Important events and festivals in Belgium 2025

Posted on by Frederic Paulussen

Booking a city trip can involve a lot of questions and research. I prefer not to over-research my visits, but there’s always some interesting information, like the important events happening.

Last year, I went to Rome with a friend for three days in the magnificent capital of Italy. When we arrived, we discovered that on our last day, it was a National Holiday: the Festa della Repubblica.

Our plan to visit the Colosseum for free on the first Sunday of the month went out the window. But ofcourse, we got to see the military parade. You win some, and you lose some.

But this, ofcourse, got me thinking: It would be nice to have an overview of holidays, events and festivities to keep in mind when going to a place. And for that reason, I’m making this one of my home country.

You can use this article to avoid those holidays and special events or to visit precisely when they happen so you can be part of them.

A little disclaimer: I did my best to find as many events as possible that impact the inner cities. If I missed anything, feel free to let me know!

Table of contents

Holidays in Belgium 2025

Holidays in Belgium usually mean businesses are closed or operate on reduced hours. Museums and other cultural places are often open, but with changed opening hours.

These are the official holidays of Belgium in 2025. Businesses are often closed on those days:

  • January 1st, 2025: New Year’s Day
  • April 21st, 2025: Easter Monday
  • May 1st, 2025: Labor Day
  • May 29th, 2025: Ascension
  • June 9th, 2025: Whit Monday
  • July 21st, 2025: National Holiday (with parades in Brussels)
  • August 15th, 2025: Assumption Day
  • November 1st, 2025: All Saints
  • November 11th, 2025: Armistice Day
  • December 25th, 2025: Christmas

Koopzondag or Sunday Shopping in Belgium 2025

In Belgium, we have separation of State and Church, but many Christian traditions and values remain in our daily lives. For example, there are several limitations to working on a Sunday. As that, ofcourse, is traditionally a day of rest.

In recent years, though, Belgium has introduced the concept of Koopzondag, or Sunday Shopping. On one Sunday a month, shops can be open, mainly in city centers.

For almost all cities, it’s the first Sunday of every month. The Koopzondagen of 2025 are:

  • January 5th
  • Februari 2nd
  • March 2nd
  • April 6th
  • May 4th
  • June 1st
  • July 6th
  • August 3th
  • September 7th
  • October 5th
  • November 2nd
  • Every Sunday in December

Important events and festivals in Belgium 2025 per city

With the national holidays and events out of the way, let’s focus on the individual cities of Belgium. I’m not going into the very nitty-gritty of towns and events. I’ll focus on the cities with more significant events that impact daily life or your visit to the town.

I’ll go through the cities alphabetically so as not to judge which city is better or more prevalent (the fact that it puts my hometown of Antwerp first is purely a coincidence).

Important events and festivals in Antwerp 2025

Type of eventEvent nameDate for 2025Website
CarnivalPaaskermis (end on 21/4)5 April 2025
Running ContestBaloise Antwerp 10 Miles27 April 2025https://baloiseantwerp10miles.be/en/
CarnivalStart Sinksenfoor (end on 13/07)7 June 2025
Beer festivalBierpassieweekend (three days)20 June 2025https://www.bierpassieweekend.be/
Music FestivalUnicorn Festival (3 days)20 June 2025https://www.unicornfestival.be/
CarnivalZomerkermis (end on 31/8)28 June 2025
ParadeAntwerp Pride9 August 2025https://www.antwerppride.com/
Running ContestAntwerp Marathon19 October 2025https://antwerpmarathon.com/en/
Beer festivalBillies Craft Beer Fest (2 days)7 November 2025https://www.billiescraftbeerfest.com/
Christmas MarketStart Antwerp Christmas Market5 December 2025https://visit.antwerpen.be/en/winter-in-antwerp-2024
CarnivalWinterkermis (end on 4/015 December 2025

