Carnival Celebrations Disrupted by Heavy Snowfall in Limburg and Zeeuws-Vlaanderen
Severe winter weather, including heavy snowfall, forced the evacuation of several carnival tents in the southern Dutch province of Limburg on Sunday evening, February 15, 2026. The adverse conditions also led to the suspension of a carnival parade in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, leaving floats stranded overnight.
Carnival Tents Evacuated in Limburg
Firefighters were called to multiple locations across South Limburg to assess and, in some cases, evacuate party tents as snow accumulated on the roofs. In Heerlen, the tent on Pancratiusplein became unstable due to the weight of the snow, prompting an evacuation around 8:00 PM. Shortly after, at approximately 10:00 PM, the tent’s tarpaulin collapsed, though no injuries were reported.
Similarly, in Kerkrade, the tent on the Markt was evacuated around 8:00 PM and secured with tape. Carnival tents in Kerkrade-West and Eygelshoven were also cleared, according to NOS News.
In Sittard, firefighters used an aerial platform to remove snow from the roof of a carnival stage to prevent a collapse. Despite the challenging weather, many carnival revelers opted to head home early, L1 News reported.
Carnival Parade Suspended in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen
The carnival parade in Hulst, Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, was halted on Sunday afternoon due to the snowy conditions. According to Rob Lambert of the De Neuters float building association, the lead float became stuck in the snow, bringing the parade to a standstill. Twelve large floats remain stranded in the city center overnight. Attempts to move the floats to the edge of the city center were unsuccessful, resulting in a partial closure of the area, NOS News stated.
Official Response
Burgemeester Roel Wever of Heerlen visited the evacuated tent on Pancratiusplein, as he is responsible for public order and safety. Residents expressed understanding for the closure, noting the appropriate response from the authorities, L1 News reported.
Journalist Sjoerd Van Heugten of L1 News reported on the situation in Kerkrade. LinkedIn profile.