Immerse yourself in vastelaovend: carnival in North Limburg
Talk about golden times... Have you ever celebrated vastelaovend? Carnival in North Limburg, that's when things really start to flow. From the liquid gold in the glasses to the polonaise garlands on the streets. Vastelaovend is part of Northern Limburg and that's why you shouldn't miss it. Immerse yourself in the traditions, taste some of the atmosphere and then grab your diary. Will you come and celebrate carnival in North Limburg in 2026?
- What you need to know about carnival...
- ...and about vastelaovend in North Limburg
- Vastelaovend in brief
- Vastelaovend in North Limburg: this is how we do it
- Carnival 2026 in North Limburg: this is the place to be
What you need to know about carnival...
Carnival is an ancient folk festival full of traditions. Its origins date back to before Christianity, when people wanted to celebrate the transition from the cold winter to the blossoming spring. Celebrants then wore masks and disguises to chase away evil spirits. With the advent of Christianity, the festival took on a different meaning. It was then seen as a period of celebration when you could let loose one last time, before fasting for forty days until Easter. There are 'vastelaovesvierders' who still do that: three days of feasting, forty days sober.
...and about vastelaovend in North Limburg
In Limburg, we call carnival 'vastelaovend': the evening before the start of Lent. It is not a Burgundian carnival like in Brabant, but more Rhineland carnival. It descends from Cologne carnival, with many traditions from Venetian carnival. Limburg carnival is a celebration full of togetherness and traditions. Not a fancy dress party, but a popular culture. You could almost call it heritage. We celebrate it together: neighbours and friends, the baker and the butcher, young and old. Many celebrate it with clubs and groups set up especially for carnival. That's what makes it really golden.
Vastelaovend in brief
- The vastelaoven period officially begins at eleven past eleven on the eleventh of the eleventh: 11 November at 11.11am, in other words.
- According to tradition, vastelaovend lasts for three days: Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Tuesday night is Shrove Tuesday, the last night to go wild. On Ash Wednesday, the festivities end.
- In 2026, carnival will start on Sunday 15 February. Yet in some places there are activities even in the days before.
- Prince Carnival receives the key to his own district, village or town during vastelaovend. For three days, he is in charge, symbolically replacing the mayor. North Limburg has a lot of princes, adjutants and princesses at this time of year.
- Carnival associations play an important role in vastelaovend. They organise many celebrations and often participate in the parades. Many residents of northern Limburg are members of such associations.
Vastelaovend in North Limburg: this is how we do it - vastelaovend is something we are brought up on. And so that includes our own traditions and customs.
Face painting and 'pekskes'
You just read it: vastelaovend is a Rhineland version of carnival, which has 'borrowed' elements from the Venetian carnival. You can see that Venetian character in the painted faces of the vastelaovend celebrants: colourful, ornate and full of glitter. Not a line here and there - no, a face full of make-up. All colours pass by, but green, yellow and red are the most common. These are the typical colours of Rhineland carnival. The costumes are also called 'pekskes'. We do our best on the pekskes: many vastelaovendvierders in Limburg make them themselves or have them made. The only requirement? They have to be warm. Otherwise you'll be shivering at the parade or street carnival.
Vastelaovendliedjes in dialect
We know full well that with carnival there's 'a horse in the corridor and everyone wants to be a florist. Yet in North Limburg, we mainly play our own carnival hits. That is, we sing in our own dialect. You can hear the vastelaovendliedjes on the streets, at the joekskapellen and in the pubs. Feel free to sing along, and otherwise.... The polonaise everyone understands.
'n Good ground for hopping
Good food is part of Limburg carnival. Without a solid base, you won't keep up the hosing nearly as well. What's on the menu a lot during Lentelaovend? Eggs with bacon, a hearty soup or steaming stew are always good. Or we gorge ourselves on bacon mash: 'kerboet' we also call it. It is made of pork cooked in broth, buckwheat or wheat flour and spices. It often contains messy herbs: a mix of herbs and spices that makes the balkenbrij nice and sweet.
Curious about genuine North Limburg delicacies? Then read our blog 6x Limburg regional products and where to find them.
Local traditions: herringhappen, buutte evenings and farmers' weddings
Vastelaovendtraditions are often very local. For instance, in several pubs in northern Limburg you can come 'hiéring-schelle': herring-happening after carnival, on Ash Wednesday. 'Tis a tradition that is disappearing more and more, so you don't come across it so often anymore. Buuttevonden are on the agenda in many places. Outside Limburg, this is known as 'tonpraten': a piece of cabaret performed in a barrel. Buuttevonden are the same, but completely in the local dialect. And have you ever heard of farmers' weddings? That's when two fellow villagers - dressed in peasant costumes - are joined in matrimony.
Carnival 2026 in North Limburg: this is the place to be - Coming to celebrate Lentelaovend? These are our golden tips for carnival 2026 in North Limburg.
Frequently asked questions about vastelaovend
Vastelaovend is the Limburg form of carnival, based on the Rhineland (Cologne) carnival. It is a folk festival with a strong focus on traditions and togetherness. Not a costume party, but a culture of being together, speaking dialect and celebrating with each other.
Discover more traditions and legends in North Limburg.
The word 'vastelaovend' comes from Vastenavond: the last (Tuesday) evening before Lent begins until Easter.
You can celebrate carnival - or vastelaovend - in 2026 at various places in North Limburg. For example, take a look in carnival city Venlo at the Boètegewoeëne Boètezitting: the grand kick-off of vastelaovend. In Venray, you can have a good time at the parties of Roetsj & Lensjekke. And would you like to see a beautiful parade? Then come and have a look in Molenhoek, in Mook and Middelaar.
More golden moments - There is so much more to experience! Read our tips.
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