11/11/2025
The “11th of the 11th” marks the official start of the carnival season on November 11th. At precisely 11:11 a.m., the season begins with festivities and ceremonies, especially in the south of the Netherlands, where the number 11 is considered “the number of fools.”
Start of carnival season: On November 11th at 11:11 a.m., the carnival season officially begins in North Brabant and Limburg, among other places.
Symbolism: The date was chosen because of the number 11, which is traditionally associated with “madmen” and “fools.” Some theories also link it to the beginning of the dark period before Christmas (40 days before the shortest day of the year) and the feast day of St. Martin, which also happens to fall on November 11th.
Activities: At the start of the season, carnival associations, Prince Carnival, and the Councils of Eleven are installed. Many towns and villages organize openings with music and performances. Reference to St. Martin’s Day: The day coincides with St. Martin’s Day, a day traditionally associated with celebrating the harvest and preserving meat for Christmas. The eleventh of the eleventh is considered a kind of “shrove tuesday avant la lettre,” because it was the day after St. Martin’s Day that the perishable products of the slaughter month were eaten.
International context: November 11 is also an important date in other countries, such as Armistice Day in Belgium and France, which marks the end of World War I.
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