Carnaval 2026 in Maastricht

Safety first

During carnaval, the municipality works closely with De Tempeleers, Koninklijke Horeca Nederland (KHN), the police, emergency services and local hospitality businesses to keep the city centre safe and accessible. Municipal enforcement officers and the police monitor compliance with rules and permits throughout carnaval.

From Friday to Tuesday, a Calamity Management Team (CMT) will be active at Theater aan het Vrijthof. This team monitors crowd levels and other safety risks. Additional safety patrols will also be carried out, with particular attention paid to distributing crowds evenly across the city centre.

Crowd levels

Some streets can become extremely busy during carnaval. This can pose safety risks at peak times. We monitor crowd levels using cameras and screens and intervene where necessary.

Glass ban in the city centre

A glass ban also applies in the city centre during carnaval. Please do not bring any glassware or glass bottles into the city centre. This helps prevent accidents and broken glass on the streets.

By respecting this rule together, we keep the streets clean and make sure everyone can enjoy Mestreechter Vastelaovend safely.

If you're under 18

People under the age of 18 are not allowed to buy, drink or carry alcohol in public spaces. If this leads to unsafe situations, enforcement action will be taken. We rely on the cooperation of hospitality businesses and revellers to ensure these rules are followed.

Fire-safe decorations

Carnaval decorations must be safe and must not pose a fire hazard. All decorations must comply with fire-safety regulations. Spot checks will be carried out.

Floats and carts

Street carnaval in Maastricht includes floats and carts brought into the city by groups of revellers. While these add to the atmosphere, they also take up considerable space in an already busy city centre and can sometimes generate excessive noise. For this reason, agreements are made with cart operators. For larger carts, we indicate where they may be stationed, helping to spread them out across the city. We also ask cart operators to ensure they are easily contactable during carnaval in case anything unexpected happens.

Streets where carts are not allowed

Some busy, narrow streets in the city centre are off-limits to carts, as they get too crowded. These streets are shown on the map below. Please leave large items such as carts, pull-along wagons and sound carts at home. This helps keep walkways clear and helps ensure everyone can enjoy the festivities.

Accessibility

Planning your visit during carnaval? On the Maastricht Bereikbaar website you’ll find practical information on parade times, road closures, taxi locations, shop opening hours, parking for bikes and cars, and shuttle bus stops.

Visit the Maastricht Bereikbaar website

Bars and cafés

Reusable cups

This year, reusable hard plastic cups are once again mandatory in Maastricht’s bars and cafés during carnaval. Each hospitality business provides its own cup, featuring an artistic design. The cup costs €1 and can be reused throughout the festivities. Finished celebrating? Return the cup to a bar or café, or take it home to reuse – or keep it as a souvenir of carnaval 2026.

Opening hours

Hospitality venues close at 03:00 from Saturday to Monday. On Tuesday, they close at 02:00. Outdoor bars close one hour earlier than indoor areas.

Noise

Music will be played at various locations in the city centre during carnaval. The municipality, hospitality businesses and emergency services agree in advance on permitted noise levels and time slots. This helps keep the atmosphere lively while preventing nuisance.

Permitted outdoor music times

• Friday: 16:00 – 01:00
• Saturday: 16:00 – 01:00
• Sunday: 12:00 – 02:00
• Monday: 12:00 – 02:00
• Tuesday: 12:00 – 24:00

Toilets

During carnaval, extra public toilets will be in place at the Vrijthof, the Markt and Onze Lieve Vrouweplein. These are large, well-maintained facilities that are cleaned throughout the day. They are well lit and supervised, so visitors can use them safely and comfortably. Each site also has a wheelchair-accessible toilet.

Access costs €1 per visit, or €5 for a day wristband. Payment is possible by card or cash.

Toilets in bars and cafés will also be open. Free facilities such as portable toilets will be available at various locations in the city.

View the map in a larger format

First aid

From Sunday to Tuesday, medical assistance (EHBO) will be available at De Hoofdwacht on Vrijthof. The building is recognisable by its rounded arches. You can go here for first aid and other medical incidents.

In life-threatening situations, always call 112.

Municipality closed

On 13 February 2026, the Municipal Service Desk (GemeenteLoket) will close at 15:00. The municipality will also be closed on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 February 2026.

Waste during carnaval

Household waste

During carnaval, no household waste will be collected anywhere in Maastricht on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 February. Please check the MilieuApp or your waste collection calendar to see when your waste will be collected instead. The recycling centres will also be closed on both days.

Business waste

Hospitality businesses may sweep loose waste from inside their premises onto the street between 03:30 and 05:30 during carnaval. This includes items such as cups, napkins, confetti, straws and other small litter. Sweep waste towards the centre of the street. Place waste bags and boxes against the façade so street-cleaning vehicles can pass freely.

A clean city

From Saturday to Wednesday, the Municipality of Maastricht will clean the city each morning from around 06:00.

Report an issue

Want to report something? Visit the page Report an issue to see how to do so.

Policy rules

You can also read the policy rules for carnaval in Maastricht on overheid.nl.