The major Belgian Festivities

Most festivities are once-a-year events or even once-every-two-years or once-every-three-years, and even once-every-ten-years events. So, especially for foreign tourists, it will be important to know beforehand when and where they take place. We will deliver that important information.

Belgian Festivities on Google Maps

As with many more categories, there are far more activities in Flanders than in Wallonia. One country, two different life styles.

All Festivities with their GPS-Coordinates

Most festivities take place in town or village centers, or even on prairies outside populated areas. Our GPS-Coordinates can only be an indication of where they take place. The week or the weekend of the festivities you will certainly not be allowed to drive with your car to these GPS-Coordinates. The last mile will have to be on foot. If available, public transport is advisable for any event.

Festivities in Belgium		WGS 84
				UTM	N	E
Number	Name, Place	Easting	Northing	Zone	Latitude	Longitude
1	Antillean Festivities, Hoogstraten	625731	5700159	31	51.438654	4.808993
2	International Photo Festival, Knokke-Heist	519418	5688006	31	51.343002	3.278790
3	International Cartoons Festival, Knokke-Heist	517888	5687222	31	51.336002	3.256784
4	Grass Pop Metal Meeting, Dessel	645973	5677970	31	51.234411	5.090941
5	Damme Books Village, Damme	519662	5677883	31	51.251968	3.281736
6	Cheese Market, Damme	519668	5677876	31	51.251905	3.281821
7	Night of the Proms, Antwerpen	600610	5676566	31	51.231593	4.441030
8	Nekka-Night, Antwerpen	600610	5676566	31	51.231593	4.441030
9	Theater at the Sea, Oostende	494240	5675644	31	51.232145	2.917501
10	Paulus Festivities, Oostende	494573	5675369	31	51.229675	2.922274
11	Cinema Novo Film Festival, Bruges	515442	5673268	31	51.210600	3.221069
12	Reie Festivity, Bruges	515795	5673111	31	51.209178	3.226116
13	Splendor Procession of the Golden Tree, Bruges	515673	5673082	31	51.208921	3.224368
14	Holy Blood Procession, Bruges	515675	5673073	31	51.208840	3.224396
15	Book Fair, Antwerpen	597764	5672064	31	51.191617	4.399053
16	Cactus Festival, Bruges	515757	5672048	31	51.199621	3.225525
17	Jazz Middelheim, Antwerpen	598086	5671037	31	51.182330	4.403379
18	Leffingeleuren, Leffinge	491431	5669344	31	51.175459	2.877419
19	Sfinks Festival, Boechout	603621	5669135	31	51.164256	4.481996
20	Balloon Meeting, Sint-Niklaas	579672	5668766	31	51.164776	4.139477
21	St. Godelieve Procession, Gistel	497698	5667233	31	51.156536	2.967083
22	Four days of the IJZER, Nieuwpoort	482389	5667089	31	51.154974	2.748182
23	Rhythm 'N' Blues Festival, Peer	673300	5666533	31	51.124019	5.476501
24	Shrimp's Festivities, Koksijde	477035	5664564	31	51.132079	2.671788
25	Historic Coaches Cortege, Maaseik	695469	5664072	31	51.094782	5.791588
26	European Ceramics Market, Maaseik	695480	5664059	31	51.094661	5.791738
27	Lokeren Festivities, Lokeren	569401	5662261	31	51.107628	3.991352
28	Castle Festivities, Westerlo	634134	5660945	31	51.084309	4.915116
29	Garden days, Beervelde	561488	5659393	31	51.082745	3.877846
30	Castle Festivities-Ka-Dans, Torhout	504134	5658612	31	51.079003	3.059015
31	Flander's Night, Torhout	507684	5658258	31	51.075783	3.109685
32	Penitential Procession, Veurne	476318	5657937	31	51.072459	2.661976
33	Ghent Festivities, Ghent	550851	5656411	31	51.056973	3.725580
34	International Film Festival, Ghent	551162	5654600	31	51.040662	3.729761
35	Open Air Spectacle, Berlare	568820	5654434	31	51.037325	3.981564
36	Dendermonde Festivities, Dendermonde	577065	5653888	31	51.031370	4.099023
37	Ros Beiaard Procession, Dendermonde	577071	5653882	31	51.031315	4.099107
38	Procession of the Giants, Dendermonde	577076	5653878	31	51.031278	4.099178
39	Pukkelpop, Hasselt	665229	5647930	31	50.959260	5.352786
40	Rock Werchter, Werchter	618361	5647816	31	50.969770	4.685740
41	Gin Festivities, Hasselt	664475	5644963	31	50.932817	5.340719
42	Carnival, Aalst	573149	5643396	31	50.937547	4.041075
43	Brosella, Brussels	595181	5638528	31	50.890568	4.353287
44	Beleuvenissen, Leuven	619661	5637812	31	50.879579	4.700963
45	Marktrock, Leuven	619542	5637622	31	50.877896	4.699210
46	Couleur Café, Brussels	594875	5635439	31	50.862847	4.348136
47	Alden Biesen Happening, Bilzen	677531	5635239	31	50.841586	5.521615
48	Summer of Poetry, Poperinge	473203	5634236	31	50.859194	2.619262
49	Klinkende Munt (hard cash), Brussels	595267	5634018	31	50.850008	4.353335
50	Marktrock, Poperinge	480710	5633808	31	50.855645	2.725944
51	Keikoppen Carnival, Poperinge	480712	5633808	31	50.855645	2.725972
52	Hop Cortege, Poperinge	480709	5633800	31	50.855573	2.725930
53	Last Post, Ypres	492331	5633387	31	50.852130	2.891054
54	Cats Cortege, Ypres	492053	5633343	31	50.851730	2.887105
55	Witch Cortege, Zonnebeke	501729	5632936	31	50.848122	3.024560
56	Blossom Festivities, Sint-Truiden	653978	5631585	31	50.815498	5.185819
57	Horse Procession, Tienen	639636	5628840	31	50.794463	4.981317
58	Cracknel Festivity, Geraardsbergen	562240	5624823	31	50.771826	3.882679
59	Folk Festival, Dranouter	484704	5623834	31	50.766071	2.783103
60	De Gordel (Girdle), around Brussels	594921	5622374	31	50.745381	4.345411
61	Les Francofolies de Spa, Spa	703299	5597284	31	50.492209	5.866309
62	St. Magdalena March, Charleroi	599830	5589163	31	50.445978	4.406045
63	Carnival, Binch	582808	5584889	31	50.410198	4.165415
64	St. Follianus March, Fosses-la-Ville	620570	5584099	31	50.396560	4.696403
65	St. Rochus March, Ham-sur-Heure-Nalinnes	598824	5575391	31	50.322327	4.388260
66	Redu Books Village, Redu-Libin	654785	5541653	31	50.007073	5.160184

