International Carnival and Mask Museum, Carnival museum in Binche, Belgium
The International Carnival and Mask Museum in Binche holds more than 10,000 objects from carnivals and festivals around the world. The collection includes masks, costumes, musical instruments, puppets, and posters that show the diversity of celebration traditions globally.
The museum opened in 1975 within an 18th-century building that once served as an Augustinian college. Founder Samuel Glotz created this institution to preserve carnival traditions and their associated customs for future generations.
The permanent exhibition displays masks and disguises used in winter celebrations across Europe, indigenous ceremonies in North America, and traditional festivals from many cultures worldwide. You can see how different peoples mark their celebrations and what role masks play in their customs.
The museum is open Tuesday through Friday and provides wheelchair access for visitors with mobility needs. Plan to spend several hours exploring the extensive collection, and check current opening times before your visit.
The institution operates as an accredited non-governmental organization dedicated to protecting intangible cultural heritage linked to carnival customs. This role extends beyond typical museum work and makes it a center for documenting and advancing these living traditions internationally.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
