Hasselt Carnival (Hasselt Carnaval)

Hasselt celebrates carnival at mid-Lent around an international parade that reached its 75th edition in 2026. The weekend traditionally opens on Friday with the blessing of the floats. On Saturday 'Hendrik', the town's first carnival-goer, is installed, there is a mass in Hasselt dialect and children have their own parade to the Grote Markt. On Sunday the international carnival parade, led by an advertising caravan, makes a loop through the centre. On Monday Hendrik is collected, the key goes back to the mayor and the festivities end with a herring meal; times for 2027 will follow.