More info on the Belgian Festivities

1 Antillean Festivities in Hoogstraten. Mid August. The biggest Caribean music festival in Europe with performances of the most popular groups from the large Antillean region.

2 International Photo Festival in Knokke-Heist. Every year from end of March till the end of May. A combination of Amateur photographs and work of professional Belgian and famous international professionals on several locations in town.

3 International Cartoons Festival in Knokke-Heist. From end of June - beginning of September, daily from 10 AM - 7 PM. One of the most important cartoons festival in the world. The jury selects 300 cartoons from over 3000 international entries.

4 Grass Pop Metal Meeting in Dessel. End of June. Festival with national and international heavy-metal groups. The night before there is the 'Campingfest', a mini festival for campers.

5 Damme Books Village in Damme. Every second Sunday of the month. A huge books market. During the Summer months in Open Air, during the Winter in the Town Hall.

6 Cheese Market in Damme. The first Sunday in October. During the cheese market one can freely taste from about 100 Belgian cheeses from 11 AM - 6 PM.

7 Night of the Proms in Antwerp. No fixed date. A music event, accompanied by the 'Il Novecento' orchestra, which aims to make classic music less élitist. Takes place in the Antwerp 'Sportpaleis'.

8 Nekka-Night in Antwerp. Every year in April. A Dutch Cabaret in the Antwerp 'Sportpaleis' with about 10 artists.

9 Theater at the Sea in Oostende. In July and August. All kinds of events on several locations in town: music, theater, fireworks, and "son et lumière".

10 Paulus Festivities in Oostende. One week in early August. A variety of music, dance, and theater at several locations in town.

11 Cinema Novo Film Festival in Bruges. In March. This 10 day film festival brings an overview of all films from Africa, Asia, and Latin-America that have been brought out in Belgium and Holland during the last year. Every year one particular country is focussed on.

12 Reie Festivity in Bruges. Every third year, end of August. Next in 2008. Over 600 participants portray many scenes from Bruges' history. From 9 PM - midnight.

13 Splendor Procession of the Golden Tree in Bruges. Every fourth year, end of August. Last time was in 2007. During two days over 90 groups play scenes that reconstruct the marriage of Karel de Stoute with Margaretha van York.

14 Holy Blood Procession in Bruges. Every year on Ascension Day. In the procession biblical scenes are depicted and the story of how the Holy Blood came to Bruges is explained.

15 Book Fair in Antwerp. Yearly end of October-beginning of November. In 4 halls Flemish publishers present their publications. Many authors come sign their books and there are lectures and literary activities.

16 Cactus Festival in Bruges. Second WE of July. A three-day music festival in Bruge's inner city at the Minnewater Park. Very different styles are always on the program: Rock, Pop, Funk, Roots, and Hip Pop, and world music.

