Unfurl your black, yellow and red flags: Belgium gets ready for its national holiday celebrations

Mussels and fries, military and folklore parades, drone fireworks and Lady Gaga, these are just some of the highlights of Belgium’s national holiday festivities on 20 and 21 July.

The unveiling of the programme is designed to whet the appetite of residents and visitors alike. With the public holiday falling on a Sunday this year, the weekend is filled with colourful activities around the country. 

National ball

Kicking off literally the festivities in the capital is the traditional National Ball in the Marolles on 20 July. Staged in Place du Jeu de Balle, the free and highly convivial event boasts five cover bands. After the appearance of the Belgian monarchs at last year’s edition to mark the 10th anniversary of King Philippe’s reign, organisers have reached for the stars to stage an ‘’international ball’.

“We invited Lady Gaga, Freddie Mercury, Johnny Hallyday, Claude François, Annie Cordy,” revealed Frank Anthierens with a smile, before clarifying that cover groups and lookalikes were lined up to entertain crowds.

On the bill for the Saturday evening, are Rita (Annie Cordy), Otice (Lady Gaga), Johnny Dom (Johnny Halliday), Ludovic Tournay (Claude François), Mother Mercury (Queen), followed by DJ El Bacha and FC Bokken. Presenting duties for the evening fall to  Swa (Max Lamenace) and Berre (Thierry De Coster).

The audience is also expected to join in the revelry, with dance group Upside Down encouraging everyone to stretch their legs and tap their feet. A series of simple choreographies are designed to lead spectators in the collective dance.

Place du Jeu de Balle will be closed off for the concert. “The square will be open from 18.30. and the show will launch from 19.00 until 1.00,” explained Anthierens. “Access will be closed except via the entrances to rue Blaes and rue des Renards”.

National resto

The annual event is another popular date in the calendar for Brusselers. For the dinner on 21 July (17.00-21.00), mussels and fries reign as usual, but for the first time, there’s a new vegetarian option on the menu of vol-au-vent and fries. The dinner costs €29 pre-booked, €32 on site (reservation preferred). Organisers are expecting to feed around 2,000 people.  An annual solidarity action enables 250 disadvantaged residents from the Marolles quarter to attend for €1 per person.

Taking to the stage to entertain participants from 17.00 to 23.00 (free event) are the majorettes of the “Mignonettes et Mamygnonettes” troupe, the Juliens (Julien Clerc cover band) and the Pelouse Grass Band. A public karaoke session, ‘Bruxelles Zingt’ at 20.00 will round off the entertainment. Inspired by Vlaanderen Zingt, a local singing collective will step on stage and incite the audience to join in with a medley of French chanson and popular songs.

Royal park

It is not only the Brussels park that hosts free events on Sunday from 22.00 to 20.00. Folklore parades and other activities are staged throughout the area, from the Justice Palace to the Brussels Parliament via Rue de la Régence.

They include the Police Village in Place Poelaert and military stands in Place Royale. In the Sablon, a Security Village is set up by the Belgian interior ministry. In addition to soldiers, police and firefighters, there will also be stands by other federal government departments, all offering free trials and demonstrations. Many federal museums and institutions will be open for free during the day.

The activities in the park will be “enormous and grandiose”, confirmed Carine Verstraeten of Brussels Promotion. From 18.30, King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, Princess Astrid and Prince Lorenz will take a turn in the park.

Meanwhile, the traditional civil and military parade begins at 16.00 in front of the royal palace. A highlight of the day, it sees processions march in front of the royal delegation, while a military flypast soars over the royal park and palace.

Cinquantenaire park

Following record crowds at least year’s event, it is recommended to arrive early for the concert and firework display at 21.00 in Cinquantenaire park on 21 July.

While the musical line-up has yet to be announced, organisers have confirmed that a laser and drone show will light up the skies above the park. “Spectators will therefore be able to spread out on the Avenue de Tervuren side of the park, on the other side of the arcades,” explained Verstraeten.

Caught on camera

While the National Ball will be broadcast live on Brussels TV station BX1, with Bruzz screening highlights on Sunday. The popular event is also the subject of a documentary. Organisers, local residents, traders and performers were filmed for over a year for Jeux de Bal, directed by Laurent Scheid, which will be broadcast on 20 July at 22:10 on La Une (RTBF).

Photos: © National Day ©visit.brussels - Eric Danhier