Numerous events are being staged in the centre of Brussels to mark the Belgian holiday on Sunday. There’s the military parade, a festival in Brussels Park, the Te Deum mass at the Roman Catholic cathedral as well as the evening concert and fireworks in the Jubel Park. Brussels police have already announced a series of measures affecting the traffic.
A number of areas will not be accessible to traffic including the Poelaertplein, the Regentschapsstraat, the Koningsstraat and the Koningsplein, the Paleizenplein, the Zavel (Sablon), the streets around Brussels Park, the Warandeberg, the Troonplein, the Belliardstraat, and the area of the Kruidtuinlaan/Rogierplein/Albert II-laan as well as the streets around Brussels Cathedral.
Metro runs later
"People are strongly advised to come to Brussels by train and to use the metro," police say. "Services will be increased and several lines will run later in the evening. There are special car parks in Kraainem, at Heizel, Delta and Roodebeek, connecting to the metro network."
The Paleizenplein – outside the royal palace - will be closed from 19 July in the morning until 22 July around 6pm, and the Poelaert exit of the Stefania Tunnel will be closed from the evening of 20 July until around 3pm on 22 July.
A Te Deum and parade to look forward to
"On the occasion of the Te Deum mass at Brussels Cathedral, the St Lazarus Tunnel will be closed from 6am, and between 7.30am and 11.30am, all traffic will be prohibited around Brussels Cathedral, on the Pachecolaan, the Berlaimontlaan, the Keizerinlaan, the Keizerslaan, the Loksumstraat, the Kardinaal Mercierstraat and Kantersteen, as well as the entrance to the St Lazarus Tunnel," police say. "From 8.30am, the Koningsstraat will be partially closed."
For the parade, the Park metro station will be closed from 9 a.m., and from noon to about midnight the Jubelpark Tunnel, the Wet Tunnel, the Reyers Tunnel leading from the E40 towards the city centre will close. No traffic will be possible on the Kruidtuinlaan/Rogierplein/Albert II-laan between these times.
Don't go to the Wetstraat for the parade!
Police also point out that the parade will not pass through the Wetstraat, due to works on the Schuman roundabout: "So there is no point in going there. The inspection of the troops by the king will take place in Kruidtuinlaan and the Koningsstraat. There is usually more space here than near the Paleizenplein. To go to the Festival in Brussels Park, people should use the Louiza metro station, and then go to the Park itself via the Poelaertplein."
Finally, the concert in the Jubel Park starts at 9pm, but the public is welcome in the park from 6pm. The fireworks start at 11pm.
"Be prepared in case of hot weather on July 21," the police add. "Take water with you, especially if you are attending the parade. Drink regularly, protect yourself from the sun, and take care of children and the elderly."