Belgium Calendar 2025 - Public & Regional Holidays: Significance and Celebration

Belgium, a nation rich in cultural diversity and history, observes a variety of public holidays that reflect its national milestones, religious traditions, and unique regional identities. With three official languages—Dutch, French, and German—Belgium’s holidays highlight the shared values and customs of its communities while also celebrating the individuality of its regions.

Learn more: Europe Calendar 2025 - List of Public Holidays and Celebration

The stylized map of Belgium featuring key public holidays with regional symbols like a beer mug and fries for Labour Day, fireworks near the Atomium for Belgian National Day, and a remembrance poppy in Ypres for Armistice Day

List of Public Holidays in Belgium in 2025: Significance and Celebration

Belgium officially recognizes 12 public holidays, during which schools, government offices, and most businesses are closed. These holidays are celebrated across the country, though specific traditions may vary by region.

1. New Year’s Day (Nieuwjaarsdag / Jour de l’An / Neujahrstag)

• Date: January 1, 2025
• Type: Public Holiday
• Significance:

  Marks the beginning of the calendar year and symbolizes new beginnings, resolutions, and hope for prosperity.

• Celebrations:

  Families exchange greetings and gifts. Many attend church services or enjoy fireworks. Traditional New Year’s meals may include cougnou (sweet bread).

2. Easter Monday (Paasmaandag / Lundi de Pâques / Ostermontag)

• Date: April 21, 2025
• Type: Public Holiday
• Significance:

  Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, following Easter Sunday. Easter Monday is also a day of rest and family gatherings.

• Celebrations:

  Families share festive meals, and children participate in Easter egg hunts. Towns and villages may organize parades or markets.

3. Labour Day (Dag van de Arbeid / Fête du Travail / Tag der Arbeit)

• Date: May 1, 2025
• Type: Public Holiday
• Significance:

  Commemorates workers’ rights and the achievements of the labor movement. It’s a day for reflecting on social justice and labor issues.

• Celebrations:

  Unions organize parades and demonstrations, particularly in major cities like Brussels. Families often enjoy the day as a public holiday with picnics or outings.

Public Holidays in Belgium

4. Ascension Day (O.L.H. Hemelvaart / Ascension / Christi Himmelfahrt)

• Date: May 29, 2025
• Type: Public Holiday
• Significance:

  A Christian holiday celebrating Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven, 40 days after Easter.

• Celebrations:

  Church services are held, and the day is typically spent with family. In some regions, traditional processions or fairs may take place.

5. Whit Monday (Pinkstermaandag / Lundi de Pentecôte / Pfingstmontag)

• Date: June 9, 2025
• Type: Public Holiday
• Significance:

  Marks the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, 50 days after Easter. It’s an important day in the Christian liturgical calendar.

• Celebrations:

  Families gather for meals, and some regions hold outdoor fairs or community events.

6. Belgian National Day (Nationale Feestdag / Fête Nationale / Nationalfeiertag)

• Date: July 21, 2025
• Type: Public Holiday
• Significance:

  Commemorates the inauguration of King Leopold I in 1831, marking the start of Belgium’s monarchy and independence.

• Celebrations:

  Parades and firework displays are held in cities like Brussels. The royal family attends a military parade, and flags are displayed nationwide.

7. Assumption Day (O.L.V. Hemelvaart / Assomption / Mariä Himmelfahrt)

• Date: August 15, 2025
• Type: Public Holiday
• Significance:

  A Christian holiday celebrating the Virgin Mary’s assumption into heaven.

• Celebrations:

  Religious services are held in churches, particularly in Catholic communities. Many regions organize fairs and local festivities.

8. All Saints’ Day (Allerheiligen / Toussaint / Allerheiligenfest)

• Date: November 1, 2025
• Type: Public Holiday
• Significance:

  Honors all saints and martyrs of the Christian faith.

• Celebrations:

  Families visit cemeteries to clean and decorate the graves of loved ones with flowers and candles.

All Saints' Day - Origin, Meaning, Traditions, and Celebrations Around the World

9. Armistice Day (Wapenstilstand / Jour de l'Armistice / Waffenstillstandstag)

• Date: November 11, 2025
• Type: Public Holiday
• Significance:

  Commemorates the end of World War I and honors those who served and sacrificed.

• Celebrations:

  Ceremonies are held at war memorials, such as the Menin Gate in Ypres. The day is marked by solemn reflection and remembrance.

10. Christmas Day (Noël / Kerstmis)

• Date: December 25, 2025
• Type: Public Holiday
• Closures:

  Schools, public offices, and supermarkets are closed. Some convenience stores or restaurants may open for tourists.

• Celebrations: Midnight masses, Christmas feasts, and visits to markets like those in Brussels and Bruges.

List of Public Holidays in Belgium

List of Regional Holidays in Belgium 2025

Belgium’s three regions—Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels-Capital Region—also observe regional holidays that reflect their cultural and linguistic identities.

