No price stated; the children's ball is free.
Heist, the part of Knokke-Heist that has kept its fishing-village character, celebrates carnival with customs of its own. Saturday starts with the installation of the prince and a free children's ball in the tent on the De Bolle square. On Sunday, after the fishermen's mass, the grand parade sets off from Stationsplein, and spectators are welcome to dress up too. Monday brings sprats in the cafés and the Mermaid Ball, while on Tuesday the golden babelutte is thrown and the doll is burned ahead of the illuminated evening parade. Other traditions include a masked football match between fishermen and 'plakkers', played since 1928, and a walk past mini floats in shop windows billed as the smallest parade in the country.
Tap a day to see the hours.
openclosedspecial hours
Saturday from noon; Sunday parade at 2 pm (Knokkestraat around 2.50 pm); Monday from 4 pm; Tuesday babelutte throw 6.30 pm, doll burning 6.45 pm and illuminated parade 7 pm. Only Tuesday's times are confirmed for 2027; the rest follow the usual pattern. End times are not published and are estimates (start + 3 h).
Christmas markets nearby for the same trip.
Christmas market in Blankenberge — from 27 November to 3 January 2027. A covered ice rink, winter bar, a Christmas market of mini-chalets and a mulled-wine tower on the Koning Leopold III-plein, near the seafront and the station.
Christmas market in Oostkerke — 13 December 2026. Food and drink stands and local crafts (ceramics, jewellery) in the village of Oostkerke, with Christmas concerts in the church at 14:30, 15:30 and 16:30.
Two Christmas markets in the heart of Bruges, on the Markt and Simon Stevinplein, part of the Wintergloed festival, with an ice rink in King Albert I Park.
Christmas market in Oostende — from 27 November to 3 January 2027. Free entry. Chalets, winter bars, a carousel and a kiosk on the Wapenplein; a covered 600 m² ice rink on the Sint-Petrus-en-Paulusplein (€10 with skates).
Christmas market in Eeklo — from 18 December to 20 December 2026. A Christmas weekend on the Markt with stalls run by local associations and shops.
Christmas market in Torhout — from 11 December to 13 December 2026. Free entry. Wooden chalets on the Markt run by youth groups, clubs and craftspeople; a wheelchair-accessible ice rink from 4 December to 3 January.
Weekendo
