To achieve this, there will be one open event area during carnival.

Experiences from last year

Carnival 2025 was well attended and mostly went well, but there were also points of attention. In many places, young people under 18 were not allowed. Fences around the squares sometimes caused irritation among partygoers.

Agreements for carnival 2026

During Elf-Elf, young people under 18 were already welcome at most locations. Based on these experiences, discussions between hospitality, CST and the municipality, and research among over 400 parents and young people, the following agreements apply for carnival 2026:

  1. The city center is accessible for young and old.
  2. House rules have been drawn up together with hospitality and CST, and visitors are informed about them at the hospitality gates.
  3. The Parkring is closed from Friday 1:00 PM to Wednesday 9:00 AM, but the city center and most parking garages remain accessible to residents and visitors.
  4. Closed event locations are only used if necessary due to crowding.
  5. We organize a safe and inclusive carnival together: municipality, hospitality, and CST.

To put these agreements into practice, various measures apply in the city during carnival 2026. There is sufficient space for partygoers and attention to safety and accessibility.

Open area with hospitality gates

There will be one open event area with hospitality gates. Visitors receive information about house rules, alcohol, toilets, bicycle parking, and a safe space. Residents receive a pass so they can always access their homes.

Parkring closed, most parking garages open

The Parkring is closed from Friday 1:00 PM to Wednesday 9:00 AM. Residents, entrepreneurs, and emergency services can access the Parkring. Only the Emmapassage parking garage is closed.

Fences only in busy areas

Due to the closure of the Parkring, there is more space for events elsewhere without extra measures. Therefore, carnival 2026 is as much as possible without fences. Only in case of large crowds at the locations Stadhuisstraat, Korte Heuvel, and Piusplein are fences needed to close off locations and regulate visitor inflow.

Concerns

Entrepreneurs and residents are concerned about crowds and large groups of young people. Alcohol use among minors remains a point of attention. NIX18 teams and extra enforcement must ensure that young people do not drink alcohol.