Best time to visit Belgium
Best time of year to visit Belgium
Mild weather and several famous festivals, like Tomorrowland, make April through October the best time to visit Belgium. Even though the skies are usually clear, rain can happen anytime.
June through August is peak season in Belgium with invasive chords of tourists and higher rates on accommodation. However, this is also a great time to go horseback fishing in West Flanders, to hike in Ardennes, or to chill on the coast.
Autumn brings in lively festivities to the country, such as the Ghent Festival of Flanders. Going to Ardennes is a good idea if you are an adherent of hunting.
In the winter, try cross-country skiing. Bruges and Ghent are considered to be the best ski resorts in Belgium, so there is an excellent reason to adore the cold season.
20 THINGS TO DO IN BELGIUM (APRIL 18 - APRIL 27)
Royal Greenhouses of Laeken
unconfirmedThe private garden of the King welcomes visitors for three weeks only
Hallerbos
Every spring, millions of bluebells bloom in the Blue Forest
AG Antwerp 10 Miles & Marathon
Every year, sportsmen and enthusiasts gather to run 5, 16 or 42 kilometres
Floralia Brussels
Over one million flowers bloom in the park and greenhouses of the 12th-century castle
Caving
Belgium boasts several cave systems and underground waterways
Sonian Forest (Zoniënwoud)
“Brussels’ Lungs” is a habitat for hundreds of species
Magnolias in Botanic Garden Meise
Dozens of magnolia trees burst into blossoms and mark the beginning of spring
Lambic Beer
A unique type of beer is being brewed in a small region southwest of Brussels
Endive & Ham Gratin
A traditional dish from the rural regions of Belgium
Atomium
A landmark of Brussels, once called Europe's most bizzare building
Owl Breeding Season
Birdwatchers flock to Belgium every spring to observe Tengmalm’s Owl and the Eagle Owl
Belgian Waffles
One of the most famous Belgian products in the world
Birdwatching
In winter, parts of Belgium serve as a shelter for flocks of migratory birds
Speculoos (Speculaas)
Thin and crispy Belgian cookies for St. Nickolas’ Day
Cuberdon
A cone-shaped candy is a specialty of Belgium
Jenever
A typical liquor for Christmas celebrations
Kayaking & Canoeing
Discover Wallonia from the water. The whole region is crisscrossed by smaller rivers
Hiking
Deep forests, picturesque valleys, mountain rivers and heaths in blossom await hikers in Belgium
White Asparagus
The “white gold” of Belgium is a favorite spring vegetable
Blossom Season in Haspengouw
unconfirmedPear, apple, and cherry orchards burst into blossoms for one month
68 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE
Ghent Light Festival
unconfirmedWhen the sun goes down, thousands of lights illuminate Ghent
Tomorrowland
out of rangeOn the eve of the first-time Tomorrowland, its organisers handed out tickets for free to ensure that people would come. A few years later the tickets were sold out in a second!
Flower Carpet & Flowertime
out of rangeEvery year, the centre of Brussels gets covered with flowers
Kattenstoet
out of rangeThe Cat Parade takes place in Ypres every three years
Brussels New Year's Eve
out of rangeWatch the fireworks near the Atomium or explore Brussels' best nightclubs
Ducasse de Mons (Doudou)
out of rangeThe traditional village fair celebrates the victory of Saint George over the dragon
Bruges Christmas Market
out of rangeA special occasion full of the festive hustle and bustle, Belgian delicacies, and authentic holiday gifts
Ommegang
out of rangeThe city gets occupied by thousands of medieval characters
Gent Jazz Festival
out of rangeEvery year, Ghent brings together jazz artists and fans
Beer Festivals
out of rangeAutumn is the best time to discover the beer culture of Belgium
Brussels Jazz Weekend
out of rangeFor one weekend, the heart of Brussels beats to the rhythm of jazz, which is played in every nook of the city
Medieval Festival of Bouillon
out of rangeVisitors plunge into the atmosphere of the Middle Ages
Pageant of the Golden Tree
unconfirmedEvery five years, a colourful festival takes over the streets of Bruges
Brussels Christmas Market
out of rangeOne of the best and largest holiday markets in Europe
Horseback Shrimp Fishing
out of rangeA unique fishing tradition is still preserved in Oostduinkerke
European Circus Festival
out of rangeWorld-class artists show us what the real circus is
Dinant International Bathtub Regatta
out of rangeThe unusual Belgian water race attracts participants from all over the world
Cherry Blossoms in Hasselt
out of rangeOver two hundred cherry trees bloom in Europe's largest Japanese garden
Belgium's Christmas Markets
out of rangeImmerse yourself in the atmosphere of winter holidays and savor mouth-watering Belgian delicacies
Carnaval de Binche
out of rangeOne of the oldest and merriest shrove traditions of Wallonie
