The Most Attractive of Belgium's Festivals

Carnival
Another festival in Belgium is the February Carnival, which dates back to the Roman Catholic Church during the Lent period. According to ancient traditions, this period was one of indulgence in food, drink, and even entertainment before the fasting period began. One of the best cities in Belgium to experience this festival is Brussels. During carnival days, the streets of Brussels are filled with beautiful colors, street parades, and live music events. People decorate their homes, and the residents of the city wear special and interesting costumes to participate in the parade. Food and drink festivals are also among the events of this carnival.

Ommegang Festival
The Ommegang Festival plays a very important role in honoring the history and culture of the charming country of Belgium. This festival is held in honor of King Charles V and his son Philip. Interestingly, since 1549, this festival has been held annually on the first Thursday of July with more than 1,400 participants. Those in power in Brussels at the time decided to organize a procession to display the wealth and glory of their city in honor of the man who ruled over Europe. The word "Ommegang" means procession. Participants, dressed in traditional clothing, along with horses, antique weapons, carts, and giants, begin to march, creating a magnificent and colorful scene. This grand procession begins in the Sablon neighborhood, and spectators, along with the royal family, gather in the Grand Place to pay respect to Belgium's history.

Masked Men Festival
The Masked Men Carnival is held in the city of Binche (in French: Binche) in Belgium, and it involves interesting events. This carnival, one of the most important celebrations in Belgium, is usually held in February for three days and is a masterpiece of oral tradition, attracting large numbers of locals and tourists every year. One of the attractions in Binche is the carnival where masked men, wearing special costumes, march through the streets and throw oranges at people, who are proud to participate in it. Similar carnivals are held in other cities in Belgium, but the Binche carnival is much more famous. It can be confidently said that the Masked Men Carnival, held annually before Christian fasting days in the city of Binche or Binche in Belgium, is one of the most famous mask festivals in the world, highly popular and of great interest to all.

This carnival, which captivates everyone with its beautiful street performances, is considered an interesting event across the country. In 2003, it was declared a masterpiece of cultural and spiritual heritage by UNESCO and was registered. The Binche carnival is a living and exceptional heritage, considered a popular, social, and collective event. The festival reaches its peak on the third day. On this day, peasants, clowns, phantoms, and other people from across the country, accompanied by drumbeats and wearing identical masks, begin to move through the streets, throwing oranges and creating fascinating images.

The importance of this carnival, from the perspective of the people and officials of the city of Binche, is such that today an international museum has been established in Binche to showcase the tradition of the Masked Men Carnival and their costumes in full detail, so that any tourists who visit Binche outside the event period can become familiar with it. The Binche carnival is an event that takes place annually in the city of Binche, Belgium, usually on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday mornings in February. The most important part of this carnival is the people known as "gill." Playing the role of "gill" in the Masked Men Carnival of Binche is an honor that every local man desires to achieve and is eager to be part of this group.

Cinema Novo International Film Festival
The Cinema Novo International Film Festival in the city of Bruges is one of the film festivals that attracts great filmmakers from around the world. This festival is held annually in March. Cinema Novo is an international film festival that showcases short films, feature films, and even documentaries from Latin America, Africa, and Asia. This event lasts for 10 days. The Cinema Novo Festival takes place at the Lumière Art House and Liberty Blockbuster cinema.

Flanders Festival
The Flanders Festival is a grand celebration to honor traditional theater, music, and dance. This festival starts in April and continues until October. It takes place in various locations, including Brussels and Flanders. Beautiful performances of music, concerts, theater, and traditional dances are held in public spaces of the city, including historic buildings, churches, town halls, theaters, and monasteries. If the weather is suitable, these festivals are also held outdoors.

Zinneke Festival
The Zinneke Festival is known as the craziest festival in Europe! First held in 2000, its goal is to unite a multicultural city. This festival is a cultural movement, held every two years in May. Students, artists, and citizens of the beautiful city of Brussels march through the streets in colorful clothes to highlight a specific social issue each year. The Zinneke Festival is a cultural movement that, through its modern and creative performances, can inspire friendship and peace for anyone.