Belgium’s regions—Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels-Capital Region, and the German-speaking Community—celebrate additional holidays specific to their linguistic, cultural, and historical identities. While not national public holidays, these regional holidays are deeply meaningful to their respective communities and highlight Belgium’s unique diversity.

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1. Flemish Community Day (Feestdag van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap)

• Date: July 11, 2025
• Region: Flanders
• Significance:

  Commemorates the victory of the Flemish militia at the Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302, a defining moment in Flanders’ history.

• Celebrations:
  • Cultural events, concerts, and historical reenactments are organized across Flanders.
  • Flags of the Flemish Community are prominently displayed.
  • Cities like Ghent and Antwerp host exhibitions and performances celebrating Flemish culture.

2. French Community Day (Fête de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles)

• Date: September 27, 2025
• Region: Wallonia and French-speaking Brussels
• Significance:

  Marks the revolutionary uprising against Dutch forces in 1830, a key event in Belgium’s independence movement.

• Celebrations:
  • Parades and concerts in Walloon cities like Namur and Liège.
  • Regional fairs showcase Walloon cuisine, crafts, and music.
  • Educational programs highlight the region’s contributions to Belgium’s history and culture.

3. German-Speaking Community Day (Tag der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft)

• Date: November 15, 2025
• Region: German-speaking Community of Belgium
• Significance:

  Celebrates the autonomy of Belgium’s small but culturally rich German-speaking community.

• Celebrations:
  • Local festivals and cultural events focus on German heritage and traditions.
  • Flag-raising ceremonies and performances by local musicians and dancers.
  • Schools and institutions organize special programs to teach about the community’s history.

4. Walloon Regional Holiday (Fêtes de Wallonie)

• Date: Third Sunday in September (September 21, 2025)
• Region: Wallonia
• Significance:

  Celebrates Wallonia’s regional identity, culture, and traditions. It originated in the 19th century to promote regional pride.

• Celebrations:
  • Massive fairs and festivals in cities like Namur, often lasting several days.
  • Traditional pékèt (Walloon gin) and local foods are enjoyed.
  • Folk music, dances, and performances reflect Wallonia’s rich heritage.

5. Brussels Iris Festival (Fête de l’Iris / Irisfeest)

• Date: May 5, 2025
• Region: Brussels-Capital Region
• Significance:

  Celebrates the founding of the Brussels-Capital Region and the iris, the region’s emblem.

• Celebrations:
  • Free concerts, open-air events, and parades are held in Brussels.
  • Government buildings open their doors for public tours.
  • Cultural activities highlight Brussels’ diverse communities and history.

6. Liège October Fair (Foire d'Octobre de Liège)

• Date: October 2025 (Exact dates vary)
• Region: Liège (Wallonia)
• Significance:

  One of the oldest fairs in Belgium, dating back to the 16th century, celebrating Liège’s local culture.

• Celebrations:
  • Amusement rides, food stalls, and craft exhibitions fill the streets of Liège.
  • Performances by local artists and bands entertain attendees.
  • Traditional Walloon foods, such as boulets à la liégeoise, are featured prominently.

7. Carnival of Binche (Carnaval de Binche)

• Date: February 25, 2025 (Shrove Tuesday)
• Region: Wallonia (Binche)
• Significance:

  A UNESCO-recognized cultural tradition dating back to the 14th century, this carnival is one of Belgium’s most iconic celebrations.

• Celebrations:
  • The Gilles, costumed performers wearing wax masks, throw oranges to the crowd as a symbol of good luck.
  • Parades, music, and traditional dances fill the streets.
  • Locals and tourists gather for an unforgettable cultural experience.

8. Procession of the Holy Blood (Processie van het Heilig Bloed / Procession du Saint-Sang)

• Date: May 29, 2025 (Ascension Day)
• Region: Flanders (Bruges)
• Significance:

  A religious event honoring the relic of the Holy Blood, believed to have been brought to Bruges during the Crusades.

• Celebrations:
  • A solemn procession through the streets of Bruges, featuring participants in medieval costumes.
  • Church services and blessings are held at the Basilica of the Holy Blood.

Conclusion

Belgium’s public and regional holidays in 2025 offer a blend of religious devotion, national pride, and cultural celebration. From the solemnity of Armistice Day to the joy of Belgian National Day, these holidays provide opportunities for reflection, unity, and festivity. The country’s regional holidays further enrich the calendar, showcasing Belgium’s linguistic and cultural diversity.

FAQs

1. What are the most important public holidays in Belgium?

   New Year’s Day, Belgian National Day, and Christmas are among the most celebrated.

2. Are shops open on public holidays in Belgium?

   Most shops and businesses are closed, but some essential services and tourist-oriented shops may remain open.

3. What regional holidays are unique to Belgium?

   The Flemish, French, and German-speaking communities each have their own special holidays, reflecting their cultural identities.

4. How is Belgian National Day celebrated?

   Parades, concerts, and fireworks are held, with major events taking place in Brussels.

5. Do all regions celebrate the same holidays in Belgium?

   While public holidays are observed nationwide, regional holidays vary based on linguistic and cultural communities.

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