This month, on July 21, 2025, Belgium celebrates its national holiday. To mark the occasion, the Town Hall will bear the colors of the flag on its facade, and several celebrations will take place. But why has this special day become a public holiday? And what exactly are we celebrating? Bruxelles Secrète takes a look at the historical background to this year’s program!
To begin with, it all goes back to the Belgian Revolution of 1830, which itself led to the country’s independence. Indeed, it was in 1831 that Belgium opted for a constitutional monarchy following a national congress. The same year, 1831, saw the proclamation of Belgium’s first king, Leopold I.
Although he took the oath of office on the Place Royale in Brussels on July 21, 1831, it was not until 1890, under the reign of his successor (Leopold II), that the said day was proclaimed a national holiday. Initially, this would have been celebrated on September 27 (to commemorate the Journées de Septembre, from September 23 to 27, 1830, which marked the Belgian Revolution).
Very early on, the Belgian national holiday featured illuminations of public buildings in the colors of the black-yellow-red flag. Belgians also used to get together the day before, every July 20, for a lantern-lit ball. And a popular ball is still held every year on the Place du Jeu de Balles in Brussels on that day! And the fireworks, which punctuate the festivities every year, are often accompanied by an aerial parade.
But let’s take a closer look at this year’s festivities!
This year’s program: National Day 2025
Sunday, July 20, 2025
The National Ball
Bring your family and friends to the Place du Jeu de Balle for the Bal National at 7pm! It’s a party for all, and everyone’s invited to dance to the beats! On the program:
- Let’s Dance Ketjes. Upside Down – Warm-up
- Lou B.
- Slongs Dievanongs
- Two Dots
- Daddy K
- The Amazing
- Flowers
You can consult the full program here.
📍 Address: Place du Jeu de Balle
📆 Date: Sunday, July 20, 2025 from 7pm to 1am
🎟️ Free of charge
The concert at Bozar
On Sunday July 20 at 8pm, the traditional free National Day concert will open the celebrations at Bozar, in the presence of the King and Queen. Pianist Hannes Minnaar, Third Prizewinner of the 2010 Queen Elisabeth Competition, will perform Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major, accompanied by the Belgian National Orchestra conducted by Antony Hermus. The program will also include Smetana’s La Moldau and Kodály’s Danses de Galánta, for an evening combining virtuosity and emotion in the prestigious Salle Henry Le Bœuf. Reservations are free but essential, subject to availability.
📍 Address: Bozar: Rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels
📆 Date: Sunday, July 20, 2025 at 8pm
🎟️ Free of charge
Monday, July 21, 2025
Le Grand dîner moules-frites
The traditional giant moules-frites dinner awaits you on July 21 in the Place du Jeu de Balle, from 5pm to 10pm. Long tables will be set up to welcome all gourmets in a warm and popular atmosphere. This emblematic Belgian dish will be served to the sound of brass bands, majorettes and an accordion quintet. The evening will continue with music by the Lazy Jack trio and a great moment of collective singing by Bruxelles Zingt.
📍 Address: Place du Jeu de Balle
📆 Date: Monday, July 21, 2025 from 5pm to 10pm
Fête nationale with parade & fête au Parc
Sunday is indeed the big day, when Belgian National Day is celebrated with a military and civilian parade, as well as free activities organized between the Parc de Bruxelles and Place Poelaert. On the program:
- 10 a.m.-8 p.m.: Party in the Park: entertainment and shows for children, concerts, folk parades, security village, police village, etc.
- 4pm: Military and civilian parade
- 9pm: Concert at Cinquantenaire
- 11pm: Fireworks (at Cinquantenaire)
Check out all the details here!
Happy National Day to all!