Important events and festivals in Bruges 2025

Type of eventEvent nameDate for 2025Website
Cycling ContestRonde van Vlaanderen6 April 2025https://www.rondevanvlaanderen.be/nl
CarnivalStart Meifoor (end on 1/6)9 May 2025https://www.visitbruges.be/en/whats-on/events-calendar/meifoor-2025
ParadeProcession of the Holy Blood29 May 2025https://www.visitbruges.be/en/whats-on/events-calendar/procession-holy-blood-2025
Sport EventUrban Swim Brugge14 June 2025https://www.visitbruges.be/en/whats-on/events-calendar/urban-swim-brugge-2025
Music FestivalCactus festival (3 days)11 July 2025https://www.cactusfestival.be/
Music FestivalWECANDANCE (3 days)15 August 2025https://wecandance.be/
Beer festivalBruges Beer Festival 2025 (Two days)13 September 2025https://www.brugsbierfestival.be/en/

Important events and festivals in Brussels 2025

Type of eventEvent nameDate for 2025Website
Light FestivalBright Brussels (4 days)13 February 2025https://www.visit.brussels/en/visitors/agenda/bright-festival
ParadeBelgian Pride17 May 2025https://www.visit.brussels/en/visitors/agenda/event-detail.Brussels-Pride.5700004135
Music FestivalBrussels Jazz Weekend (3 days)24 May 2025https://www.lottobrusselsjazzweekend.be/
Cultural EventThe Brussels Street Photography Festival (4 days)29 May 2025https://www.bspfestival.org/news
Music FestivalCouleur Café (3 days)27 June 2025https://www.couleurcafe.be/en/
Music FestivalParadise City (3 days)27 June 2025https://paradisecity.be/
ParadeOmmegang Pageant2 July 2025https://www.ommegang.be/the-ommegang-pageant/?lang=en
ParadeOmmegang Pageant4 July 2025https://www.ommegang.be/the-ommegang-pageant/?lang=en
CarnivalStart Zuidfoor (end on 24/8)19 July 2025https://www.foiredumidi.brussels/nl/home/
Beer festivalBelgian Beer Weekend (3 days)5 September 2025https://www.belgianbeerweekend.be/
Running ContestBrussels Marathon2 November 2025https://www.brussels.be/brussels-marathon
Christmas MarketBrussels Winter Wonders 202528 November 2025https://www.plaisirsdhiver.be/en
Cultural EventFlower CarpetWill be in 2026https://www.flowercarpet.be/nl
Beer festivalBXL beerfest (2 days)https://www.bxlbeerfest.com/?language=nl

Important events and festivals in Charleroi 2025

Type of eventEvent nameDate for 2025Website
CarnivalStart Foire de Pâques (end on 12/519 April 2025https://www.charleroi.be/agenda/foire-de-paques-3
Sport EventCharleroi Maraton29 June 2025https://www.charleroimarathon.be/
Christmas MarketCharleroi Christmas Markethttps://visitwallonia.com/en-gb/content/charleroi-christmas-market-and-ice-rink
CarnivalFoire foraine de Charleroihttps://visitwallonia.be/fr-be/content/festivite-charleroi-la-foire-foraine-daout

Important events and festivals in Ghent 2025

Type of eventEvent nameDate for 2025Website
Comic ConFacts (2 days)5 April 2025https://www.facts.be/en/
Cultural EventHeritage Day27 April 2025https://visit.gent.be/en/calendar/heritage-day
Cultural EventGentse Feesten (end on 27/7)18 July 2025https://visit.gent.be/en/calendar/ghent-festivities
Cultural EventPatershol Feesten (3 days)15 August 2025https://visit.gent.be/en/calendar/patershol-festivities
Cultural EventStart Film Fest Gent (end on 19/10)8 October 2025https://www.filmfestival.be/nl
Cultural EventMuseum night Ghent4 December 2025https://visit.gent.be/en/calendar/museum-night-ghent
Cultural EventGhent Light Festivalhttps://visit.gent.be/en/calendar/ghent-light-festival
Cultural EventProcession of Emperor Charles and the noose bearershttps://visit.gent.be/en/calendar/procession-emperor-charles-and-noose-bearers

