Belgian Festivities

Always the first when it comes to having fun and never giving up on a good party, the Belgian people know how to stand out when it comes to festivities. And in Belgium, there's no shortage of occasions, so if you're unsure about the date of your next trip to the flat country, here is a selection of Belgian events you might decide to attend.

• Binche Carnival: Every year, from Shrove Sunday to Shrove Tuesday, the oldest Belgian folklore event takes place. Recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, the Binche Carnival is one of those festivities you should experience at least once in your life. During this event, you'll get to meet the Gilles, the famous characters of Belgian carnivals, who will dance and parade to the traditional sound of drums and bass drums. Carnival is a major event throughout Wallonia, but it is in Binche that it is most steeped in history.

• National Day: If you're in the country on 21 July, you won't be able to miss the Belgian National Day, originally established following the swearing-in of the first King of the Belgians, Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, in 1831. In the capital, Brussels, a whole day of festivities takes place, with military parades, political speeches and concerts by the biggest Belgian artists, while activities and fireworks are also planned throughout the country.

• Tomorrowland: One of the biggest electronic music festivals in the world is organised every year in Boom, in the Flemish region, during the last two weekends of July. If you love to party, don't miss this event which brings together hundreds of thousands of people every year and world-renowned artists such as the famous DJs Martin Garrix, David Guetta, John Newman and Calvin Harris. As well as being a music festival, Tomorrowland knows how to stand out with its atmosphere and its scenery, crafted down to the finest detail, which has earned the event numerous accolades.

• Belgian Grand Prix: One of the most legendary Grand Prix in motorsport takes place every year at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. While it hosts numerous competitions throughout the year, it is most often in July that it makes way for Formula 1 races. So if you're a thrill-seeker, this is an event not to be missed.

• Ducasse d'Ath: Dating back to the Middle Ages, this folk festival is like no other. Every year, on the fourth weekend of August, several iconic events take place featuring the Giants of Ath. Accompanied by a procession of musicians and dancers, Goliath and his fiancée parade through the streets of the town to the Church of Saint-Julien to celebrate their wedding. In the afternoon, a child from the village (David) faces the giant Goliath (by throwing a ball into an opening in the giant's costume) to save the town. The following day, the procession of Giants wanders through the streets once again. People from all four corners of Belgium make the trip to take part in the activities of this village festival, a perfect showcase of Belgian folklore.

• Saint Nicholas: On 6 December, Belgium celebrates the religious feast of Saint Nicholas. According to legend, Saint Nicholas saved orphans from a terrible fate. On the night before 6 December, Saint Nicholas comes to leave sweets and treats in the shoes of well-behaved children, and parades through the streets of various villages the following day. Nothing better to get into the Christmas spirit early.

• Christmas Markets: Throughout the month of December, you can stroll through Christmas markets organised all over the country. We recommend our favourites: those in Brussels, Ghent and Bruges.