The Malines Carnival Parade is getting underway!
Mechelen March 30, 2025: Alaaf! What a day, what an atmosphere! The Mechelen Carnival Parade passed through the city for the fiftieth time and, of course, we were in the front row to witness it all. And yes, it was again a colorful mix of music, colorful costumes and – how could it be otherwise – gallons of fun! Thanks to the organizer City Carnival Guild “The Maneblussers”.
@Verschueren Eddy
carnival #parade #mechelen #2025
Off to a start with a touch of Nostalgia
Exactly at 2:11 p.m. (yes, that 11 is sacred to carnivalists!), 23 groups, preceded by the Malinois Harmonie (KV Mechelen), left the Veemarkt for a festive tour of the city center. Yet something was missing … or rather, someone. Our beloved Bellemadam Myriam was forced to miss out this year as town crier due to health reasons. We hope she will be back next year, because carnival without her is just not the same!
@Verschueren Eddy
Why 50 years is not a big celebration?
You would think: 50 years of carnival, that deserves a mega big party, right? But no, in the carnival world everything revolves around the magic number 11. It is the number of fools and therefore much more important than half a century. But not to worry, Mechelen celebrated anyway with a five-day carnival fair on the Botermarkt. Because admit it, who can resist a ride on the windmill or a serving of smoutebollen?
The Parade: Candy, Dance and Parades
Already an hour before the parade started, Malinois and visitors had strategically lined up along the trail. Smart, because then you could score the best loot! And what a feast it was for the children: candy, gadgets and toys flew around their ears. Beaming faces and exuberant dancing, that’s what carnival is all about, isn’t it? Read more below the pictures
@Verschueren Eddy
@Verschueren Eddy
@Verschueren Eddy
Groups from all corners of the country came to Mechelen to participate. From ‘t Bakske from Mortsel to the Zotte Bende from Haacht, they all gave the best of themselves. And then of course there were our prominent figures such as the city prince and extraordinary city prince, who were driven around in a covered wagon with a wheelchair elevator. Inclusiveness at its finest!
@Verschueren Eddy
A touch of Chaos is part of it!
No carnival without a little chaos, right? Especially at the Pentagon, things got exciting for a while. Those big, impressive floats? Those had to make their way past bicycle staples and traffic poles, and that caused a lot of sweat on the foreheads of the drivers. But hey, without a little excitement, it would just be boring too!
Closing with a bang!
After a great ride, the procession ended festively in front of City Hall, where the carnivalists loosened their legs one last time. And as icing on the cake? A balloon toss on the Grote Markt! But the party is not over yet, because until Wednesday, April 2, you can still enjoy the fun fair on the Butter Market. Come fish ducks, throw balls or just enjoy the atmosphere.
Carnival is alive … or is it?
Yet there is a downside to all this revelry. The number of carnival associations is dwindling, and the youth seems to have less interest in the craziest party of the year. Of the ten associations at the turn of the century, three remain. These were De Knullen, De Batteleers and De Prinsenkamer, an association of former princes and princesses. From the Neighborhood Circles came the carnival associations De Neuskapel, Hanswijk de Bercht, De Mickeys, De Kriekeplukkers, De Snoekies and De Promillekes. The only association still active in 2025 is Carnival Guild De Maneblussers.
@Verschueren Eddy
Fancy the video ?
Fancy a video with an overview of the Carnival procession ? Well this one is coming soon. Don’t miss it and subscribe to my video channel today. It’s FREE. After subscribing, don’t forget to press the “clock” button, that way you will receive a notification as soon as the video is published. Do it anyway!
Hopefully they can keep this tradition alive in the Dijle river city after all, because admit it: what would Mechelen be without carnival? As far as we are concerned: next year again, and hopefully with even more craziness! Alaaf and until next time!