Pink Monday (Roze Maandag in Dutch) remains the wild, joyous heart of the annual Tilburg Kermis, a ten day fun fair that takes over the centre of Tilburg in the southern Netherlands each July. For 2026 the fair runs from 17 July through 26 July and the third day of festivities, Monday 20 July 2026, is when everything turns pink and the city declares a day-long celebration of love, acceptance and diversity. More than three decades after a handful of friends decided to dress in pink as a playful response to the machismo of the fair, Roze Maandag has grown into one of the largest public events in the Netherlands with over three hundred thousand visitors. Travellers arrive by train, bus and bike from across the country and neighbouring Belgium and Germany. Many arrive on the specially chartered Pink Monday Express, a decorated train that pulls into Tilburg’s central station mid‑morning. After stepping off the train they are greeted by volunteers handing out rainbow flags and face paint before the procession known as the Pride Walk winds through the city streets. The Pride Walk in 2026 will once again start outside the station, where participants gather behind floats and drummers. The route moves along Spoorlaan past the giant fairground rides before turning into the Kermis grounds. It’s a home‑grown parade rather than a corporate procession and it’s all the more charming for it: local activists and drag queens mingle with marching bands, school groups, sports teams and families with strollers. People line the route waving flags from balconies and shop windows while DJs play pop anthems from makeshift stages. The parade culminates at the Piusplein – temporarily renamed Pink Square – where city officials, performers and drag artists host the official opening ceremony around 13:00. From there the party radiates outwards. Almost every bar and club in the centre of Tilburg has its own line‑up of DJs and performers. Outdoor stages like Jupiter Bierhal and Muzentuin host live bands, drag bingo, laser shows and camp karaoke. In 2026 organisers are promising to expand the Pride Walk route and increase the number of accessible viewing platforms and sign language interpreters so that everyone can be part of the fun. Pink Monday is much more than a parade. Throughout the fairgrounds the carnival rides and sideshows keep turning late into the night. With an entrance ticket to the fair you can ride anything from a Ferris wheel that towers above the city to a roller coaster that dives past neon‑lit food stalls. Operators happily fly rainbow flags and add pink lighting for the day. Visitors of all ages embrace the theme: some wear elaborate costumes glittering with sequins and feathers, while others simply put on a pink shirt or paint a small heart on their cheek. Food vendors serve everything from stroopwafels to cocktails; there is even a “pink beer” brewed specially for the day. In the Muzentuin a festival within the festival called Pink in the Garden showcases queer musicians and spoken word performers on an open‑air stage. When the sun sets, dance floors spring up at venues like De Spiegeltent and Poppodium 013, where internationally known DJs spin house and techno until dawn. Accessibility and inclusion remain central to Roze Maandag’s ethos. The city and fair organisers work closely with lgbtq+Q+ groups and accessibility advocates to ensure the event is welcoming to everyone. Public toilets are gender neutral, there are quiet spaces for visitors who need a break from the crowds and there is always a team of volunteers ready to provide information or assistance. Tilburg officials also take a strong stance against harassment and discrimination, and there are dedicated information points where incidents can be reported. In recent years the event has attracted more families, older visitors and people with disabilities because of these measures. It’s also become a platform for activism: non‑profits set up stalls along the route, local politicians march in the Pride Walk and there are debates and panel discussions in the run up to the festival about queer rights in the Netherlands and abroad. Beyond the pink explosion of Monday the ten day fair itself is worth exploring. Kermis Tilburg dates back to the seventeenth century and is now the largest fun fair in the Benelux region, with over 200 rides, carousels and games spread out along kilometres of streets. Each day has its own theme; 2026’s programme includes a children’s afternoon, singles night, food truck festival and a huge fireworks show on the final Sunday. When you need a break from the fair you can wander into the quiet streets of the Dwaalgebied, the “wander district” full of independent boutiques and cafés, or explore the TextielMuseum which tells the story of Tilburg’s industrial heritage. Trains run frequently from Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Eindhoven, but hotels in Tilburg sell out quickly during the fair so book well ahead. Packing comfortable shoes and a rain jacket is a must because Dutch summer weather can be unpredictable. The official Kermis Festival website (kermisfestival.nl) posts the full schedule, route map and tips for getting the most out of Pink Monday and the wider fair【20293221682575†screenshot】. Whether you stay for a single day or the entire festival, Roze Maandag 2026 promises an unforgettable blend of carnival thrills, queer celebration and community spirit in the heart of the Netherlands.

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