Weekendo
Magisch Maastricht (Vrijthof)
The big winter village on the Vrijthof: chalets, a Ferris wheel, a covered ice rink and bars that stay open late.
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Vastelaovend Mestreech – Maastricht Carnival
Markt (Merret), Maastricht – parade start Wycker Brugstraat · Maastricht, NetherlandsSeason6 February – 9 February 2027
Todayclosed
Entryfree
Whereoutdoors
Free street carnival; no tickets for the parades.
About the event
Maastricht's carnival happens on the street, across the whole old town, and locals take pride in a complete home-made costume, the 'pekske'. On Saturday the city prince arrives by train and parades to the Markt square, where he receives the key at the town hall. On Sunday the Mooswief, a giant doll, is hoisted above the Markt, and at 1.33 pm the Groete Optoch sets off from Wycker Brugstraat. Monday's family parade (Femilie Optoch) starts at 2.22 pm and files past Momus on the Vrijthof. Tuesday belongs to the brass street bands, the hermeniekes, who play on stages around town until midnight, when the Mooswief comes down and the party ends.
Season calendar
February 2027
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Tap a day to see the hours.
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Dates and hours
Sat 6 Feb from 12:00: prince arrives. Sun 7 Feb: Mooswief at 12:00, main parade at 13:33. Mon 8 Feb: family parade at 14:22. Tue 9 Feb from 12:00: street bands, ends at midnight. Parade end times are not published; they are estimates (start + 3 h).
- Sat 6 February — 12:00–15:00. Prince arrives by train, procession to the Markt and key handover
- Sun 7 February — 12:00–16:33. Mooswief hoisted on the Markt (12:00), main parade Groete Optoch (13:33)
- Mon 8 February — 14:22–17:22. Family parade (Femilie Optoch), march-past on the Vrijthof
- Tue 9 February — 12:00–23:59. Street band day (Zate Hermeniekes); the Mooswief comes down at midnight
Combine with
Christmas markets nearby for the same trip.
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A Christmas market underground in the marl passages of the Gemeentegrot: sheltered from the weather, with timed tickets.
WinterGlow – Christmas Town Valkenburg
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Genk Christmas market
Christmas market in Genk — from 4 December to 3 January 2027. A city-centre winter event: ice rink and chalets on the Fruitmarkt, a winter village on the Stadsplein and Santa's house.
Wintertijd Heerlen
Winter village on two squares in central Heerlen: ice rink, ice slide, curling, a winter café and a winter market on some Sundays.
Vastelaovend Mestreech – Maastricht Carnival47 places nearby