The Carnaval – carnival – celebrations kicked off in the south of the Netherlands on Saturday despite the snow showers.

However, in Culemborg in Gelderland, the traditional carnival procession was cancelled because there was too much snow on the route.

Some 25,000 people attended the Boetegewoeëne Boetezitting in Venlo, which marks the start of Carnaval in Limburg, Nos television said.

Partygoers are being urged to dress up warm because of the frost at night.

The roots of Carnaval stem from the Catholic period preceding Lent, the ‘feast’ before the ‘fast’. The festivities – complete with lavishly decorated floats, oompah-oompah music and lots of beer – continue until Tuesday night.