7x The best Carnival parties
You love it, or you hate it. But there's no way out! From 17 to 21 February, it's time for the best party of the year. We're talking about carnival, of course, a.k.a. Lampegat! Here are seven parties you don't want to miss. Put them on your calendar!
De Oude Rechtbank
At the Oude Rechtbank, the confetti guns are ready to pop. For five days straight, it will be one hell of a party! Not just one, not two, but three(!) rooms with the best party music. You'll be dancing all night long, that's for sure! Fancy some disco and house music? Stop by NOVUM in the Rechtzaal. Looking for those sexy guilty pleasures? No problem at Nasty & Nostalig! But the major kick-off will be on Friday the 17th during PLEQ's Carnival Kick-Off. For a penny, you'll be there!
Café Wilhelmina
Get ready for five days of carnival, confetti in your hair (or wig), and the longest polonaise in the South of the Netherlands. At Café Wilhelmina, it's going crazy no matter what! The party started on Saturday, 4 February, with the anniversary of the prinsenbal and groovy tunes by Klup Kroeg. Couldn't make it? Make sure to celebrate the carnival at Wilhelmina. Or, in front of the café, at The Wilhelminaplein, there will be plenty of fun all week long. Still not convinced? Sjors and Sjimmie will put you on the dancefloor at Salon op het Plein!
Lampegat Pride
During carnival only, the gigantic festival tent D'n Schuur will rise in front of the Paterskerk. On Monday, 20 February, it will turn completely pink! Yes, for the Lampegat Pride! Enjoy spectacular shows by diva Karin Bloemen, or show off your most fabulous dance moves! Since you're in the neighborhood - let's say, on Friday, 17 February - you can proudly sing along with tropical hits at Ameezing Carnaval Tropical!
Herrie met Gerrie Carnival Festival
The Beursgebouw will be the ultimate hotspot during the Herrie met Gerrie Carnival Festival on Saturday, 18 February. This year, they will pull out all the stops with the best house music, Co2 guns, and stunning decorations. That's how we like it! It promises to be a true Valhalla for carnival lovers.
Carnival with the Bolhoedjes
Gather all your friends! But only if they wear bowler hats. At the Effenaar, you can go "pulle vulle" - basically drinking beers non-stop - and party with your fellow bowler hats. Carnival association De Bolhoedjes (Dutch for bowler hats) are in the game for a while now. With 60 years of experience, they definitely know how to throw a party. Sing along to the Dutch hits of Wesley Klein or Frank van Weert. Don't know the lyrics? Just act like you do. Nobody will notice.
Stropdas Kroegentocht
Every year, Carnival Sunday is dedicated to the Stropdas Kroegentocht (also known as the Tie Pub Crawl) on Stratumseind. Managed to get a ticket? Lucky you! Because it is completely sold out. Keep your tie nice and safe! It's worth a fortune - uh, beers, we mean. Even without that fancy tie, you can enter all the cafes and drink a beer. We're not responsible for any hangovers.
Octoberfest at the Stadhuisplein
Party machen, jawolh! Put on your lederhosen and head to the Stiefel palace at the Bavaria Beer Hall on Monday, 20 February. Holding that 0.5L beer boot (the Stiefel), you can easily say you won't get thirsty! Try not to spill any beer with bustling acts like the Party Animals, Louis d'n Draaideur, and Immer Hansie. Jetzt geht's los!
Do you cringe at the thought of listening to loud Carnival music for five days? We got you! Check out our tips for the hottest alternative Carnival parties.
