Belgium might looks like a small country in the West Europe with just 11.7 million people. But, it certainly punches above its weight when it comes to the cultural events and festivals in Belgium 2025. In fact, Belgium will host a 23+ festivals from August to December. From festivals that are based on the centuries-old folklore to the magical Christmas markets – Belgium has it all!
But, which famous festivals should you actually attend in Belgium?
In this guide, we will explore the best festival experience that must be on your travel bucket list. We will also look at how you can easily travel to the Belgium from UK with a tourist Schengen visa and tips to get it quickly. So, read on to prepare yourself for an exciting second half of 2025 in the Belgium!
Quick Summary – Belgium is set to host close to 23 exciting festivals from the August to the December 2025. These range from the iconic Pukkelpop music festival to the magical Christmas markets across the Belgium. UK travelers have the various transportation options to seamlessly travel from the UK to the Belgium and attend these fascinating festivals!
| Festival Name | Dates | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pukkelpop | 14–17 August 2025 | Hasselt | Massive multi-genre music festival with the international acts and the diverse crowd. |
| La Ducasse (Procession of Giants) | 22 August–8 September 2025 | Ath | UNESCO-listed folklore festival, famous for its giant puppets and vibrant parades. |
| Fête de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles | 27 September 2025 | Brussels & Wallonia | Celebrates French-speaking Belgian culture with free concerts, activities, and fireworks. |
| Ghent Film Festival | 8–19 October 2025 | Ghent | Prestigious international film festival showcasing the latest in world cinema. |
| Billies Craft Beer Fest | 7–8 November 2025 | Antwerp | Major international craft beer festival with brewers from 20+ countries. |
| Winter Wonders (Plaisirs d’Hiver / Winterpret) | 28 Nov 2025 – 4 Jan 2026 | Brussels | Belgium’s largest winter festival and Christmas market, attracting over 4 million visitors. |
| Christmas Markets Across Belgium | Late Nov–Dec 2025 | Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, Liège, Leuven, and others | Charming markets with regional specialities, crafts, skating rinks, and holiday events. |
| Christmas Eve | 24 December | Nationwide | Midnight mass in the churches, gifts exchange, family dinners and community celebrations across the Belgium. |
Taking place from 14-17 August in the Hasselt, Belgium, Pukkelpop draws huge crowds each year. With the multi-genre lineup, 8 themed stages, camping culture and the international appeal, Pukkelpop has something for everyone.
What to expect in 2025? A delightful lineup of the top, trending and the classic acts. Also, enjoy a wide range of the on-site food stalls, art installations and the interactive experiences. All you need is a Belgium visa for Pukkelpop to get started!
Tickets – Full Festival Pass (€235–€245) & Day Tickets (€120–€130)
In case you didn’t know – Pukkelpop 2025 in Belgium is expected to welcome 200,000+ people across 4 days!
The La Ducasse d’Ath or the “Procession of Giants” is a folkloric festival that dates back to many centuries. With main events between 22-25 August 2025 and additional experiences extended till 8 September, this is one event in the Belgium you should not miss. Witness the giant figures (4 metres tall) parade through the streets. Each one represents the biblical, historical or the folkloric characters. The most iconic giants are the Goliath and David which you can check out in one of the most popular Belgium festivals in Summer!
What to Expect in 2025? Opening night with burning of the Goliath’s ceremonial trousers followed by symbolic battle between David & Goliath. Apart from these, check out the main parade featuring 7 giant effigies and the 8 themed floats along with 100s of the participants.
Tickets – Free public festival with access to general areas. If you want the reserved seats, then buy the ticket locally (€10-€15)
Interesting Fact – The festival gained the UNESCO Intangible Heritage Status in the year 2008!
This festival celebrates the French speaking community’s cultural identity in the Wallonia and Brussels’ region. It is actually a state holiday that will take place on 27 September 2025. It essentially commemorates the victory of the Belgian patriots in the year 1830!
What to Expect? Grab the chance to enjoy the free concerts, dance, street performances and the art workshops. Additionally, the festival also hosts the grand open air concerts on the Brussels’ Place des Palais. Munch on tasty treats at food stands serving the Belgian fries, crêpes and more. Apart from this, you can also check out the Belgium tourist attractions during festivals!
Tickets – All the main activities are free and public. However, some of the exhibitions/venues may require the advanced booking.
Did you know? About 40,000 – 50,000 people attend the festival across Brussels and Wallonia each year.
Established in the year 1974, this Ghent Festival is one of the most popular international film festivals in the Belgium. It is renowned for celebrating the global films as well as the emerging Flemish Talent. The festival will take place from 7th to 8th October 2025 and features a wide range of screenings, award shows and more!
What to Expect? Make sure to check out the Gala Screenings, the World and the European premieres. Additionally, the festival will also have the iconic “World Soundtrack Awards” for the Film Music Composers. Apart from this, you can relish delicious food at the pop-up bars and restaurants across the old town of Ghent. Then, there is the live orchestra film scores and the special concerts which will take your breath away!
Tickets – You can book options like the single tickets (€8–€12) and the Festival Passes (€50–€150).
Have you heard? The festival will celebrate its 52nd edition in 2025 and will expand its program for the film students.
With its first edition in 2002, the Winter Wonders of Brussels is one of the most celebrated winter Festivals in Belgium. The festival draws 2.5 million visitors annually with its spectacular lights, market stalls and the festival attractions. The festival also hosts performances by the choirs, folk musicians and the popular DJs. Try to attend the festival during the weekdays to avoid the crowds and stay back to gaze at the nighttime illuminations for a magical experience!
