For outsiders, the spring celebrations are most interesting. Dates vary as they are related to Easter, but the main events take places on Saturday to Tuesday.
- On Saturday the new prince takes over town, parading (usually at 13:11) from the central station to the market square, where the mock-transition of power takes place.
- Sunday sees the main parade, full of colourful carts, individual acts and thousands of spectators in costume. It leaves around 13:55 from Wijck and travellers towards the city centre. Princes (some city districts or clubs have their own, and some from neighbouring towns join the parade) throw candy on the crowds.
- Monday is family-day, with a children's parade pulling through the centre, towards the Vrijthof.
- The Zate hermenikesconcours on Tuesday has all the little bands roaming the streets, competing to impress a jury on the Vrijthof. Be warned that the music is only part of the competition, and it's a funny show rather than a concert. On Wednesday, the day after, cafés all over town serve raw herring or head cheese with rye bread to their guests.
Green, yellow and red are the official carnival colours and alaaf! is heard everywhere as a greeting. Dressing up is not obliged, but you don't want to be and outsider, pick up at least a few carnival gadgets (widely available in the days before).
- 1 Lumière, Bogaardenstraat 40b, ☏ +31 43 321 40 80. Art house cinema - tickets €8 unless you're eligible for a discount
- 2 Pathé Cinema, Sphinxcour 1, ☏ +31 43 820 0320. Multiplex
- 3 Theater on the Vrijthof, Vrijthof 47, ☏ +31 43 350 5555. For tickets to almost any cultural event.
- 4 MECC Maastricht, Forum 100, ☏ +31 43 38 38 383. Trade fairs and conferences (updated May 2017)