17 Jazz Middelheim in Antwerp. Every second year, mid August. Five days Jazz in the Den Brandt park.

18 Leffingeleuren in Leffinge. The third WE of September. An international Arts- and music festival in a huge tent behind the church of Leffinge.

19 Sfinks Festival in Boechout. Last WE of July. Family friendly music festival with world music. Over 40 groups on 6 podia.

20 Balloon Meeting in Sint-Niklaas. The first WE in September. During three days tens of gas balloons, hot-air balloons and 'special shapes' take off from the Big Square in Sint-Niklaas. And there are many other activities.

21 St. Godelieve Procession in Gistel. Sunday after July 5 at 4 PM. Over 1000 actors play the life and martyr death of this Saint. The procession consists of successive groups that play and dance, and floats.

22 Four days of the IJZER in Nieuwpoort. Yearly the first full week after August 15, from Wednesday - Saturday. A big walking event that takes the participants along the historic places from WW I. You have the choice to walk every day 16 km (9.95 mi) or 32 km (19.9 mi). See also our page about war-cemeteries and memorials.

23 Rhythm 'N' Blues Festival in Peer. In July. Three day music festival with one night Belgian music and one WE American and British Blues music.

24 Shrimp's Festivities in Koksijde. Last WE of June. Opening on Saturday morning with a competition in 'shrimps fishing'. Also on Saturday there are appearances of folklorist groups. On Sunday morning one can visit the fish bakers from Oostduinkerke. In the afternoon there is street animation. At 3.30 PM the Shrimp Cortege starts. After the cortege there are music performances and dances.

25 Historic Coaches Cortege in Maaseik. On the second Sunday in June. On the square of Maaseik there is a cortege with many historic coaches.

26 European Ceramics Market in Maaseik. Last Sunday in June. Ceramics producers from several European Countries sell their products. It is the oldest ceramics market in Belgium and the biggest in the Benelux.

27 Lokeren Festivities in Lokeren. Yearly from the Friday before the first Sunday in August. During 10 nights 3 different music styles are brought, especially Rock and Blues, but also Flemish artists.

28 Castle Festivities in Westerlo. First WE of July. All kind of activities are organized in the park of the beautiful De Merode Castle. Lots of music groups and during this WE the castle can be visited too.

29 Garden days in Beervelde. Two times a year: the second WE of May and the second WE of October. Great exhibition of every thing garden from architecture, plants and garden furniture. Takes place on the domain of the castle of Beervelde.

30 Castle Festivities-Ka-Dans in Torhout. Second WE of August every second year, even years. International Folk music Festival on the domain of Wijnendale Castle.

31 Flander's Night in Torhout. A yearly 100 km (62 mi) walking and running contest between Torhout and the coast. Along the circuit many events are organized.

32 Penitential Procession in Veurne. Last Sunday of July. This Procession exists for over 350 years. The penitents impersonate the Way of the Cross and bear big crosses. The person of Christ bears a 40 kg heavy cross.

33 Ghent Festivities in Ghent. In the second half of July. A 10-day event with music of all styles: popular music on the Korenmarkt, Flemish artists on the St. Baafs Square, alternative programs on the St. Jacobs Market. Further more there is an opening cortege, much street animation, a puppet theater, and much more.

34 International Film Festival in Ghent. The second week in October. Besides projecting movies the film festival also organizes concerts with film music. Since 2001 the 'World Soundtrack Awards' are granted here.

35 Open Air Spectacle in Berlare. Every second year on odd years. From the end of August - beginning of September there are about 10 performances of operetta or musical ON the Donkmeer (Lake).

36 Dendermonde Festivities in Dendermonde. End of August. During the festivities there are a huge street fair and a kermis. At the same moment there are the Beguinage festivities. See also our page about beguinages

37 Ros Beiaard Procession in Dendermonde. Every tenth year. Next one in 2010. A great folklorist Cortege about the town's history. The Ros (horse) Beiaard and the Four Sons of Aymon, together with over 2000 actors and 15 floats through the streets of Dendermonde.

38 Procession of the Giants in Dendermonde. The last Thursday in August from 8 PM. Three giants accompanied by over 1000 costumed actors.

39 Pukkelpop in Hasselt. End of August. During 3 days (Thu, Fri, and Sat) tenths of groups, musicians and DJs, on 7 podia bring all kind of music genres.

40 Rock Werchter in Werchter. The first WE in July. Pop festival on a big prairie.

41 Gin Festivities in Hasselt. Third WE in October. In the Gin Museum, as well as on several squares in town there are all kinds of activities: corteges, music performances, tasting of the specialities from Hasselt, and a waiter's race.

42 Carnival in Aalst. The festivities are from Saturday till Tuesday midnight. The big Cortege takes place on Sunday afternoon. It is the most important Cortege in Flanders.

