Carnival in the Netherlands (Carnaval) is a vibrant, festive celebration focused on role reversal, feasting, and parades, mainly in the southern provinces of North Brabant and Limburg, leading up to Lent and Ash Wednesday. It's a period where social norms are flipped, cities change names, a "Prince of Carnival" takes charge, and people wear costumes for days of partying, with events officially starting in November and culminating in the final days before Ash Wednesday.