How to celebrate the Belgian National holiday in Brussels on 20 and 21 July

The festivities kick off in the Marollen District with the 23rd edition of the Bal National on the Vossenplein on the evening of Monday 20 July. There is a free concert with artists including Belle Pérez, DJ Crazy Sir-G, FC Bokken, Just Vox, Upside Down and Alec Mansion & Thom Dewatt.

The actual public holiday traditionally begins on Tuesday morning, 21 July, with the Te Deum service at the St Michael’s and St Gudula’s Cathedral. Archbishop Luc Terlinden will lead the thanksgiving service in the presence of King Filip, Queen Mathilde and their children.

Party in the Warande Park

From 10.00 AM to 08.00 PM, the city festival ‘Party in the Warande’ takes place outside the Federal Parliament, featuring sports activities and live music. Various government departments will be showcasing their work to the public. For example, the police will be setting up their own village on the Poelaert Square, and the army will be present on the Koningsplein.

In the Zavel district, team up with the European Village or the Veterans’ Association and learn more about Brussels local transport company MIVB, whilst federal government departments will be on display in the Regentschapstraat. At the same time, the Warande Park is the venue for the National Sports Day for children.

On the national holiday, anyone interested in politics can visit the Chamber of Representatives, the Senate and the Court of Auditors free of charge. Arts centre Bozar, the Musical Instruments Museum and the Royal Museums of Fine Arts are also open.

At the Grote Zavel, the MIVB and the Tram Museum are celebrating the centenary of the Brussels bus with an exhibition featuring six generations of historic buses. The first thousand visitors will receive two free tickets to the Tram Museum.

Drones at the parade

The national holiday’s military and civilian parade starts at 4 pm when it leaves the Paleizenplein. This year, the Ministry of Defence is focusing on recently acquired drones. The new American F-35 fighter jets will also be taking part in the fly-past for the first time.

Civil Protection officers are taking part with a lifeboat to commemorate the floods of five years ago. A Ukrainian detachment will also be marching in the parade for the first time.

Resto National

At midday, the 15th edition of Resto National is held on the Vossenplein. Over 2,000 meals will be served during this mussel festival. This year, Belgian mussels from Nieuwpoort will be on offer for the first time. There is also an option featuring meatballs in tomato sauce with chips. Meanwhile, a local brass band, Rita & Les Martins and the Order of the Brussels Moestasje, an association celebrating the Belgian moustache, will be providing the entertainment.

From 9 pm, the ‘Belgian Party’ kicks off in the Jubel Park with performances by Natalia, Tourist LeMC, MAKSIM and Kaat Van Stralen. Hamza, Camille Yembe, Pierre de Maere and TeddyBear will also be performing.

At around 11 pm, a laser and drone show featuring 350 drones will begin, synchronised with the national fireworks display, which will last until 11.20 pm. Afterwards, Milk Inc. (celebrating their 30th anniversary), Netsky and the DJ duo Omdat Het Kan & Average Rob will bring the day’s celebrations to a close.

Public transport and parking

The Brussels transit company MIVB is increasing services during the extended weekend. On the occasion of the Bal National, Noctis night buses will run exceptionally on Monday night.

Brussels police have announced that parking and driving will be prohibited on several main thoroughfares both on Monday and Tuesday.