groups on Tuesday.
Maaseik Carnival and the Internasjonale Hawfvastestoet
In Maaseik a carnival society founded in 1865 keeps the festivities alive in dialect: opening on 6 February, a clown parade on Tuesday evening, then the big international mid-Lent parade on 7 March.
Mainz Carnival – Rosenmontagszug (Mainzer Fastnacht)
One of Germany's big three parades: on Monday 8 February at 11:11 am sharp, floats, guards and bands leave the Neustadt for about four hours of parade to the cathedral squares. Youth mask parade on Saturday, guards' parade on Sunday.
Malmedy Cwarmê carnival
From 6 to 9 February 2027 Malmedy celebrates its 567th Cwarmê, a carnival lived in Walloon dialect. Haguètes and other traditional masks lead the big Sunday parade, Monday's satirical 'Rôles' and Tuesday's burning of the Haguète.
Oeteldonk Carnival ('s-Hertogenbosch)
From 6 to 8 February 2027, 's-Hertogenbosch turns into Oeteldonk: Prince Amadeiro arrives at 11.11 am on Sunday, and on Monday the Grote Optocht, running since 1882, fills the streets.
Vastelaovend Mestreech – Maastricht Carnival
From Saturday 6 to Tuesday 9 February 2027, all of old Maastricht dresses up: the prince arrives, the big parade runs on Sunday, the family parade on Monday, and Tuesday belongs to the street bands.
Vastenavend in 't Krabbegat (Bergen op Zoom)
From 6 to 9 February 2027, Bergen op Zoom celebrates Vastenavend: the prince's entry, a street band festival, children's carnival and, on Tuesday, a parade of giant floats before the crow falls.
Aalst Carnival (Aalst Carnaval)
Three days of satirical carnival in Aalst: floats poking fun at the news, the Gilles' broom dance and the onion throw on Monday, then the Voil Jeanetten and the burning of the doll on Tuesday night.
Binche Carnival
From 7 to 9 February 2027, Binche holds its UNESCO-listed carnival. The high point is Shrove Tuesday, when the Gilles dance from dawn in wax masks and, in the afternoon, throw oranges wearing tall ostrich-feather hats.
Bitburg Carnival Parade (Bitburger Karnevalsumzug)
On Carnival Sunday, 7 February, a family-friendly Eifel parade of walking groups, small floats and music crosses central Bitburg, followed by a party and float prizes on the Bedaplatz. 2027 times to follow.
Bonn Rosenmontagszug (Ruusemondagszoch)
On Monday 8 February at noon, the Prince and Bonna lead Bonn's parade via Münsterplatz and the Markt, throwing sweets and small flower bouquets ('Strüssje'). Sunday 7 February: Bad Godesberg parade at 1:11 pm and town hall storming at 3 pm.
Carnavalstoet Lommel-Centrum (Lommel carnival parade)
A traditional Campine carnival that opens the spring half-term: a big parade through central Lommel on Sunday 7 February and a children's parade in Lutlommel on Monday. Bring a bag for the sweets.
Cassel Carnival – Reuze Papa and Reuze Maman
Two carnivals in hilltop Cassel: the winter one with Reuze Papa (expected on 7 February 2027) and Easter Monday, 29 March 2027, the only day Reuze Maman comes out, marking Reuze Papa's 200th birthday.
Diekirch Cavalcade
On Sunday 7 February 2027 at 2 pm, the 59th Diekirch Cavalcade opens Luxembourg's carnival parade season with floats, marching bands and costumed groups through the town.
Dunkirk Carnival – Les Trois Joyeuses
The three peak days of Dunkirk's carnival, expected from 7 to 9 February 2027: thousands of costumed revellers follow fife-and-drum bands, and on Sunday smoked herrings are thrown from the town hall.
St. Vith Grand Carnival Parade
On Sunday 7 February 2027, St. Vith in the heart of the Belgian Eifel holds its grand carnival parade: some forty groups, the cry of 'Fahr'm Dar!' and a tradition dating back to 1867.
Venlose Vastelaovend – Venlo Carnival
Sunday 7 to Tuesday 9 February 2027 in Venlo: a children's parade, the big Groëten Optoch on Monday and, on Tuesday, the Boerebroélof – a mock farmers' wedding on the town hall steps.
Stolberg Rosenmontagszug
On Monday 8 February from 2:30 to 5 pm, Stolberg's parade winds through the historic centre of the copper town below the castle. Its afternoon start makes it easy to combine with the morning parades in Aachen or Eschweiler.
Trier Rosenmontagszug
On Monday 8 February at 11:11 am, the Trier region's biggest parade crosses Germany's oldest city from south to north, past the Hauptmarkt to the Porta Nigra. After-parade party from 3 pm in the SWT-Arena.
Verloren Maandagstoet, Sint-Truiden carnival parade
On carnival Monday, 8 February, Sint-Truiden hosts Limburg's big international parade: floats and costumed groups from 1.11 pm, starting at Schurhoven and carrying on into the evening. Free.
Lichtstoet Heerlen – illuminated carnival parade
On carnival Tuesday, 9 February 2027, at 8.11 pm, an evening parade in which every float and group must be lit up winds through central Heerlen – with nothing but carnival music.
