The medieval festival Ommegang will transform Brussels’ Sablon and Grand Place, bringing the glory of the Middle Ages in front of contemporary spectators. The main events this year, including the show, parade, and crossbow competition, will be held on Wednesday, 2 July, and Friday, 4 July. Meanwhile, a Renaissance market, horse jousting, and Renaissance village will open on Wednesday, 2 July, and remain open until Saturday, 5 July.
From Middle Ages to Middle East: Ommegang welcomes UAE
This year, the festival promises an extra layer of global cultural exchange, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) attending as the distinguished Guest of Honour. The inclusion of the UAE underscores Ommegang’s commitment to fostering unity, bridging Belgium’s storied past with the modernity of the Gulf.
“In celebrating Ommegang together, we honour a shared heritage that transcends borders, illustrating the power of cultural diplomacy to unite people,” explains H.E. Mohamed Al Sahlawi, UAE ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and the European Union. “As the UAE joins Belgium in this historic tradition, we celebrate the friendship and cooperation between our nations, which grow stronger through mutual respect and cultural exchange,” he concludes.
Highlights of Ommegang 2025
This UNESCO-recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage event will once again transport spectators back to the Renaissance era. The name of the festival is derived from Dutch, and it means walking around. Historically, such processions were common in medieval Low Country cities (now Belgium, the Netherlands, and northern France).
At 9:00 pm the show at Grand Place will start, inviting the audience to leave the 21st century and travel back in time. The past will unfold for the spectators with the help of a storyteller and an illustrator, while a master of ceremonies will serve as the traditional messenger.
Under Giles Daoust’s direction, featuring sound, light, music, and pyrotechnics, the event will recreate medieval Brussels with the help of singers, orators, and famous Belgian personalities. Furthermore, there will be a large screen available for attendees to watch the procession’s arrival. Featuring 1,400 actors, different folk and historic groups, horses, puppet theatre, and flags, the parade and show are not only part of UNESCO cultural heritage, but also an integral aspect of Brussels’ rich folklore.
The Grand-Place show on Wednesday and Friday will be preceded by the Ommegang parades. The “pre-parade” will start from the Royal Park at 8:50 pm. This procession will make its way through Place des Palais, Rue Royale, Place Royale, Rue de la Régence, and Rue Bodenbroek, where it will connect with the crossbowmen, archers, harquebusiers, and fencers in Sablon.
Tickets range from €45 to €85, depending on the seating. They can be booked via Ommegang’s website. Additionally, a bilingual programme in French and Dutch will be sold on the evening of the event for €5. Apart from the main show at the Grand Place, every other event is free to attend. Guests can access the location through the streets indicated on their tickets.
