2020 has surely been a difficult year for the event sector. The lockdown and the implementation of social distancing measures to fight Covid-19 have forced organizers to cancel festivals or postpone them to 2021. While waiting for the situation to go back to normal, check out these 10 festivals in Belgium… Some of them require early bookings, so you have plenty of time to organize yourself!
1. Ghent Festival
Every July, the city of Ghent organizes a large-scale urban festival all over the town. This cultural festival lasts for 10 days and includes cost-free concerts on Ghent’s squares, animation for children, indoor and outdoor activities, fairs, parades, performances of national and international artists and much more!
2. Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland is the largest electronic music event and the most well-known festival in Belgium. This is why getting the tickets can be quite challenging… Tomorrowland takes place in Boom, a town situated thirty minutes from Brussels. The festival features top international DJs and numerous international artists.
3. The Battle of Waterloo Re-enactment
The historic Battle of Waterloo, which took place in June 1815, is commemorated each June in the field of Waterloo where the conflict took place. During the battle re-enactment, thousands of actors fill the battlefield to honor the victory of the Duke of Wellington over the course of a weekend.
4. Brussels Flower Carpet
The Brussels Flower Carpet is organized every two years in August, in the Grand Place of Belgium’s capital. During these days, the square is filled with more than half a million colorful begonias that are assembled in a flower carpet measuring 70m long and 24m wide.
5. Rock Werchter
Rock Werchter is one of the greates events in Belgium featuring many talented Belgian rock artists. The festival was organized for the first time in 1974. Many worldwide famous artists have performed here, such as U2, Muse, Eurythmics, Ramstein, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Metallica.
6. Carnival of Binche
Each year, the small Walloon town of Binche organizes a three-day Carnaval (Sunday, Monday and Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday). During these days, Binche returns back to the 16th century. In 2003, the carnival has been recognized by UNESCO as an ‘Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.’
7. Salon Du Chocolat Brussels
Salon Du Chocolat Brussels is the best Belgium chocolate festival. Here it is possible to find some of the finest high-quality chocolates of the world. During the festival participants can attend an interactive session with chocolate makers. But the best attraction is made of dozens of food booths selling chocolate pralines and treats.
8. Ghent Light Festival
The Ghent light festival is celebrated every three years and is completely free. During the event, several performances are showcased by professional light artists from all around the world. Ghent looks amazing during this festival and offers breathtaking views of its picturesque streets and canals.
9. Brussels Animation Film Festival
The Brussels Animation Film Festival, also called Anima Festival, is organized yearly during February. The festival aims to encourage the production of computer-generated films and clips. It is the only festival of its kind in Belgium and one of the most important in Europe. During this event, numerous short and long animated movies are presented and premiered.
10. Brussels Summer Festival
Brussels Summer Festival is a pop festival that takes place at the end of August in Belgium’s capital. The festival includes performances of talented international artists with a focus on hip-hop, electro, techno and beyond. It is considered one of Brussels’ most important cultural events in the summer.
