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

The post Carnivals in Wallonia: a lively and colourful tradition appeared first on Brussels Express.

The Binche carnival might be the oldest carnival across Belgium. Although its origins are quite unclear, there were already some processions at the end of the XIV century according to the historians. The event has been recognised “Masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity” by UNESCO in 2003

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The event started last Sunday with a carnival procession and Brussels Express was there. It is still ongoing today and tomorrow, which is the most traditional day. The Gilles, the Peasants, the Pierrots and the Arlequins will indeed start celebrating the carnival from the dawn, before performing all the rites. Be careful, oranges will be thrown in the heart of the city (fences have been set up on the windows to keep them intact.

The post One day left to attend the Carnaval de Binche ! appeared first on Brussels Express.