Christmas
The beautiful city of Brussels transforms into a winter wonderland from late November to January 4, known as "Brussels Winter Wonders." More than 200 stalls are set up during this festival, each one sure to surprise you. From fish and spice markets to stalls offering chocolates, clothes, antiques, flowers, and thousands of other lovely stalls, you can spend hours exploring them. The festival includes a fair and a beautiful market, where visitors of all ages, young and old, can enjoy. The Christmas festival also offers a wonderful Ferris wheel and ice rink for a bit of fun and relaxation to celebrate the arrival of winter.

Brussels Summer Festival
Every year in August, this summer festival brings together the most famous musicians and singers from Belgium and internationally, who perform lively and energetic programs for their audiences. This festival was first held in 2002 by Jeans Steffens with the aim of creating a cultural festival for all art lovers. If you visit the beautiful city of Brussels in August, make sure to check out this lively festival, which will energize and uplift you. The festival is free for the public and is held every year in one of the city's beautiful squares. It is interesting to note that this festival has become one of the most famous music festivals in the world, with thousands of people traveling to Brussels every year to attend.

Procession of the Holy Blood
In 1150 AD, a grand procession was held by Christians in the city of Bruges. The Procession of the Holy Blood is one of the most important religious festivals in Europe. Every year in May, an antique vessel containing the Holy Blood, which was presented to the city by the Count of Flanders after his return from the Crusades in 1349, is paraded through the medieval streets of the city during a religious procession. 1,500 selected individuals from the city participate in the Procession of the Holy Blood.

Boombal Festival
Boombal is one of Belgium's oldest festivals and is actually a local dance festival. At the Boombal Festival, local Belgian music composed by local musicians is performed. Food stalls at the festival offer some of the best Belgian vegetarian dishes to visitors. Those interested in traditional music can join in and enjoy the performance of Belgian local music along with local dances. Beautiful lighting during the event doubles the excitement of the festival.

Rock Werchter Festival
Rock Werchter is one of the world's leading music festivals. In 2015, it won the Arthur Award as the best music festival. Rock Werchter is one of Belgium's largest events and hosts many artists from the music world each year. The festival began in 1974 and has since become one of the most popular music festivals. Many famous artists have performed at this festival. It is held annually from June 27 to June 30.

Tomorrowland Festival
Tomorrowland Festival in Belgium is one of the best music festivals that attracts people from all over the world. If you are a fan of electronic music, you must visit this festival. Tomorrowland was first held in 2005 and has since become one of Belgium's annual events. It takes place in one of Flanders' parks, with prominent artists and musicians from all over the world performing at the festival. This festival is held every year in July.

Chocolate Festival of Mons
The Chocolate Festival of Mons is one of Belgium's annual festivals. During this festival, you can find the best and most delicious Belgian chocolates in shops all over the country. If you love chocolates and sweets, you must attend the Chocolate Festival in Belgium, where you can meet some of the best chocolate makers, talk to them, and try delicious Belgian chocolates. The Chocolate Festival of Mons is held every year in March.

Brussels Animation Film Festival
The Brussels Animation Film Festival, also known as the Anima Festival, is one of Belgium's annual festivals held every February. Each year, thousands of people, including animators, eagerly await this festival. The main goal of the festival is to encourage talented individuals in the field of filmmaking and computer animation. Many short and feature-length animations are showcased at the festival. At the end of the festival, the showcased animations are reviewed and critiqued.

Ghent Light Festival
The Ghent Light Festival is held every three years in the city of Ghent. During this festival, you can witness the beautiful city of Ghent illuminated with professional and creative lighting, creating a breathtaking view. Artists from around the world participate in this festival. The festival includes beautiful shows and performances. The illuminated city of Ghent is one of the most magnificent views you can witness. For over 170 years, the Ghent Festival has brought joy and energy to the city every July. Concerts, animation films for children, and hundreds of other entertaining activities are part of this festival. The next Ghent Light Festival will be held in January 2021.

Brussels Food Truck Festival
In recent years, street food culture in Europe has taken on a new form. The Brussels Food Truck Festival is one of the newest festivals held throughout Europe. Brussels has gained popularity for hosting one of the largest food truck festivals. At the Brussels Food Truck Festival, more than a hundred food trucks prepare the best local foods for visitors. Food lovers should definitely attend this festival in Belgium.