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One of the most eagerly awaited folklore events of the year! A large colourful carnival, and four days of festivities, in Nivelles in February 2014!

This is the largest carnival in not only Waloon Brabant, but most of the neighbouring provinces too!

Nearly 700 Gilles, peasants, Harlequins, Pierrots and many others parade through the streets.

Accompanied by lively music, their clogs hammer the cobbled streets as they hand out oranges to the crowds of onlookers.

Sunday's parade (of which almost all the floats and carnival societies participating will be appearing in Nivelles for the first time) will guarantee the fun and friendly, party atmosphere and delight young and not-so-young alike!

Carnival schedule

Saturday 16/02 - Children's carnival:

Starts at 2:30pm from the train station. Participating in the parade will be:

• the T'Chapelles (La Viole),
• the Corps Musical Nivellois,
• the Ecole de Tambours,
• the Char du Cirque (Bam Bam ASBL),
• clowns
• and children in costume.

4pm: Show for children aged 3 to 12 years old, by the "Vagabond et Compagnie" clown troupe. The children with the best costumes will be crowned Carnival Prince and Princess.

Sunday 17/02 - carnival parade:

2pm: departure from the train station of the folkloric societies and the carnival giants, accompanied by the menagerie and followed by the Gilles societies parade around 3pm.

There will, of course, be confetti and oranges galore.

Around 6pm: the first four societies' rondeau.

Around 6:40pm: the five last societies' rondeau.

Monday 18/02: Schools' carnival and Aclot carnival:

From 2pm to 4pm: Schools' carnival at place E. Delalieux including a large Gilles rondeau and distribution of oranges.

7pm: The Aclot carnival assembles at place E. Delalieux and then departs around 7:45pm.

9pm: The Gilles, peasants and Harlequins societies are greeted by a pyrotechnics show.

9:15pm: Rondeau on the Grand-Place and burning of the Gilles' bumps.

Tuesday 19/02 afternoon:

The Raclot (last day of the carnival) of the numerous Nivelles societies from 2pm onwards!

8pm: fireworks display to round off celebrations!

Tourist information on the town NIVELLES