Key Carnival moments in 2025

The 2025 carnival season kicks off on Sunday 23 February with the Bastogne carnival and ends on Monday 31 March with the Stavelot Laetare. There are numerous carnivals between these two dates in a whole range of communes, towns and villages in Wallonia. There are also carnivals in Flanders and Brussels. 

Carnivals not to be missed

• Binche Carnival (2 to 4 March 2025): listed as a UNESCO intangible heritage site, this carnival is famous for its Gilles, characters in richly decorated costumes and wax masks who throw oranges at the crowd. 
• Cwarmê de Malmedy (1 to 4 March 2025): this four-day carnival features a large procession with over 1,500 participants and 15 traditional costumes. The Haguète, the emblematic character, immobilises passers-by with a « Happe-chair ». 
• Carnaval de La Louvière (9 to 11 March 2025): this mid-Lent celebration features Gilles, traditional music and a grand parade, starting at 3am on Sunday. 
• Laetare de Stavelot (29 to 31 March 2025): This carnival is famous for its « Blancs Moussis« , characters dressed entirely in white with long noses, who parade around throwing confetti. Laetare is a festival full of humour. The Confrérie Folklorique des Blancs Moussis has over 350 members who are dedicated to promoting the Blanc Moussi tradition, developing tourism and the economy in Stavelot and promoting brotherhood. 

How a Carnival Day unfolds and the enthusiasm of citizens

The festivities begin at dawn with the gathering of costumed participants. Parades, led by brass bands and folk groups, take over the streets. Street performances, dances and songs punctuate the day. The traditional throwing of oranges and confetti adds to the festive atmosphere. The evening often ends with fireworks or the symbolic burning of an effigy. In other words, carnival is more than just a party for many Walloons; it’s a time for intergenerational transmission and conviviality. The people of Wallonia take great pride in these traditions.

Focus on the Dragon Carnival in Emines (near Namur)

The Knights of Emines Carnival will take place on 1 and 2 February 2025. On Saturday 1 February, from 1pm, there will be a children’s carnival with a medieval village and indoor games. On Sunday 2 February at 12.30pm, a carnival dinner will be held at the Emines cultural centre. At 3pm, there will be a carnival procession. From 6pm, there will be a clash of children, ladies and titans, the lighting of the bonfire and a fireworks display. Information on the history of the Emines carnival is not given in the sources, but you can keep up to date via their website. 

For your information: Calendar of carnivals in Wallonia

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A Valentine’s Day and Vintage event 

Organised every year around Valentine’s Day, the Love Bugs Parade is much more than a classic car ride. It embodies the warm and festive spirit of those who love the famous ‘Cox’. The event brings together some 250 vehicles, from historic Beetles to modern Beetles, in a friendly, retro atmosphere. For this special edition, participants are invited to immerse themselves in the year 1965 by decorating their cars or dressing up in period costumes. Two dedicated areas on the Esplanade will showcase the creative efforts of participants and Beetles dating precisely from 1965. 

The programme

Enthusiasts will gather at 10am in front of the Autoworld museum, where registered owners will receive a rally nameplate, a roadbook and access to the museum and its temporary exhibition. Visitors can admire the vehicles on display, chat with the owners and enjoy the festive atmosphere. At 2pm sharp, the car parade will set off from the Esplanade to a joyous chorus of car horns. The route, which lasts approximately 1.5 hours, will take participants along some charming Brabant roads, offering a unique spectacle in motion for spectators and a memorable ride for drivers. Back at the Cinquantenaire around 3.30pm, participants meet up for a convivial snack offered by the organisers, an opportunity to swap anecdotes and extend the party. 

A party open to all 

The event is free and open to the public. Come and enjoy the atmosphere and admire these legendary vehicles. During the parade, be sure to visit Autoworld, a must-see museum for car enthusiasts. With its 250 historic vehicles and its temporary exhibition, it promises to delight young and old alike. 

A tribute to the Belgian VW Club 

Created in 1965, the Belgian VW Club is an institution for Volkswagen enthusiasts. It brings together enthusiasts from all walks of life, from owners of campers and oldtimers to fans of new technologies such as electro-mobility. Members enjoy a host of benefits, from taking part in exclusive competitions to invitations to exhibitions and rallies. This club is a real community where the passion for Volkswagen is lived and shared to the full. 

Registration and practical information: 👉 Registration Love Bugs Parade 2025

Only the first 250 registrations will be accepted, so don’t delay in reserving your place at this unique event. 

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