Weekendo
opens Sat 5 December, 09:00
Merbes-le-Château Christmas market
Christmas market in Merbes-le-Château — Saturday 5 December 2026, 09:00–21:00. A local market: check the details with the organiser before you go.
closed now
Binche Carnival
Centre-ville de Binche (Grand-Place) · Binche, BelgiumSeason7 February – 9 February 2027
Todayclosed
Entryfree
Whereoutdoors
Free. Free town shuttle buses run from the surrounding villages on Sunday and Tuesday.
About the event
Binche's carnival is the best known in Belgium and is on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage. The three 'jours gras' build up step by step: on Sunday costumed groups, violas and drums fill the streets and a big parade crosses town in the afternoon, while Monday belongs to the children, with a friendship rondeau on the Grand-Place and fireworks by the station. On Shrove Tuesday around a thousand Gilles appear at dawn in wax masks, dancing to the beat of the drums. In the afternoon they return in towering ostrich-feather hats and throw oranges into the crowd, followed by a lantern parade and a final firework display. The town has confirmed the dates; the detailed 2027 programme will follow, and the times shown here come from the previous edition.
Season calendar
February 2027
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Tap a day to see the hours.
openclosedspecial hours
Dates and hours
Times are taken from the 2026 programme, as the 2027 one is not out yet. Sunday: parade from about 3.30 to 6 pm. Monday: from 9.30 am, rondeau around 4.30 pm, fireworks at 7 pm. Tuesday: from 7.45 am, afternoon parade from 3 pm, rondeau around 5.30 pm, lantern parade 8 pm, fireworks 9.30 pm. End times for Monday and Tuesday are estimates (start + 3 h); the festivities go on into the evening.
- Sun 7 February — 15:30–18:00. Carnival Sunday: big carnival parade
- Mon 8 February — 09:30–12:30. Shrove Monday: children's day, rondeau and evening fireworks
- Tue 9 February — 07:45–10:45. Shrove Tuesday: Gilles out at dawn, orange throwing in the afternoon
Combine with
Christmas markets nearby for the same trip.
opens Sat 5 December, 09:00
Lobbes Christmas market
Christmas market in Lobbes (rue de l'église 1) — from 11 December to 13 December 2026. Free entry. A local market: check the details with the organiser before you go.
opens Sat 12 December, 11:00
Fontaine-Valmont Christmas market
Christmas market in Fontaine-Valmont (Rue de l'Église - Église Saint-Martin et salle Fernand Nicodème) — Saturday 12 December 2026, 11:00–22:30. A local market: check the details with the organiser before you go.
Seneffe Christmas market
Christmas market in Seneffe (Place Penne d'Agenais 12) — from 11 December to 13 December 2026. Free entry. A local market: check the details with the organiser before you go.
Mons Cœur en Neige
The 22nd edition of Mons' Christmas festivities: a market on the Grand-Place, a food village on Marché aux Herbes and a covered rink on Place Léopold.
Charleroi Christmas Village
Chalets and party nights on Place de la Digue, plus an ice rink and family fun on Place Verte, in Charleroi's lower town.
Binche Carnival40 places nearby