Valkenswaard (NL) - Carnavalskermis

The Kermis Carnaval in Valkenswaard is an extraordinary cultural event that uniquely combines traditional Dutch fairground culture with the ecstatic joie de vivre of carnival. While the town changes its name to “Striepersgat” during carnival season, the town centre around the market square is transformed into a vibrant epicentre of entertainment. This fair is not just a collection of rides, but an integral part of ‘Vastenavond’, when the boundaries between folk festival and street carnival blur and the entire community is immersed in a colourful chaos of music, costumes and pure energy.

The atmosphere in the streets of Valkenswaard is electric during this time. The smell of freshly baked oliebollen and poffertjes mingles with the rhythmic sounds of the ‘Dweilorkesten’ (carnival bands) that parade through the alleys and encourage visitors to dance. Unlike summer fairs, Kermis Carnaval has a character all its own, almost intimate, as the action often takes place between the carousels in the square and the cosy cafés and pubs filled to bursting. Visitors stroll from one attraction to the next in their imaginative costumes, giving the entire area the appearance of a lively, surreal theatre stage.

The range of rides on offer is carefully tailored to a broad audience, offering a mix of modern thrills and nostalgic cosiness. While fast-spinning attractions whirl the bravest visitors into the often still cool spring sky, classic bumper cars and family carousels ensure that even the youngest revellers get their money's worth. The scene is particularly impressive in the evening, when the colourful illuminations of the rides bathe the costumed crowds in dazzling light and make the facades of the surrounding historic buildings shine in the colours of the carnival.

In terms of cuisine, the Kermis Carnaval offers everything that characterises Dutch festive cuisine. In addition to the obligatory sweet treats, hearty snacks such as chips with various sauces and typical Dutch meat croquettes are also very popular. An essential element of conviviality is toasting together in the numerous temporary pubs and festival tents, where the community is celebrated with loud carnival music and local hospitality. This is where the ‘gezelligheid’ for which the Dutch province of North Brabant is so famous is displayed in its purest form.

In terms of numbers, the Kermis Carnaval is more compact than the country's huge summer fairs, but with around 30 to 40 attractions and stalls, it offers a remarkable density in a small space. During the carnival days, it attracts tens of thousands of visitors from the region and nearby Belgium, making the festival one of the most important social events in the regional calendar. The combination of Valkenswaard's centuries-old carnival tradition and the dynamic fun of a funfair makes this event an experience that perfectly reflects the cultural identity of the region.

Travel information:

By public transport:

- By train: no station available, travel via Eindhoven

- By bus: Markt stop (lines 276, 317, 318)

By car:

- Venue: Markt

Parking:

- Parking Kloosterplein (Molenstraat 1)