Events
The events highlighted below comprise the most current popular festivals, processions and happenings that will be taking place in Flanders in the next few months. For a general quick reference guide, the "What's On" pdf provides additional dates at a quick glance. Simply click here to download the pdf now.
For more comprehensive information about top, yearly events select Events 2008 and for Future Events in 2009 and beyond select the menu to the left, where you can also find more details on outstanding exhibitions in Flanders.
If you still don't find specific dates of an event that you are looking for then please contact trade@visitflanders.co.uk
August
Bruges Zand Fests
6 July, 3 August & 28 September 2008
Koning Albertpark & ‘t Zand
Held three times throughout the summer, visitors can enjoy perusing one of the largest flea markets in Flanders. Contact: 0032 50 34 17 36
6 July, 3 August & 28 September 2008
Koning Albertpark & ‘t Zand
Held three times throughout the summer, visitors can enjoy perusing one of the largest flea markets in Flanders. Contact: 0032 50 34 17 36
Bruges Procession of the Holy Blood
10 August 2008
10 August 2008
Held on Ascension Day since 1970, this procession illustrates scenes from the Old and New Testaments in a style that recalls Burgundian rule in the fifteenth century. It also tells of how the relic of the Holy Blood came to Bruges through the mediation of crusader Knight Diederik of Alsace and was venerated here. Future dates: 21 May 2009 and 13 May 2010. More information about this procession can be found at www.holyblood.com and www.brugge.be
Brussels Flower Carpet
14 to 17 August 2008
A million begonias in one carpet…. The famous Flower Carpet gracing the middle of the Grote Markt/Grand-Place in Brussels measures a staggering 300m2! The design is different each time it is created by market gardeners from Ghent, who are world famous for their speciality, the begonia. The colourful carpet can best be admired from the balcony of the Town Hall, which is open to the public for the occasion during 09.00 and 11.00 am. Tickets for this panoramic visit cost €3.00. www.brusselsinternational.be, www.flowercarpet.be
14 to 17 August 2008
A million begonias in one carpet…. The famous Flower Carpet gracing the middle of the Grote Markt/Grand-Place in Brussels measures a staggering 300m2! The design is different each time it is created by market gardeners from Ghent, who are world famous for their speciality, the begonia. The colourful carpet can best be admired from the balcony of the Town Hall, which is open to the public for the occasion during 09.00 and 11.00 am. Tickets for this panoramic visit cost €3.00. www.brusselsinternational.be, www.flowercarpet.be
Bruges Lace Days
15 to 17 August 2008
Bruges, Walplein & Beguinage quarters
Every year Bruges has an event called the Bruges Lace Days. In 2008 this event will be taking place for the 28th time. During this event you can see a number of lace groups of the Bruges Lace Centre and there will also be groups present from abroad. Contact: 0032 50 33 00 72, info@kantcentrum.com
www.kantcentrum.com, www.museabrugge.be
15 to 17 August 2008
Bruges, Walplein & Beguinage quarters
Every year Bruges has an event called the Bruges Lace Days. In 2008 this event will be taking place for the 28th time. During this event you can see a number of lace groups of the Bruges Lace Centre and there will also be groups present from abroad. Contact: 0032 50 33 00 72, info@kantcentrum.com
www.kantcentrum.com, www.museabrugge.be
Bruges Canal Festival 2008
15, 16, 18, 20 and 23 August 2008
Bruges, various locations
The triennial Canal Festival recreates the history of the city by means of eight spectacles along the magically lit Canals and on the Burg in the heart of Bruges. Like the previous editions all activities will start at 21.00. Tickets are already available and cost €13.50 (if you purchase them before 31 July) or €15 (if you purchase them after 31 July).
Contact: 0032 70 22 50 05
15, 16, 18, 20 and 23 August 2008
Bruges, various locations
The triennial Canal Festival recreates the history of the city by means of eight spectacles along the magically lit Canals and on the Burg in the heart of Bruges. Like the previous editions all activities will start at 21.00. Tickets are already available and cost €13.50 (if you purchase them before 31 July) or €15 (if you purchase them after 31 July).
