Everything is closed but you didn’t get the memo? It’s time you get familiar with public holidays in Belgium! Mark these dates to know when not to plan your visit to a Belgian bank and start learning how to celebrate the national holidays the Belgian way!
Bank holidays in Belgium
Belgium has 10 official bank holidays that are celebrated nationally.
“Except for police stations and hospitals, the majority of Belgian businesses close their doors to celebrate the national holidays.
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Things are changing and more essential stores remain open during public holidays in Belgium, though usually for shorter working hours. So, before you find yourself hungry and empty-handed in front of a closed supermarket, you should familiarise yourself with their opening hours.
As a salaried worker, you’re entitled to have these days off while being paid your normal salary. In certain exceptions when you do work on a national holiday in Belgium, your employer must provide you with an alternative vacation day within 6 weeks from that holiday.
Does a national holiday in Belgium fall on a weekend? Here’s the good news; you’re still entitled to your precious holiday leave on a so-called ‘replacement day.’ Replacement days are normally appointed by the joint committee competent for your sector or your company.
It’s also not uncommon to give an extra day off when a Belgian national holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday. Your company can decide to close on Monday or Friday – a tradition which is often referred to as ‘bridge’(faire le pont/de brug maken);
The dates of Belgian public holidays 2022 – 2023
| Date in 2022 | Date in 2023 | National holiday in Belgium |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 1 January | Sunday 1 January | New Year’s Day |
| Monday 18 April | Monday 10 April | Easter Monday |
| Sunday 1 May | Monday 1 May | Labour Day |
| Thursday 26 May | Thursday 18 May | Ascension Day |
| Monday 12 June | Monday 29 May | Whit Monday |
| Thursday 21 July | Friday 21 July | Belgium National Day |
| Monday 15 August | Tuesday 15 August | Assumption of Mary |
| Tuesday 1 November | Wednesday 1 November | All Saints’ Day |
| Friday 11 November | Saturday 11 November | Armistice Day |
| Sunday 25 December | Monday 25 December | Christmas Day |
Belgium's Independence Day
Probably the most important public holiday in Belgium is Belgium's Independence Day celebrated on the 21st of July each year. This festivity commemorates the day when Leopold I took the constitutional oath and became the first monarch to rule the Kingdom of Belgium.
On this Belgian national holiday, festivities invigorate the whole country. But Brussels is the place to be on Independence Day. After watching the king’s televised speech, you can enjoy a day-long party between the Palace of Justice and the Palace of the Nation, a huge military and civil parade on the Place des Palais, browse through flea markets and watch the spectacle of colourful fireworks.
Belgian regional holidays
Next to nationwide public holidays, each of the Belgian linguistic communities celebrates its regional holidays. While some public institutions such as Belgian schools and universities remain closed during regional celebrations, private employers aren’t required to grant their employees a day off.
The dates of Belgian regional holidays 2022 – 2023
| Date in 2022 | Date in 2023 | Regional holiday in Belgium |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday 8 May | Sunday 7 May | Iris Festival in Brussels |
| Monday 11 July | Tuesday 11 July | Celebration of the Golden Spurs (Day of the Flemish Community |
| Sunday 18 September | Sunday 17 September | Day of the Walloon Region |
| Tuesday 27 September | Wednesday 27 September | Day of the French-speaking Community |
| Tuesday 15 November | Wednesday 15 November | Day of the German-speaking Community |
Iris Festival: the Feast Day of the Brussels-Capital Region
Iris Festival is a big celebration of democracy and freedom in Brussels as it marks the victory against Nazi Germany during World War II. As it coincides with Europe Day, the streets of the capital fill up with concerts and food over the whole weekend and some European institutions open their doors to the public.
Since it’s not a bank holiday in Belgium, the day of the celebration is sometimes moved so that it falls on a weekend. But the local parliament expressed its wish to make it a public paid holiday for the residents of the capital.
“Fun fact: The festival is named after Brussels’ regional symbol – the iris flower that blooms when the festival takes place.
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The Day of the Flemish Community: Celebration of the Golden Spurs
Marking the victory of the Flemish over the French in the 'Battle of the Golden Spurs' in 1302, this important day also celebrates the Flemish culture. Vlaamse Feestdag became a celebrated holiday on July 6, 1973, when Belgian law recognised the Flemish identity and symbols such as the Flemish flag and anthem.
Even though it’s not a public holiday (yet!), the Flemish community celebrates it with a boom. You’ll see cycling events, artistic performances, guided tours, workshops and parties all over the centre of Brussels and the Flemish Parliament opens its doors to the public.
The Day of the Walloon Region
The third Sunday of each September marks a special day for the Walloon Region. Commemorating the participation of the Walloons in the Belgian Revolution in 1830, the holiday celebrates the community’s patriotism with concerts, folklore, games, food and the local drink called peket. If it’s your first time celebrating the Fête de la Wallonie, you should visit Nemur – the regional capital hosting the biggest festivities.
The Day of the French Community
On the 27th of September during the Belgian Revolution in 1830, the Dutch forces were defeated by the Walloon revolutionaries and had to retreat from Brussels. Since 1975, the French community has been celebrating Fête de la Communauté Française to mark this date with concerts, theatre and sports events. As you can see, September is a fun month for the Walloons!
The Day of the German Community
Just like the French and Flemish, the smallest and youngest linguistic community in Belgium has a special date to celebrate their culture too. The 15th of November marks the day when the German community adopted their own coat of arms, flag and colours in 1989. On this day, the flags are hoisted on the administrative buildings in the German parts of Wallonia and it’s common to take a day off and spend some time with your family.
Other celebrations in Belgium
The list goes on! There’re a bunch of other dates people celebrate in Belgium. They aren’t considered Belgian public holidays and most businesses remain open. However, some employers can decide to grant their employees a day off.
Other holidays in Belgium are:
| Date | Celebration |
|---|---|
| 6 January | Epiphany |
| 14 February | Valentine’s Day |
| 3 days preceding Ash Wednesday | Carnival of Binche |
| 7 April | Veterans' Day |
| third Sunday of September | Day of the Walloon Region |
| 31 October | Halloween |
| 2 November | All Souls' Day |
| 15 November | King's Feast |
| 6 December | Saint Nicholas |
| 26 December | Second Day of Christmas |
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