Important events and festivals in Hasselt 2025

Type of eventEvent nameDate for 2025Website
Cultural EventKersenbloesemfestival (end on 13/4)8/3https://www.visithasselt.be/nl/japanse-tuin/kersenbloesemfestival-hanami
Cultural EventPaardenjaarmarkt22/3https://paardenmarktkuringen.be/
CarnivalHasselt Carnava (for 2 days)29/3https://hasseltcarnaval.com/
ParadeMeiavondviering30/4https://immaterieelerfgoed-be.
Music FestivalLive in Hasselt31/5https://www.liveinhasselt.be/
Music FestivalPukkelpop (4 days)14 August 2025https://www.pukkelpop.be/nl/
CarnivalHasselt Kermis (end on 28/09)20/9https://www.hasselt.be/nl/kermis
Cultural EventChrysantenfestival (end on 26/10)18/10https://www.visithasselt.be/nl/japanse-tuin/chrysanten-festival-kikumatsuri
Cultural EventDe Hasseltse Jeneverfeesten (2 days)19/10https://www.visithasselt.be/nl/jeneverfeesten
Christmas MarketWinterland (end on 4/01)14/11https://www.winterland.be/nl

Important events and festivals in Kortrijk 2025

Type of eventEvent nameDate for 2025Website
CarnivalStart Paasfoor (end on 4/5)17 April 2025https://www.kortrijk.
Music FestivalMayday Mayday1 May 2025https://maydaymayday.be/
CarnivalStart Sinksenfoor (end on 9/66 June 2025https://www.sinksen.be/
Music FestivalAlcatraz Metal Festival (4 days)7 August 2025https://www.alcatraz.be/en/
Music FestivalKamping Kitsh Club23 August 2025https://www.kampingkitschclub.be/fack
Music FestivalStudent Welcomehttps://swkortrijk.be/

Important events and festivals in Leuven 2025

Type of eventEvent nameDate for 2025Website
Sport EventEuropean Running Championships 202512 April 2025https://leuven.be/ek-running
ParadeEaster Parade19 April 2025https://leuven.be/paasfeesten
ParadeGiant Parade24 May 2025https://leuven.be/reuzeleuven
Shopping DayLeuven by Night28 May 2025https://www.visitleuven.be/leuven-night
Cultural EventDe Langste Dag (two days)21 June 2025https://www.visitleuven.be/de-langste-dag
Music FestivalRock Werchter (4 days)3 July 2025https://www.rockwerchter.be/nl/
Music FestivalPark Festival6 July 2025https://leuven.be/park
Christmas Markethttps://leuvensekerstmarkt.com/

Important events and festivals in Liege 2025

Type of eventEvent nameDate for 2025Website
Beer festivalBeer Lovers’ Marathon (2 days)17 May 2025https://beerloversmarathon.be/
Music FestivalLes Ardentes (4 days)3 July 2025https://lesardentes.be/?lng=en
CarnivalFoir D’Octobre (7 days)5 October 2025https://www.foiredeliegeofficiel.be/
Cultural EventThe Gaulish Villagehttps://www.liege.be/en/discover/tourism/discover-liege/events/the-gaulish-village
Christmas MarketVillage de Noelhttps://www.villagedenoel.be/

Important events and festivals in Mons 2025

Type of eventEvent nameDate for 2025Website
Cultural EventCavalcade de Quaregnon (4 days)18 April 2025https://www.visitmons.be/en/events/cavalcade-de-quaregnon-213012
ParadeThe Cavalcade de Jemappes (3 days)20 April 2025https://www.visitmons.be/en/events/optocht-van-jemappes-folkloristisch-feest-in-jemappes-084278
Cultural EventRitual Ducasse of Mons (11 days)11 June 2025https://www.visitmons.be/en/events/ritual-ducasse-of-mons-816941
Cultural EventMons Street Party (for 12 days)1 July 2025https://www.visitmons.be/en/events/mons-street-party-301482
Music FestivalDourfestival (5 days)16 July 2025https://www.dourfestival.eu/en/

