Hasselt Carnaval - Internationale Carnavalsstoet

Three days of Hasselt carnival with the international parade leaving Sunday at 14:11.

Marketing angleinferred

Drive tourism and local spending during Hasselt's three-day carnival celebration by positioning hospitality, dining, and retail experiences around the international parade spectacle.

Relevance 55medium intent

Plan your Hasselt carnival weekend: parade times, street closures & must-see floats
Local restaurant & bar specials during Carnavalsstoet—book your table now
Hasselt carnival 2024: family-friendly activities beyond the Sunday parade
International parade traditions meet Belgian carnival culture—travel guide

Programme

Hasselt Carnaval takes place 13–16 March 2026 as a four-day halfvastenstoet (Carnival parade) tradition in the Limburg city centre. The event features multiple parades, street ambiance, staged ceremonies, and draws thousands of visitors with colourful decorated floats, local and international carnival associations, youth groups, music, and street performances.

Friday 13 March: Doop (blessing & christening) of carnival floats at Stadsheide 41 (19:30–23:00) with free entry and musical performances
Saturday 14 March: Children's carnival parade (Kindercarnavalsstoet) from 14:33, a colourful mix of youth, schools, associations departing from Quartier Bleu
Sunday 15 March 14:11: Main International Parade (Internationale Carnavalsstoet) led by Prince Dirk 2, featuring a detailed route through city centre streets ending at Kolonel-Dusartplein
DJ Andy Gijbels hosts the "Straat van de Ambiance" on Capucienenstraat during the parade
evening ambiance provided by the Knepkes group (18:00–23:11) in their festival tent
Monday 16 March: Closing ceremony—removal of the Hendrik carnival effigy (18:30), key transfer ceremony at Oud Gouvernement, and return of power to city officials
Free entry all weekend with a tent on Kolonel Dusartplein hosting live DJ performances and entertainment
Family-friendly, all ages
mix of local carnival associations, schools, youth groups, and international participants (typically 40–50 groups)
city-centre street audiences
estimated thousands annually