When is Carnival?

Carnival takes place during the weekend 7 weeks before Easter Sunday. Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the start of Spring.

43 Brosella in Brussels. Second WE in July from 3 PM - 11 PM. Two day music festival in the Park of Laken. One day with Folk music, the other day Jazz.

44 Beleuvenissen in Leuven. Four Friday evenings in July. Every Friday evening there is another music style on one of the squares in Leuven, varying from classic over Country to Blues.

45 Marktrock in Leuven. Every year mid August. A three day music festival with a big podium on the Old Market Square and several smaller podia on adjacent squares.

46 Couleur Café in Brussels. Last WE of June. The festival brings world music during thematic evenings. On the terrain there are stands with food and drinks, and accessories from the thematic region.

47 Alden Biesen Happening in Bilzen. Mid August. During this folklorist festival there is street theater on the domain of the Land commandery and about 100 artists and craftsmen give demonstrations. There are also performances of national and international music- and dance groups. A ticket also gives the right to visit the French Gardens and the permanent exhibition. See also our page about castles.

48 Poetry Summer in Poperinge. In July and August from Monday - Saturday from 2 PM - 7 PM. On Sundays from 11 AM - 7 PM. In Watou, a village of Poperinge poets and and plastic artists confront with each other in the small streets of the village.

49 Klinkende Munt (hard cash) in Brussels. Beginning of July. Festival with progressive music, spread over several evenings.

50 Marktrock in Poperinge. The last Sunday in August. A music festival on the Square in Poperinge.

51 Keikoppen Carnival in Poperinge. Yearly, halfway between Carnival and Easter. A Carnival Cortege, three or four weeks after Carnival. Strange, but hey, this is Belgium. In Wallonia there are even Carnival festivities after Easter.

52 Hop Cortege in Poperinge. Every third year on the third Sunday in September (2005, 2008,...). Cortege in the light of the hop cultivation. Poperinge is one of the last places in Belgium where hop is still cultivated.

53 Last Post in Ypres. Daily, all year at 8 PM. And this since July 24, 1927. A trumpet signal to honor the fallen British soldiers during WW I. See also our page about war-cemeteries and memorials.

54 Cats Cortege in Ypres. Second Sunday in May, every third year (2006, 2009,...). Over 1500 actors with many floats depict everything about cats.

55 Witch Cortege in Zonnebeke. Odd years, last Sunday of July. Cortege with giant witches through the streets of Beselare. Witches are present all year in this village.

56 Blossom Festivities in Sint-Truiden. The whole month of April. Lots of activities when the blossoms are open. Every Saturday and Sunday there are guided 'Blossom Tours'. The tours can be done on bikes, in a carriage, or in a coach.

57 Horse Procession in Tienen. Every year on Easter Monday. After the High Mass a couple of hundred horses and many pilgrims cross the fields with a statue of the Christ to the Tiense Berg (Mountain), just outside town.

58 Cracknel Festivity in Geraardsbergen. Yearly, eight days before the first Monday in March, so on a Sunday. Very remarkable folklorist ritual where prominent members of the local society drink a glass of wine in which living small fishes swim around.

59 Folk Festival in Dranouter. First WE in August. Four day festival, starting at Thursday evening. Over 60 international groups perform on 6 podia. Some podia are even outside the main festival prairie, but the performances can be followed on video screens.

60 De Gordel (Girdle) around Brussels. First Sunday in September. Tens of thousands of walkers, bikers, and mountain bikers fill the green circle around Brussels for a more or less long trip around the Capital.

61 Les Francofolies de Spa in Spa. Five days in July, however no fixed dates. This is the most important music festival in Wallonia.

62 St. Magdalena March in Charleroi. Sunday closest to July 22. The participants form numerous, different groups, all dressed in colorful military costumes and armed like in the past. In the hamlet of Thiméon all participants start dancing. A very special folklorist happening.

63 Carnival in Binch. See "42 Carnival in Aalst" for an explanation of when is Carnival. This is Wallonia's most important Carnival.

64 St. Follianus March in Fosses-la-Ville. Last Sunday in September, every seventh year (2005, 2012,...). One of the most beautiful military folklorist marches. Over 2500 "marcheurs" in uniforms and with attributes from the great Napoleonic Army, participate in this very colorful march.

65 St. Rochus March in Ham-sur-Heure-Nelinnes. Sunday after August 15. Military folklorist cortege where the "marcheurs" have costumes from the time of Napoleon. Very colorful and historically correct.

66 Redu Books Village in Redu-Libin. Redu is the Books Village of Wallonia. There are about 20 libraries and many craftsmen. You can find here also the Book and Print Museum. There is a book festival during Easter WE and a Night of the Book during the first WE in August.

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