Laeken Festival of Light – lantern parade

For more than ten years, the Laeken district in the north of Brussels has marked the longest night of the year with a community parade. Young and old walk with lanterns to the beat of drums between the forecourt of Our Lady of Laeken church and Place Émile Bockstael. Singing, dancing and small performances go along with the procession. The event is run by the non-profit PICOL together with the Maison de la Création and other local associations. A week earlier, on the afternoon of Wednesday 9 December, a workshop lets you make your own lantern. Tip: come by tram or metro (Bockstael stop) and bring a lantern, as the whole idea is that everyone joins in.