Aalst Carnaval
UNESCO-erkend driedaags volkscarnaval met de zondagsstoet, het ajuinworpen op maandag, de Voil Jeanettenstoet en de poppenverbranding op dinsdagavond.
Leverage UNESCO-recognized Aalst Carnaval's three-day spectacle and unique traditions (onion-throwing, puppet burning) to drive tourism, hospitality bookings, and experiential travel campaigns.
- Experience UNESCO heritage: Plan your Aalst Carnaval trip with exclusive local guides and accommodation packages
- Behind the tradition: The story of onion-throwing and puppet burning—Belgium's most unique carnival rituals
- Festival season is here: Book your carnaval weekend getaway before spots fill up
- Cultural immersion: Join thousands at the Sunday parade, Monday festivities, and Tuesday spectacle
Aalst Carnaval is celebrated annually for three days before Ash Wednesday. In 2026, the festivities start on Sunday, 15 February. The celebrations begin with an impressive Sunday parade featuring around 70 permanent groups and more than 200 informal groups, with floats and colorful costumes reflecting the satire and mockery Aalst is known for. Monday features the parade, broom dance, onion throw, and award ceremony, while Tuesday culminates with the Voil Jeanetten parade and puppet burning. It is a unique blend of satire, creativity, and pure folk celebration.
Saturday 14 February, evening
Humorous city council session: Prince Carnival receives city key; local politicians mocked (in local Oilsjters dialect)
Sunday 15 February, 13:00–21:00+
Sunday parade (Zondagstoet) starts at Statieplein, first floats reach Grote Markt ~15:00. ~70 permanent groups + 226 loose groups with satirical floats & costumes. Access to Grote Markt closed from 20:45.
Monday 16 February, 13:30–22:00+
Monday parade (Maandagsstoet) starts 13:30. Broom Dance by Gilles 14:00 on Grote Markt. Onion throw (Ajuinworp) 14:30 on Grote Markt. Prize ceremony 21:30 on Grote Markt (judged from Sunday performance).
Tuesday 17 February, 15:00–22:00+
Voil Jeanettenstoet parade starts 15:00 on Grote Markt (men in women's costumes). Pop burning (Popverbranding) 21:00 on Grote Markt; live viewing on Vredeplein screens.
Friday 6 Feb – Sunday 22 Feb (daily, 19:00+)
100+ carnival rides and nostalgic fair stands across multiple city squares (Winterfoor).
- Sunday's original carnival parade features more than seventy Aalst groups and 226 'loose groups' giving their personal and humorous take on figures and events from the past year
- The Aalst Gilles perform, followed by the onion throw where the Prince Carnival throws thousands of candy onions from the city hall balcony, with a golden onion as the grand prize
- Tuesday features the Voil Jeanettenstoet ('Parade of the Dirty Sissies') starting at 15:00 on the Grote Markt, with elaborately made-up men in women's outfits with oversized bras, corsets, and broken umbrellas
- More than 100 spectacular carnival rides and nostalgic fair stands operate daily from 6 February (19:00) through 22 February
- The pop burning on Tuesday evening at 21:00 concludes the carnival
- live viewing available on large screens at Vredeplein if main square is crowded
- The Sunday parade attracts around 90,000 spectators