Belgium celebrates a mix of national, regional, and cultural holidays throughout the year. Here are some of the most significant holidays and festivals in Belgium:
New Year's Day (Nieuwjaar) - January 1st: Belgians celebrate the start of the new year with parties, fireworks, and family gatherings.
Epiphany (Driekoningen) - January 6th: Also known as Three Kings' Day, it celebrates the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus. Children dress up as kings and go door-to-door to collect sweets.
Easter (Pasen) - Date varies: Easter is celebrated with church services and family gatherings. Easter Monday is a public holiday marked by various events and activities.
Labour Day (Dag van de Arbeid) - May 1st: A day to celebrate workers' rights, often marked by parades and demonstrations.
Ascension Day (Onze-Lieve-Heer-Hemelvaart) - Date varies (40 days after Easter): A Christian holiday commemorating Jesus' ascension into heaven. Many people enjoy outdoor activities and festivals.
Whit Monday (Pinkstermaandag) - Date varies (the day after Pentecost): A public holiday for leisure and outdoor activities.
Belgian National Day (Nationale Feestdag) - July 21st: Celebrates the anniversary of the Belgian monarchy and the swearing-in of the first Belgian king in 1831. Festivities include parades and fireworks.
Assumption of Mary (Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Hemelvaart) - August 15th: A public holiday celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven.
All Saints' Day (Allerheiligen) - November 1st: A day to remember and honor the deceased, often involving visits to cemeteries.
Armistice Day (Wapenstilstand) - November 11th: Commemorates the end of World War I. Two minutes of silence are observed at 11:00 AM.
Christmas (Kerstmis) - December 25th: Christmas is celebrated with family gatherings, festive meals, and gift-giving.
Belgium also has several regional festivals and events specific to different communities and linguistic regions, including Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels.
These can include local parades, processions, and cultural celebrations.