Contact: 0032 70 22 50 05
Antwerp Taste Festival
22 to 24 August 2008
Antwerp, Groenplaats
In 2007 the first edition of this Festival was an overwhelming success; in fact it turned out to be the most popular culinary festival of Belgium last year. About 20 restaurant holders/caterers have their own little booth on the Groenplaats where visitors can buy several of their specialities. There is no entrance fee for this festival, all that is required is to purchase some tickets to exchange for the food. A ticket cost €1.80 and most of the dishes cost only 1 or 2 tickets per dish. A few more fancy restaurants offer large meals for a maximum of 7 tickets per dish. A great way to sample some Flemish fare. Stalls open on Friday 22 August at 16.00 until 00.00, Saturday & Sunday 12.00 until 00.00. Contact: 0032 497 41 84 58 or office@aproeft.be
22 to 24 August 2008
Antwerp, Groenplaats
In 2007 the first edition of this Festival was an overwhelming success; in fact it turned out to be the most popular culinary festival of Belgium last year. About 20 restaurant holders/caterers have their own little booth on the Groenplaats where visitors can buy several of their specialities. There is no entrance fee for this festival, all that is required is to purchase some tickets to exchange for the food. A ticket cost €1.80 and most of the dishes cost only 1 or 2 tickets per dish. A few more fancy restaurants offer large meals for a maximum of 7 tickets per dish. A great way to sample some Flemish fare. Stalls open on Friday 22 August at 16.00 until 00.00, Saturday & Sunday 12.00 until 00.00. Contact: 0032 497 41 84 58 or office@aproeft.be
September
Poperinge Hop Parade
19 to 21 September 2008
As the hop-growing centre of Flanders, Poperinge organizes a Hop Parade every three years. This is a unique event in which 65 groups, 1,400 extras and 12 floats take part. The Hop Parade tells the history of the development of the hop industry, provides an overview of the various activities in the field through the four seasons and includes a presentation of the main hop-producing countries in the world. To tie in with the parade, Poperinge Hop Museum will be open throughout the day. You also have the chance to visit a hop company, where you can see a huge picking machine in action. There are also shows, a beer festival in the festival marquee and a stunning firework display to round it all off. For more details about this event call 0032 57 34 66 76.
19 to 21 September 2008
As the hop-growing centre of Flanders, Poperinge organizes a Hop Parade every three years. This is a unique event in which 65 groups, 1,400 extras and 12 floats take part. The Hop Parade tells the history of the development of the hop industry, provides an overview of the various activities in the field through the four seasons and includes a presentation of the main hop-producing countries in the world. To tie in with the parade, Poperinge Hop Museum will be open throughout the day. You also have the chance to visit a hop company, where you can see a huge picking machine in action. There are also shows, a beer festival in the festival marquee and a stunning firework display to round it all off. For more details about this event call 0032 57 34 66 76.
Ghent Floralies Procession
21 September 2008
In 2008 the non-profit Gentse Floraliën, which organizes the five-yearly Floralies flower show in Ghent, will be two-hundred years old. This landmark will be feted with a procession through the streets of Ghent’s historic centre. The theme of the procession will be six centuries of ornamental plant cultivation in Flanders and in particular the story of two hundred years of Floralies. More than twenty floats, 1,200 dancing and music-making extras and hundreds of horsemen will provide a magnificent spectacle which is likely to attract hundreds of thousands of spectators. If you are interested in a seat on one of the tribunes please contact 0032 9 233 77 88. Tickets cost €18 per person. www.floralien.be
21 September 2008
In 2008 the non-profit Gentse Floraliën, which organizes the five-yearly Floralies flower show in Ghent, will be two-hundred years old. This landmark will be feted with a procession through the streets of Ghent’s historic centre. The theme of the procession will be six centuries of ornamental plant cultivation in Flanders and in particular the story of two hundred years of Floralies. More than twenty floats, 1,200 dancing and music-making extras and hundreds of horsemen will provide a magnificent spectacle which is likely to attract hundreds of thousands of spectators. If you are interested in a seat on one of the tribunes please contact 0032 9 233 77 88. Tickets cost €18 per person. www.floralien.be
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