Looking for fun during the vacation? Then head south and experience the oldest and wildest party in the Netherlands. Dutch Carnaval, which has been celebrated since medieval times, is when the nation dresses up in funny costumes to drink and be very merry.
From February 24-28, Carnaval is celebrated throughout the Netherlands. This 5-day celebration of parades, floats and various other festivities ends on Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. The best place to experience Carnaval’s craziness is in the south of the Netherlands, although festivities are planned throughout the country, including in Delft.
Traditionally, Carnaval is a Roman Catholic celebration, but today it’s lost much of its religious meaning and is simply a big party for everyone to join. Carnaval precedes a time of fasting, Lent, which lasts for 40 days and ends with Easter. Although the celebrations nowadays are more oriented towards partying and drinking, Carnaval originated as a feast – the aim of which was to consume all the meat and fat before the fast began. This feast was normally held on the Tuesday before the fast started, hence the name Mardi Gras, as it’s called in New Orleans, or ‘Fat Tuesday’.
The name Carnaval probably derives from the Latin words carnem levare, meaning to remove or stop eating meat. The origin of Carnaval is unclear, but some theories suggest it predates Christianity as a pagan ritual celebrating the coming of spring. Unsuccessful attempts by the Roman Catholic Church to eradicate the feast among its conquered subjects caused it in time to be absorbed into church tradition.
An important aspect of Carnaval is the donning of masks and costumes and poking fun at the powers that be. Many parade themes and floats tell a visual story of something that has happened in politics or has been in the news. High-ranking officials and others in power are jeered at publicly, according to tradition. The festivities are seen as a way of equalizing, of bringing everyone to the same level. Partying and going a little mad are all part of the fun.
Delft Carnaval
In Delft, or ‘Het Kabbelgat’, as it’s called for this occasion, various activities have been organized. On Saturday February 25, a parade through downtown starts at 1 p.m., ending at the Markt, where all the floats and wagons will be on display. On Sunday February 26, a children’s parade through Delft center begins at 1 p.m., ending at the Brabantse Turfmarkt.
Monday February 27 is the day for music, when all the kapellen or bands come together on the Markt for the ‘Kakofonie’. This musical performance starts at 9 p.m., when all the bands will start playing at once. The kapellen will play for a while and then go into the bars or cafes of their choice. Those who enjoyed their playing on the Markt will then follow them, which makes up the last part of that evening: a mass exodus of people following their favorite bands into bars and cafes.
Beyond Delft
Carnaval is a big deal in the southern part of the Netherlands. It’s been described by some as getting a ‘fever’ and going crazy for a few days. Most people dress up in costumes with or without masks. The point is to be unrecognizable, and this is the aspect that many people enjoy most: they’re able to be themselves without being judged on how they look.
Maastricht is a popular destination for the partying crowd and for Carnaval first-timers who want to experience what the real Carnaval spirit is all about. Over the years, many towns and villages have developed their own variations on the traditions. For instance, Maastricht has a style similar to the Italian traditions, while the ‘Rijnlandsche Carnival’ has much more in common with its German and Belgian counterparts.
Whether staying in Delft or traveling south, don’t miss this chance to enjoy five days of wild and crazy Dutch Carnaval parties!
From February 24-28, Carnaval is celebrated throughout the Netherlands. This 5-day celebration of parades, floats and various other festivities ends on Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. The best place to experience Carnaval’s craziness is in the south of the Netherlands, although festivities are planned throughout the country, including in Delft.
Traditionally, Carnaval is a Roman Catholic celebration, but today it’s lost much of its religious meaning and is simply a big party for everyone to join. Carnaval precedes a time of fasting, Lent, which lasts for 40 days and ends with Easter. Although the celebrations nowadays are more oriented towards partying and drinking, Carnaval originated as a feast – the aim of which was to consume all the meat and fat before the fast began. This feast was normally held on the Tuesday before the fast started, hence the name Mardi Gras, as it’s called in New Orleans, or ‘Fat Tuesday’.
The name Carnaval probably derives from the Latin words carnem levare, meaning to remove or stop eating meat. The origin of Carnaval is unclear, but some theories suggest it predates Christianity as a pagan ritual celebrating the coming of spring. Unsuccessful attempts by the Roman Catholic Church to eradicate the feast among its conquered subjects caused it in time to be absorbed into church tradition.
An important aspect of Carnaval is the donning of masks and costumes and poking fun at the powers that be. Many parade themes and floats tell a visual story of something that has happened in politics or has been in the news. High-ranking officials and others in power are jeered at publicly, according to tradition. The festivities are seen as a way of equalizing, of bringing everyone to the same level. Partying and going a little mad are all part of the fun.
Delft Carnaval
In Delft, or ‘Het Kabbelgat’, as it’s called for this occasion, various activities have been organized. On Saturday February 25, a parade through downtown starts at 1 p.m., ending at the Markt, where all the floats and wagons will be on display. On Sunday February 26, a children’s parade through Delft center begins at 1 p.m., ending at the Brabantse Turfmarkt.
Monday February 27 is the day for music, when all the kapellen or bands come together on the Markt for the ‘Kakofonie’. This musical performance starts at 9 p.m., when all the bands will start playing at once. The kapellen will play for a while and then go into the bars or cafes of their choice. Those who enjoyed their playing on the Markt will then follow them, which makes up the last part of that evening: a mass exodus of people following their favorite bands into bars and cafes.
Beyond Delft
Carnaval is a big deal in the southern part of the Netherlands. It’s been described by some as getting a ‘fever’ and going crazy for a few days. Most people dress up in costumes with or without masks. The point is to be unrecognizable, and this is the aspect that many people enjoy most: they’re able to be themselves without being judged on how they look.
Maastricht is a popular destination for the partying crowd and for Carnaval first-timers who want to experience what the real Carnaval spirit is all about. Over the years, many towns and villages have developed their own variations on the traditions. For instance, Maastricht has a style similar to the Italian traditions, while the ‘Rijnlandsche Carnival’ has much more in common with its German and Belgian counterparts.
Whether staying in Delft or traveling south, don’t miss this chance to enjoy five days of wild and crazy Dutch Carnaval parties!
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