Belgium and Luxembourg (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

BELGIUM AND LUXEMBOURG THROUGH THE YEAR 33

AVERAGE DAILY HOURS OF SUNSHINE

FebJan Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Climate

Belgium and

Luxembourg have a

fairly temperate north-

ern European climate.

Although not often

freezing, winters are

chilly and a heavy

coat is required.

Summers can be

pleasantly warm

though a jersey might

still be needed in the

evenings. Rainwear is

always a necessity.

Millions of flowers in intricate designs at the spectacular Tapis de Fleurs

Ducasse de Mons (Trinity
Sun), Mons. Dating from
1380, the festival displays the
reliquary shrine of St Waudru
of Mons in the Procession of
the Golden Chariot. It cul-
minates in the Battle of
Lumeçon between St George
and the Dragon.
Les Journées des Quatre
Cortèges (2nd weekend),
Tournai. Folkloric giants
take to the streets in
four traditional parades.
Battle of Waterloo re-
enactments (variable),
Waterloo. A major
re-enactment marks
the anniversary
of the battle every
five years, but
smaller events
take place around
18 June every year.

JULY

Ommegang (1st Tue–Thu),
Brussels. Said to date from
1549, this grand ommegang
(walk-around) involves 1,400
participants dressed as stilt-
walkers, Renaissance nobles,
guildsmen, soldiers, flag-
throwers, musicians and
acrobats. All parade through
the Grand Place before the
nobility seated on a rostrum.
Rock Werchter (1st weekend),
near Leuven. This four-day
outdoor rock festival has
gained international fame and
attracts a line-up of top acts.
Zevenjaarlijkse Kronings-
feesten (early July, 2016),
Tongeren. The Seven-yearly
Crowning Festival has a pro-
cession of 4,000 costumed
people, crowning a 15th-
century statue of the Virgin.

10

8

6

4

2

0

Hours

Guldensporendag (11 July),

Flanders. The anniversary of

the Battle of the Golden Spurs

in 1302 is a Flemish holiday,

marked by a variety of events.

Cactusfestival (2nd weekend),

Bruges. Minnewater Park’s

respected rock festival

attracts some big names in

spite of its low-key approach.

Dour Festival (Thu–Sun,

mid-Jul), near Mons. This is

a 20-year-old rock festival

with an eclectic set

of programmes.

Gentsefeesten

(3rd week),

Ghent. This

festival is a ten-

day party, mixing

street theatre and

acrobatics with

music concerts.

Klinkers (late Jul–early Aug),

Bruges. Rock and pop con-

certs take place in bars, cafés

and the two main squares.

Foire du Midi (mid-Jul–mid-

Aug), Brussels. Fairground

rides and shooting galleries

fill the Boulevard du Midi,

along with food stands wel-

coming the shellfish season.

Boetprocessie (last Sun),

Veurne. The Procession of the

Penitents is a solemn affair,

and follows a 450-year-old

folkloric tradition (see p123).

AUGUST

Meyboom (9 Aug), Brussels.

Giant figures are joyously

paraded to witness the plant-

ing of a meyboom (may tree).

Tapis de Fleurs (mid-Aug),

Brussels. In even-numbered

years, the Grand Place is car-

peted in flowers for four days.

Praalstoet van de Gouden

Boom (late Aug, 2012),

Bruges. The Pageant of the

Golden Tree is held every five

years in 15th-century costume

evoking the city’s golden age.

Reiefeest (21–31 Aug, 2011),

Bruges. Theatrical scenes are

performed every three years

by the River Reie, to cele-

brate the city’s history.

Ducasse (4th Fri–Mon), Ath.

This procession has folkloric

figures such as Monsieur and

Madame Gouyasse (Goliath)

and includes Belgium’s most

celebrated parade of giants.

Dynamic performance

at the Gentsefeesten