Pukkelpop
out of rangeThe second biggest music festival in Belgium offers four days of trendy beats
Ostend Beach Festival
out of rangeThe biggest beach party in Belgium
Aalst Carnaval
out of rangeSatirical and colourful celebrations for Mardi Gras
The Labyrinth of Durbuy
out of rangeFind your way out of a giant maze
Procession of the Holy Blood (Bruges)
out of rangeThe colourful pageant unites the city through its history and beliefs
Rock Werchter
out of rangeOne of the oldest rock festivals in the world is listed in European top five and boasts incredible crowds
Bruges Beer Festival
out of rangeFor the first weekend of February, Bruges becomes a pilgrimage site for beer-lovers
Village de Noël de Liège
out of rangeLiege's Christmas Village is the biggest and oldest Christmas market in Belgium
Beer Lovers' Marathon
out of rangeRun and sip Belgium's finest brews
Brussels Chocolate Fair (Salon du Chocolat)
on holdA three-day event for chocolate lovers
Belgian National Day
out of rangeFree museums entry, a parade and fireworks are part of the celebration
Antwerp Christmas Market
out of rangeThe brightly decorated historic city center of Antwerp looks stunning during the holidays
Ghent Christmas Market
out of rangeEnjoy the amazing atmosphere during the holiday season
Winterland Hasselt Christmas Market
out of rangeKolonel Dusartplein transforms into a true winter wonderland for over seven weeks
Barrio Cantina
out of rangeA Belgian Food Truck Festival travels across the Flanders region
Rampage
out of rangeThe biggest drum&bass and dubstep party in the world
Jazzuary
out of rangeIn January, jazz music sets the rhythm of life in Brussels
Houtem Jaarmarkt
out of rangeOne of the biggest and oldest open-air livestock fairs in Europe
Ghent Festival of Flanders
out of rangeFrom organ music to jazz, this festival is all about diversity and creativity
Moules Frites (Mosselen met Friet)
out of rangeMussels and fries is one of the most popular dishes in Belgian cuisine
Couleur Café Festival
out of rangeThe most exotic and colourful festival of Belgium is a mixture of urban music and contemporary art
Brussels Summer Festival
out of rangeDiscover Belgian music with dozens of artists playing rock, pop, hip-hop and jazz
BD Strip Festival
unconfirmedCartoons come to life on the streets of the city
Winter / Christmas Beers
out of rangeSeasonal beers are brewed for the cold winters of Belgium
Zythos Beer Festival
out of rangeOver one hundred beer producers come to the city of Leuven every April
Heather Blooming
out of rangeObserve the vast Belgian moorlands covered with a violet carpet of Calluna vulgaris
Deep in the Woods
out of rangeA one-weekend party to escape from city life and daily routines
Meyboom
out of rangeEvery year, a tree is erected in the city to commemorate the victory of Brussels over the city of Leuven
Shrimp Season
out of rangeOne of the key specialties of Belgium and a favourite among locals
Horst Arts & Music Festival
out of rangeA three-day art and music festival in a former military site
Gentse Waterzooi
out of rangeA soup-like stew will warm you during the coldest of days
Ducasse d'Ath
out of rangeFor more than 500 years, seven giants have walked through the town of Ath on the fourth Sunday of August
Giant Omelette in Malmedy
out of rangeEvery year, the citizens of Malmedy gather to cook a huge omelette
Belgian Beer Weekend
out of rangeOver 450 beers during one weekend in the center of Brussels
Vredefeesten Sint-Niklaas
unconfirmedThe weekend full of fun and hot air balloons at Grote Markt in Sint-Niklaas
Krakelingen & Tonnekensbrand
out of rangeThis fire and bread feast marks the end of winter
Sea Lavender (Lamsoor) in the Zwin
out of rangeThis plant makes the North Sea coastline and salt marshes of Belgium look alive
BRAFA Art Fair
out of rangeOne of the oldest and most prestigious fairs in Europe
Esperanzah! World Music Festival
unconfirmedThree days of dancing at the abbey on the picturesque banks of the Sambre River
Dour Festival
out of rangeThe biggest and most popular music event in the French-speaking part of Belgium
Les Ardentes
out of rangeRap, rock and hip-hop flows above the Meuse River
Hanswijk Procession
out of rangeOne of the oldest religious processions in Belgium
Fire is Gold
out of rangeOne of the biggest electronic music events in Belgium
Game Season
out of rangeBelgian cuisine offers plenty of dishes featuring game
Stoemp
out of rangeA typical Belgian dish made of mashed vegetables
Marches of Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse
out of rangeA series of traditional marches take place in the small towns of Wallonia
Meakusma Festival
out of rangeA festival of electronic music and video installations
Skiing and Snowboarding
out of rangeBelgium satisfies both experienced riders and beginners