Mönchengladbach Veilchendienstagszug
The region's biggest parade comes on Shrove Tuesday: on 9 February 2027 at 1:11 pm the Veilchendienstagszug sets off across the whole of central Mönchengladbach to Eicken. A perfect way to end the carnival.
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Remich Cavalcade and Stréimännchen
In the Moselle town of Remich, the Stréimännchen straw figure is burned on Ash Wednesday (10 February 2027), and the mid-Lent cavalcade parades on Sunday 7 March 2027 at 2.30 pm.
Ninove Carnival
Ninove holds its satirical carnival a week after everyone else, 13 to 16 February: children's carnival, a big Sunday parade, the carrot throw on Monday and the burning of the carrot on Tuesday.
Schifflange Cavalcade
On Sunday 14 February 2027 the Schifflange Cavalcade, one of Luxembourg's best-known carnival parades, takes over Avenue de la Libération; the start time will be announced later.
Arlon Carnival (46th cavalcade)
From 25 to 28 February 2027 Arlon holds the big carnival of Belgium's Luxembourg province: the dressing of the stag, balls, the prince's enthronement and, on Sunday the 28th, the Grande Cavalcade with about fifty groups, Gilles and Guggenmusik bands.
Hasselt Carnival (Hasselt Carnaval)
At mid-Lent Hasselt holds a carnival weekend with its international parade on Sunday 7 March, the installation of 'Hendrik', a mass in local dialect and a children's parade.
Ostend Carnival (Carnaval Oostende)
Four days of carnival in Ostend, 5 to 8 March, centred on a Spiegeltent on the Groentemarkt: the burning of Tjannie Carbon, a children's parade and the big Sunday parade ending with the Kloeffeworp at the Kursaal.
Tilff Laetare Carnival
From 5 to 7 March 2027 Tilff, in the Ourthe valley, celebrates Laetare: the prince is enthroned on Friday, balls follow on Saturday, and Sunday brings the parade, the Porais and giants' rondeau and the burning of the Macrâle at 7.30 pm.
Tournai Carnival (47th edition)
From 5 to 7 March 2027 Tournai holds the 47th edition of its carnival on the theme 'De l'autre côté du miroir' (Through the Looking-Glass), with the confréries parading through the historic centre. The detailed programme is still to come.
Halle Carnival (Carnaval Halle)
On Laetare weekend Halle enjoys three 'crazy nights': a devil parade on Saturday, an afternoon parade and the big illuminated Lichtstoet on Sunday, and on Monday the Krottenmaandag parade, fireworks and the burning of carnival.
Laetare and Chinels Carnival
In Fosses-la-Ville, Laetare belongs to the Chinels, hunchbacked Punchinello figures in bright satin with wooden swords. The parade is expected on Sunday 7 March 2027, ending with the Chinels' rondeau on Place du Marché.
Nuetskavalkad Wasserbillig (night parade)
On Saturday 6 March 2027 at 6.11 pm, lit-up floats, Guggemusik bands and walking groups parade after dark through Wasserbillig, where the Sauer meets the Moselle.
Stavelot Laetare
From 6 to 8 March 2027, Stavelot's 522nd Laetare brings out the Blancs-Moussis in white hoods and long red noses: an illuminated night parade on Saturday, the big parade and rondeau on Sunday, and fireworks in the evening.
La Louvière Laetare
From 7 to 9 March 2027, La Louvière holds its Laetare, the biggest Gilles carnival after Binche: Gilles collected at dawn, oranges thrown outside the town hall, a giants' parade on Monday and the 'brûlage des bosses' on Tuesday night.
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Pétange Cavalcade (Péitenger Kavalkad)
On Sunday 7 March 2027 the Péitenger Kavalkad celebrates its 70th edition: a carnival parade with an international line-up that, by tradition, sets off at 2.11 pm.
Welkenraedt-Herbesthal Laetare Carnival
On Laetare Sunday, 7 March 2027, some forty floats link Welkenraedt and Herbesthal in a Rhineland-style parade billed as the only one that crosses the border between Belgium's French- and German-speaking Communities.
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Bonn 2Cologne 2Heerlen 2's-Hertogenbosch 1Aachen 1Aalst 1Arlon 1Bailleul 1Bergen op Zoom 1Binche 1Bitburg 1Blankenberge 1Breda 1Cassel 1Diekirch 1Dunkirk 1Düsseldorf 1Eindhoven 1Eschweiler 1Eupen 1Fosses-la-Ville 1Halle 1Hasselt 1Heist (Knokke-Heist) 1Kelmis 1Kerkrade 1La Louvière 1Lommel 1Maaseik 1Maastricht 1Mainz 1Malmedy 1Mönchengladbach 1Ninove 1Ostend 1Prüm 1Pétange 1Raeren 1Remich 1Roermond 1Schifflange 1Sint-Truiden 1Sittard 1St. Vith 1Stavelot 1Stolberg 1Tilburg 1Tilff 1Tournai 1Trier 1Venlo 1Wasserbillig 1Welkenraedt 1
Frequently asked questions
When are the carnivals in 2027?
The carnival days run from Thursday 4 to Tuesday 9 February 2027 (Easter is on 28 March); Laetare falls on Sunday 7 March. Each page gives the town's dates.
Are the parades free?
Watching a parade from the street is almost always free; grandstands, balls and tent parties often charge — see each page.