The City Parade

History
In 1905, a large historical procession passed through Maastricht, organised by writer Fons Olterdissen. With this parade, he brought the city's glorious past to life and managed not only to attract visitors from outside, but also to make Maastricht citizens themselves aware of their shared history once again. This tradition of imagining and connecting is the inspiration for today's City Parade.

The programme: ‘
’ On Sunday 13 September, Maastricht’s city centre will be transformed into one huge open-air stage.

During the City Parade, historical stories are brought to life in a contemporary way at thirteen locations across the city. Through theatre, music, dance, visual arts and much more, you’ll discover both well-known and forgotten chapters from Maastricht’s history.

Between 2.00 pm and 5.00 pm, you can stroll through the city at your own pace and choose your own route. At each location, you’ll experience a special performance that links a story from the past with the Maastricht of today.

At 5.00 pm, the city literally springs into action. Bèr the Mosasaurus, Maastricht’s oldest resident, gets the procession underway. Between 5.00 pm and around 7.30 pm, all the performances join in one by one to form a colourful parade that winds its way through the city and ends at the Markt.

That’s where the City Parade ends with a festive finale. From around 8.00 pm, the Markt becomes the setting for a spectacular closing act that brings the city together.

A festive parade
During this day, the city centre will turn into a living decor in which performances including dance, theatre, music, literature and visual arts will take place at various locations. Historical figures, events and eras are given a contemporary translation and relived in the heart of the city. At the end of the day, these acts get moving and together form a festive procession towards the Market Square.

For everyone
The City Parade invites everyone to watch, participate and re-experience Maastricht's history together. Various parties cooperate on each performance, making it a day where past and present meet and the city celebrates itself in a colourful and connecting parade.

Is your organisation celebrating an anniversary in 2026?
Will your association, foundation, institution, company or organisation have been in existence for exactly 10, 25, 50, 100 years or even longer in 2026? If so, we’d love to hear from you. As part of the Maastricht Year, we’d love to put the spotlight on Maastricht-based organisations celebrating a special anniversary.

During the City Parade on Sunday 13 September 2026, organisations celebrating an anniversary will be given a place of honour in the festive procession. Register your organisation and celebrate this special milestone together with the city.

You can sign up here