Belgium (BE)
Belgium is a small but densely populated federal kingdom at the crossroads of Western Europe, split across three linguistic regions — Dutch-speaking Flanders, French-speaking Wallonia, and bilingual Brussels — and famed for its medieval cities, world-class beer and chocolate, and its role as the de facto capital of the European Union.
Capital: Brussels
Region: Europe
Language: Dutch
Currency: EUR (€)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 72)
Emergency: 112
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Public Holidays 2026
15 holidays in Belgium. Some may vary by region.
January 2026
Thu 1
New Year's Day Public Holiday
Nieuwjaar / Jour de l'An
April 2026
Mon 6
Easter Monday Public Holiday
Paasmaandag / Lundi de Pâques
Date changes each year; shops and most businesses closed.
May 2026
Fri 1
Labour Day Public Holiday
Dag van de Arbeid / Fête du Travail
Trade union marches in major cities. All offices and most shops closed.
Thu 14
Ascension Day Public Holiday
Onze-Lieve-Heer-Hemelvaart / Ascension
Often a Thursday, creating a long weekend. Government offices closed.
Mon 25
Whit Monday Public Holiday
Pinkstermaandag / Lundi de Pentecôte
Many businesses close. Popular weekend for short breaks.
July 2026
Sat 11
Community Day (Flanders) Public Holiday
Vlaamse Feestdag
Official public holiday only in Flanders. Commemorates the Battle of the Golden Spurs (1302).
Tue 21
Belgian National Day Public Holiday
Nationale feestdag / Fête nationale
Celebrates the oath of the first Belgian king in 1831. Military parade in Brussels, fireworks nationwide.
August 2026
Sat 15
Assumption of Mary Public Holiday
Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Hemelvaart / Assomption
Major religious holiday. Most shops closed; popular summer getaway.
September 2026
Sun 27
Community Day (French Community) Public Holiday
Fête de la Communauté française
Official public holiday only in the French-speaking community.
November 2026
Sun 1
All Saints' Day Public Holiday
Allerheiligen / Toussaint
Belgians visit cemeteries to place chrysanthemums on graves. Almost all businesses closed.
Wed 11
Armistice Day Public Holiday
Wapenstilstand / Armistice
Commemorates the end of WWI, deeply significant in Belgium. Ceremonies at Menin Gate, Ypres.
Sun 15
Community Day (German-speaking Community) Public Holiday
Fest der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft
Official public holiday only in the German-speaking community (Eupen area).
December 2026
Sun 6
Saint Nicholas Bank Holiday
Sint-Niklaas / Saint-Nicolas
Not a public holiday, but culturally very important — especially in Flanders. Children receive gifts; celebrations in every school.
Fri 25
Christmas Day Public Holiday
Kerstmis / Noël
Family holiday; virtually everything closed. Christmas markets in Bruges, Ghent, Liège, and Brussels in December.
Thu 31
New Year's Eve Bank Holiday
Oudejaarsavond / Saint-Sylvestre
Not a public holiday. Many businesses close early. Fireworks in major cities at midnight.
Note: Some holidays in Belgium apply only to specific regions or states. Check local regulations for your area.