Carnival is one of the largest events in Breda. We are proud that so many Kielegatters visit the city center to celebrate this festival together! Besides the fun, it is very important for us that all visitors can celebrate carnival safely. To effectively regulate the crowds, we implement various crowd control measures.
Some parts of the center are narrow: when large masses of people gather, it can lead to dangerous situations. Think of the Vismarktstraat or the Grote Markt. We implement crowd control for this: this means that we take measures such as lowering the music volume, closing streets, redirecting people to other party squares, or sharing current information via our WhatsApp channel(link is external) and (physically present) LED screens.
How does crowd control work?
The Safety Team monitors the crowds throughout the city center. This team consists of police, municipality, enforcement, and an event centralist. They do this by maintaining close contact with team members who are on-site in the city center, but also by constantly reviewing camera footage, input from entrepreneurs, and the so-called smart technology ‘crowdscan’. These tools give us clarity about the current crowd levels in the city.
Together, the parties ensure that all measures are aligned. For example: if we close the barriers in one square, this also means something for another location. Therefore, we sometimes implement measures simultaneously at multiple locations to keep everything running smoothly. Always in consultation with the organizers.
You are at a closed barrier, what now?
You are not the only one who loves to celebrate carnival in t Kielegat! It’s unfortunate that you are at a closed barrier due to the crowds, but know that we do this for your safety. Here’s what you should do at such a moment:
- Follow the instructions of the crowd managers, enforcers, or police at the barriers
- Keep an eye on the LED screens for the route
- Waiting at the barrier is pointless, seek a quieter place to continue the party
- Follow our WhatsApp channel(link is external) for current updates
Are people being let through? Then these are residents of the city center. We hope you understand the situation and seek a quieter location. The party locations (outdoors) in the city center are:
- Haven
- Havermarkt
- Grote Markt-Veemarktstraat
- Veemarktplein
- Kerkplein
- Kasteelplein
- Sint Janstraat
- Van Coothplein
The square doesn’t seem full, but is still closed off. How come?
Our Safety Team decides which measures are best to spread the public and reduce the crowds in a specific square. We anticipate as much as possible in advance, so we intervene before problems arise. You might notice that the music is temporarily lower or that you are being redirected to another location.
Does the square not seem full? It sometimes happens that in the middle of the square, the crowd becomes too large, leading us to close a barrier line further away.
Together for a safe carnival!
We appreciate your cooperation and hope for your understanding of the situation. Let’s make it a safe and especially fun celebration, Kielegatters! Check all information at breda.nl/carnaval.