Important events and festivals in Namur 2025

Type of eventEvent nameDate for 2025Website
Cultural EventFolknam19 April 2025https://visitwallonia.com/en-gb/3/where-to-go-in-wallonia-/gateway-towns/namur-/main-events/folknam-namurs-folkloroc-traditions-day/6934
Sport EventWallonia Rally 2024 (3 days)25 April 2025https://www.namurtourisme.be/en/evenements/rallye-de-wallonie-2023/?event_id=23758
Sport EventXTERRA7 June 2025https://visitwallonia.com/en-gb/3/where-to-go-in-wallonia/walloon-towns-and-cities/namur/main-events/xterra-belgium-a-namur-pour-sa-seconde-edition/46074
Beer festivalBarnabeer (for 3 days)26 June 2025https://visitwallonia.com/en-gb/3/where-to-go-in-wallonia/walloon-towns-and-cities/namur/main-events/barnabeer-estival-a-beer-festival-at-the-citadel-of-namure/48739
Beer festivalThe Namur beer fair (2 days)22 November 2025https://www.namurtourisme.be/en/evenements/le-salon-des-bieres-namuroises/?event_id=22971
Cultural EventThe combat de l’échasse d’orhttps://visitwallonia.com/en-gb/3/where-to-go-in-wallonia-/gateway-towns/namur-/main-events/fight-for-the-golden-stilt-folklore-and-tradition-in-namur-/7662

Music Festivals in Belgium 2025

CityType of eventEvent nameDate for 2025Website
KortrijkMusic FestivalMayday Mayday1 May 2025https://maydaymayday.be/
BrusselsMusic FestivalBrussels Jazz Weekend (3 days)24 May 2025https://www.lottobrusselsjazzweekend.be/
HasseltMusic FestivalLive in Hasselt31/5https://www.liveinhasselt.be/
AntwerpMusic FestivalUnicorn Festival (3 days)20 June 2025https://www.unicornfestival.be/
BrusselsMusic FestivalCouleur Café (3 days)27 June 2025https://www.couleurcafe.be/en/
BrusselsMusic FestivalParadise City (3 days)27 June 2025https://paradisecity.be/
LiegeMusic FestivalLes Ardentes (4 days)3 July 2025https://lesardentes.be/?lng=en
LeuvenMusic FestivalRock Werchter (4 days)3 July 2025https://www.rockwerchter.be/nl/
LeuvenMusic FestivalPark Festival6 July 2025https://leuven.be/park
BrugesMusic FestivalCactus festival (3 days)11 July 2025https://www.cactusfestival.be/
MonsMusic FestivalDourfestival (5 days)16 July 2025https://www.dourfestival.eu/en/
BoomMusic FestivalTomorrowland (3 days)18 July 2025https://www.tomorrowland.com/home/
BoechoutMusic FestivalSfinks Mixed (4 days)24 July 2025https://www.sfinks.be/?lang=en
BoomMusic FestivalTomorrowland (3 days)25 July 2025https://www.tomorrowland.com/home/
LokerenMusic FestivalLokerse Feesten (10 days)1 August 2025https://www.lokersefeesten.be/nl/
TienenMusic FestivalSuikerrock (3 days)1 August 2025https://www.suikerrock.be/
KortrijkMusic FestivalAlcatraz Metal Festival (4 days)7 August 2025https://www.alcatraz.be/en/
HasseltMusic FestivalPukkelpop (4 days)14 August 2025https://www.pukkelpop.be/nl/
BrugesMusic FestivalWECANDANCE (3 days)15 August 2025https://wecandance.be/
KortrijkMusic FestivalKamping Kitsh Club23 August 2025https://www.kampingkitschclub.be/fack
KortrijkMusic FestivalStudent Welcomehttps://swkortrijk.be/

What events are you planning on visiting? Let me know in the comments!

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