What to Expect? From the ice-skating rinks to the giant ferris wheel and the vintage carousel, the Winter Wonders of Brussels has something for everyone. Do not miss out on the exciting Christmas Parade or the lip-smacking mulled wine, tartiflette and other delicious foods.
Tickets – The markets and the light shows are free. However, for the attractions like Ice Rink or Ferris wheel, you need to get the ticket: €5–€12 per ride/session.
Check this out – The Winter Wonders in Brussels will complete 23 years and house a whopping 200 chalets selling various things!
Belgium kickstarts its Christmas celebrations by hosting the Christmas markets across major locations. You will find the most popular ones in the Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, Liege and other locations. Most of the markets start in the end of November and are most active during the December. These markets are quite famous for their fairytale ambience, the medieval settings and the cozy food chalets. If you are planning to visit Belgium in winter, then make sure to add the Christmas Markets to your travel itinerary!
What to Expect? The mesmerizing festive lighting sets the mood for the markets. Explore the handmade crafts in the chalets while munching on delicious treats like the Glühwein, gingerbread and the Belgian chocolates. Apart from this, you can also enjoy the Carol singing and the festive parades!
Tickets – Enjoy free entry into the markets. You only need to pay if you want to enjoy experiences like the skating, amusements and certain concerts.
You won’t believe this, but – Christmas markets in Belgium may attract anywhere between 5 million to 6+ million visitors in 2025!
Celebrated across the Belgium, Christmas Eve on 24th December 2025 is a wonderful event that you not skip. Belgians celebrate this event with the elaborate, multi-course dinners and the festive drinks. One major attraction of the day is the midnight mass that takes place in many catholic churches across Belgium. Apart from this, you can stay back to celebrate the Belgium Christmas 2025 as well!
What to Expect? Cathedrals and churches across the Belgium host the midnight mass which is a must-visit experience. Apart from this, you will find many people exchanging the small gifts. Then, there are the delicious foods such as the turkey, roast goose and other delights that you can indulge in.
Tickets – The church services are free and open to all!
You might find this interesting – In the recent years, nearly 600,000 Belgians attended the Christmas Mass!
Amazed by the wonderful festivals that Belgium has in store for you?
Simply grab a Belgium visa from UK to explore these exciting celebrations with your loved ones!
| Mode | Route/Details | Travel Time | Typical Cost* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train | Eurostar London St Pancras → Brussels Midi | ~3h 20m | £85–£220 return | Enjoy the frequent services, and travel from one city center in the UK to the another city center in the Belgium |
| Flight | Major UK airports → Brussels/Charleroi/Antwerp | ~1h 10m | £100–£200+^ | Choose from the multiple airlines to enjoy the quick travel but you might have to go through the airport transfers |
| Bus | London Victoria/other cities → Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent | 7–9h | £30–£90 return | Travelling via bus is quite Budget-friendly but it is less frequent |
| Car/Eurotunnel | Drive to Folkestone → Shuttle to Calais → Belgium | ~4h+ | Varies | You will need to book the car but you can enjoy the flexible travel |
| Ferry | Hull/Harwich/Dover → Zeebrugge/Ostend | ~12h | Varies | Travelling via the ferry is good for those bringing the car |
Belgium is quite short trip from the London via air and is ideal for the festival travel from August to December. The top London airports with major departures are:
On the other hand, the primary Belgian airports for the festivals are:
Here are the recommended airlines and the direct flight options from London to Belgium:
| Airline | From London Airports | To Belgium | Flight Time | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brussels Airlines | LHR, LCY | BRU | ~1h 10m | Multiple daily direct |
| British Airways | LHR, LCY, LGW | BRU | ~1h 10m | Multiple daily direct |
| Ryanair | STN, LTN | CRL, BRU | ~1h 15m | Frequent budget flights |
| EasyJet | LGW, LTN, STN | BRU, ANR | ~1h 15m | Daily direct/1-stop flights |
| Wizz Air | LTN | CRL, ANR | ~1h 20m+ | Indirect options possible |
From the electrifying Pukkelpop to the magical charm of the winter wonders, the festivals in Belgium 2025 have something for every type of the traveler . In addition to this, you get the chance to experience the local culture, food and interact with the wonderful people.
Now, all that remains for you to do is secure a visa for Belgium festivals!
Tried to get one but failed to secure an appointment?
We are ready to ensure that you get your appointment very quickly. Simply fill an online application and our experts will schedule a fast-track appointment for you!
Confused about the visa process or unable to understand about the document requirements? Simply call our visa specialists who are available round the clock to answer your questions!
Yes, the small size of Belgium coupled with the excellent transport facilities means, you can easily take part in a wide range of festivals of the Belgium in one trip. However, make sure that you are staying in the country as per the validity period of your Belgium visa.
Most of the Christmas markets in Belgium start during the last week of the November 2025. Then, they run for the entire December and close in the first or the second week of January.
First check the official websites and the tourism portals of the Belgium for the accurate dates, the ticket options and updates about the schedule. Major music festivals and the city events release the detailed lineups months ahead. So, just plan early to not miss out on anything!
The Pukkelpop is undoubtedly one of the biggest music festivals of the Belgium in 2025. This festival will take place in August and welcomes tourists from all around the world for a riveting festival experience!
Yes, the winter wonders of the Brussels is the perfect family-friendly festival that you should not miss out on. It has numerous chalets, delicious food, family-friendly activities and much more!
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