Roosendaal (NL) - Nostalgische Kermis

Set against the historic backdrop of Roosendaal town centre, a vibrant work of art unfolds every year at Easter, transporting visitors on an atmospheric journey back in time to the golden age of funfairs. The Nostalgic Fair in Roosendaal is regarded as one of the most magnificent of its kind in the whole of the Netherlands and transforms squares such as the Markt, the Tongerloplein and the Bloemenmarkt into a nostalgic wonderland, where the hustle and bustle of the modern world fades completely into the background for a few days.

At the heart of this event are around 40 historic attractions, restored with great attention to detail and some dating back as far as the 19th century. When the magnificent horse carousel from 1830 begins to turn under the warm glow of thousands of tiny bulbs and the hand-painted organs strike up their mechanical melodies, a magic is created that captivates young and old alike. Particularly popular is the classic caterpillar ride, where the famous canopy closes during the ride, or the Ferris wheel from 1937, which offers guests a gentle view over the city’s rooftops, far removed from the adrenaline-fuelled high-tech rides of today.

However, the special quality of the Roosendaal Kermis lies not only in the rides, but in the curated supporting programme that celebrates the fairground culture of days gone by. Throughout the Easter weekend, barrel organ players, nostalgic entertainers and clowns such as the popular Desalles bring the streets to life. In the Old Town Hall, visitors can also often immerse themselves in the world of the miniature fair, where the showmen’s attention to detail is continued on a small scale.

The experience is rounded off by the culinary delights that are inextricably linked to a folk festival. The aroma of freshly baked poffertjes, hand-pulled nougat and roasted almonds mingles with the smell of machine oil and candyfloss. Another key aspect of the nostalgic concept is its social accessibility: Thanks to family-friendly fixed prices, the Kermis remains a genuine folk festival for everyone, fostering a sense of community and keeping alive the tradition of celebrating together in the market square.

Travel information:

By public transport:

- by train – Roosendaal station (distance 1.3 km)

- by bus – Laan van Limburg bus stop

By car:

- Venue: City centre

Parking facilities:

- Nieuwe Markt car park (Nieuwe Markt 81)

- Biggelaar car park (Biggelaar 29)

- Roselaar car park (Laan van Brabant 13)

- Emile van Loonpark car park (Vughtstraat 9)