Tilff Laetare Carnival

Founded in 1952 by the Porais Tilffois, Tilff's Laetare carnival is one of the most popular in the Ourthe valley, south of Liège. On Friday the carnival prince or princess is enthroned at Château Brunsode, followed by a cramignon dance around the bonfire and an evening in the marquee. Saturday brings a children's ball in the afternoon and the 'Soirée des intrigues', a free costume ball, on the square in Tilff. On Sunday music starts on the square at 1.30 pm; at 2 pm the parade sets off along Avenue des Ardennes, Avenue Laboulle and the quays to Place du Roi Albert, where Porais and giants dance the rondeau and surprise Porais come down from scaffolding set up in front of the church. At 7.30 pm the Macrâle, the witch of winter, is burned, and the party carries on in the marquee until midnight.