Military and Civil Parade
Spectators line the streets near Bourse and Brussels Park to watch government dignitaries and troop formations pass.
~16:00
FestivalAtlas
Fête nationale de la Belgique / Nationale feestdag van België
Jul 21, 2026ConfirmedSource
Every July 21, Belgium marks its national day, the date in 1831 when its first king swore his oath and the young country was born. Brussels holds a military parade past the royal palace and ends the evening with fireworks, in a day of patriotic ceremony and free public festivities.
Day 1 · Jul 21
Spectators line the streets near Bourse and Brussels Park to watch government dignitaries and troop formations pass.
~16:00
Guests enjoy live Belgian music and entertainment on the lawn of the Cinquantenaire, ending with a grand fireworks display under the arch.
~21:00
Brussels, Belgium
Open in MapsBringing national flags
Respect national symbols and follow official guidelines during parades.
Participants should respect Belgian symbols and ceremonies. Wearing national colors is comm...
Crowd level: high.
Free events are available.
Reviewed mediaMAJOR NATIONAL FESTIVAL
Fête nationale de la Belgique / Nationale feestdag van België
Brussels, Belgium
Every July 21, Belgium marks its national day, the date in 1831 when its first king swore his oath and the young country was born. Brussels holds a military parade past the royal palace and ends the evening with fireworks, in a day of patriotic ceremony and free public festivities.
July 21 marks King Leopold I’s oath as Belgium’s first king in 1831. As the capital city, Brussels has hosted the main National Day parade and ceremonies since then. The celebrations blend official state pageantry (military and police parades) with folk culture (Civics’ ‘Fête au Parc’ concert) to affirm national identity in a communal atmosphere.
Spectators line the streets near Bourse and Brussels Park to watch government dignitaries and troop formations pass.
Guests enjoy live Belgian music and entertainment on the lawn of the Cinquantenaire, ending with a grand fireworks display under the arch.
first-timer tips
Bringing national flags
Respect national symbols and follow official guidelines during parades.
Participants should respect Belgian symbols and ceremonies. Wearing national colors is common.
Jul 21, 2026
Confirmed
Brussels
Brussels-Capital Region
Free public events available
High
Families welcome
Very High visitor welcome
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