The capital celebrates Belgium’s national day – in pictures

National holiday celebrations kicked off at the popular Bal National in Place du Jeu de Balle on the eve of the big day with a record attendance of 19,000 people.

Beer vendors, frites stands and live music made for a festival-like atmosphere with artists such as Belle Perez, Just Vox, Alec Mansion & Thom Dewatt and DJ Crazy Sir-G performing for the crowds.

They were followed by Party in the Park festivities in Brussels Park on 21 July that offered visitors a range of activities and attractions. For children, bouncy castles and karate workshops made for hours of fun, while refreshment stands, Belgian draft horses and concerts at the band stand made for some good all-round cultural entertainment.

At midday, a procession of giants and dragons, the folkloric puppets inscribed on the list of Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage, wended their way along Rue de la Régence. Accompanied by a marching band, the parade stretched all the way to the Palais de Justice where the Belgian flag hung proudly.

Members of the Order of the Brussels Mustache (Orde Van De Brusselse Moestasje) posed for a photograph in Brussels Park.

At 15.00, the folklore performance group known as Les Majorets de Maransart, a popular male baton-twirling troupe from Lasne, Belgium, made their way through the Place Royale.

In anticipation of the military procession at 16.00, crowds gathered on the Rue Ducale, Rue de la Loi and Rue Royale. First came the cavalry, followed by the marines, cadets, veterans and a detachment from Ukraine. They paraded in front of the Belgian royal family and political dignitaries. It was a double celebration for both the Airforce and the Navy, each marking their 80th anniversaries. The ensuing aerial show featured the Ministry of Defence’s newly acquired drone technology, as well as F-35 fighter jets.

Evening celebrations moved to Cinquantenaire Park for a ‘Belgian Party’ where an impressive line-up of artists included Natalia, MAKSIM and Camille Yembe. Pierre de Maere performed his hit song Un jour je marierai un ange and Gen-Z-favourite Hamza lifted the crowd with Fade Up.

The dance music continued with a performance by Netsky, accompanied by an impressive drone show which paid tribute to several of Belgium’s sporting figures, including cyclists Wout Van Aert and Lotte Kopecky. During the set, Netsky brought out British singer Becky Hill and Belgian DJ Lost Frequencies for the final songs.

The ceremony concluded with a frenzy of fireworks, bringing the event to a close before a crowd of more 100,000 people, including the Belgian Royal Family.

Photos: ©Anni Rees/The Bulletin