New Rules on Group Size and Safety Introduced for Aalst Carnival

Aalst (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Aalst’s carnival has new rules on group sizes, float lengths, speed limits, and penalties. Alderman Matthias De Ridder says the changes will improve safety, fairness, and parade organisation.

As VRT News reported, the city of Aalst is introducing new rules for its annual carnival parade after the 2025 edition went on very late. The last group reached the Grote Markt at 11:30 PM, a record time. The delay caused problems for city staff who had to take down stands and clean during the night. 

Visitors and participants also had less time to enjoy the celebrations. Alderman Matthias De Ridder (N-VA) said this was not the goal of the parade. To fix the problem, the city has set limits on the number of participants in each group. 

Large groups can have up to 80 members, medium groups up to 50, and small groups up to 35. Supervisors and float riders are not included in the participant count. The rules also prevent small groups from joining as bigger groups to win more prize money.

“This year, there was a group that took up just 800 meters of the 7-kilometre-long course.”

Councillor Matthias de Ridder (N-VA)

What new rules is Aalst Carnival introducing to ensure safety and fairness?

The city is also limiting the length of carnival floats. Floats cannot be longer than the allowed size. By controlling float size and group numbers, the city hopes the parade will finish earlier, and cleanup will be easier. Officials say the new rules will make the parade fairer for all groups. They also aim to keep the event exciting while making it easier to manage.

Councillor Matthias de Ridder (N-VA) said,

“For large groups, it’s 60 meters, for medium-sized groups 45 meters, and for small groups 30 meters. We’ll measure that for the procession as well. Last year, there was a group that took up a total of 800 meters of the 7-kilometre route.”

According to officials, in the past, this was unclear. Groups often did not know the consequences. Carnival groups that finish last or second-to-last may now have to give up their spot in future parades. This creates room for new or more active groups. 

All vehicles and moving parts on floats must have regular maintenance. The maximum speed for vehicles is 10 km/h. The maximum sound level has been lowered. Drivers may face alcohol tests during the parade to keep everyone safe.

“That sounds harsh, but it opens the door for new talent who have been waiting for years for a place. This way, we stimulate innovation and creativity,”

Says the alderman.

The Aalst carnival is one of Belgium’s oldest and most famous festivals. It started in the 19th century as a small community event. Over the years, it grew into a large parade with colourful floats, costumes, and satirical performances. The carnival is known for its humour and social commentary. Thousands of visitors come each year to watch the parade and join the celebrations. The event has faced challenges with safety and managing crowds, but