Belgium 2026 date of the birthday festival and the scholastic holiday
Federal Public Holidays (applicable nationwide)
- Thursday, January 1, 2026 Capodanno.
- Monday, April 13, 2026 Easter Monday – The day after Easter Sunday.
- Friday, May 1, 2026 : Labor Day.
- Thursday, May 21, 2026 : Ascension – Movable feast (40 days after Easter).
- Monday, June 1, 2026 Whit Monday – Movable feast (50 days after Easter).
- Tuesday, July 21, 2026 National Day – Celebration of Belgian independence.
- Saturday, August 15, 2026 Assumption – Note: Falling on a Saturday, it is not postponed to Monday in the private sector.
- Sunday, November 1, 2026 All Saints’ Day – Note: Falling on a Sunday, the practical impact is limited.
- Wednesday, November 11, 2026 : Armistice Day – Commemoration of the end of the First World War.
- Friday, December 25, 2026 : Christmas.
Regional Public Holidays (applicable only in the regions indicated)
- Monday, July 27, 2026 Flemish Community Day – Observed in Flemish region and by the Dutch-speaking institutions of Brussels-Capital.
- Thursday, November 11, 2026 Armistice Day (regionally) – Observed specifically by the Brussels-Capital Region (It’s also a federal day for everyone).
- Sunday, November 15, 2026 King’s Feast – Observed in Flemish region. Note: It’s a Sunday.
- Monday, November 15, 2026 German-speaking Community Day – Observed only in the municipalities of the German-speaking community from Belgium.
- Wednesday, September 27, 2026 : French Community Day – Observed in Walloon region and by the Francophone institutions of Brussels-Capital.
School Holiday Periods (unified calendar for the whole country)
- From Monday, February 23rd to Sunday, March 1st, 2026 Carnival holidays – Duration of one week.
- From Monday, April 6th to Sunday, April 19th, 2026 Easter holidays – Duration of two weeks.
- From 1 month to Friday 31 August 2026 : Vacanze estive – The “big vacanza”. Period of high altitude number of tourists.
- From Monday, November 2nd to Sunday, November 8th, 2026 All Saints’ Day holidays – Duration of one week.
- From Monday, December 21, 2026 to Sunday, January 3, 2027 : Winter holidays (Christmas) – Duration of two weeks, including New Year.
Here is the complete guide to public holidays, long weekends and school holidays in Belgium for 2026. The country has a complex federal structure, where the status (federal or regional) and application of public holidays depends on your exact location.
📅 Official Public Holidays in Belgium 2026
Belgium recognizes 10 legal public holidays at the federal level. Important If a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is generally not not postponed the following Monday in the private sector (unlike the FranceThe public sector may have different rules.
| Date | Day | Name (FR/NL) | Status | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu. Jan. 1st | THURSDAY | New Year / Nieuwjaar | Federal | Public holiday throughout the country. |
| Mon. 13 Apr. | Monday | Easter Monday / Paasmaandag | Federal | Movable date. Day after Easter (Sun. 12 Apr.). |
| Fri. May 1st | Friday | Labor Day / Workday | Federal | Public holiday throughout the country. |
| Thu. May 21 | THURSDAY | Ascent / Hemelvaart | Federal | Movable feast (40 days after Easter). |
| Mon. June 1st | Monday | Whit Monday / Pinkstermaandag | Federal | Movable feast (50 days after Easter). |
| Tue. July 21 | Tuesday | National Day National Day | Federal | July 21 (Independence 1831). |
| Sat. August 15 | SATURDAY | Assumption / Eleven-Love-Woman Hemelvaart | Federal | Public holiday throughout the country. |
| Sun. Nov. 1st | Sunday | All Saints’ Day / Allerheiligen | Federal | Because it falls on a Sunday, the impact is limited. |
| Wed. Nov. 11 | Wednesday | Armistice Day / Wapenstilstand | Federal | Commemoration of 1918. |
| Fri. Dec. 25 | Friday | Christmas / Kerstmis | Federal | Public holiday throughout the country. |
Crucial points:
- No postponement of the weekend : Unlike public holidays in FranceIf a public holiday falls on a weekend (such as August 15 or November 1 in 2026), private sector employees “lose” it (unless there is a more favorable collective agreement).
- Regional holidays In addition to this federal list, there are specific public holidays for each language region (see next section).
🏛️ Regional Public Holidays 2026
These days are only unemployed in their respective regionYour place of work or residence determines whether they apply.
| Date | Day | Name (FR/NL) | Region(s) concerned | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon. 27 Jul. | Monday | Flemish Community Day / Feestdag van de Flemish Gemeenschap | Flemish region & Brussels-Capital (Dutch-speaking institutions) | Commemorates the Battle of the Golden Spurs (1302). |
| Thu. Nov. 11 | THURSDAY | Armistice Day / Wapenstilstand | Region of Brussels-Capital | It is both a federal holiday (for everyone) and a specific day for the Brussels Region. |
| Sun. Nov. 15 | Sunday | King’s Day / Koningsfeest | Flemish region | King’s Day (not to be confused with National Day). Falling on a Sunday, the impact is minimal. |
| Mon. Nov. 15 | Monday | German-speaking Community Day / Feiertag of the German Gemeinschaft | German-speaking region | Only in the municipalities of the German-speaking Community. |
| Wed. Sept. 27 | Wednesday | French Community Day / Feestdag van de Franse Gemeenschap | Walloon region & Brussels-Capital (French-speaking institutions) | Commemorates the September Days of 1830. |
🌉 The Bridges (“Brugdagen”) in 2026
The art of “bridge” (brugdag) is also practiced. The year 2026 offers some great opportunities, especially in the public sector and for those who can take time off work.
- Almost guaranteed long weekends (holidays on a Friday or Monday):
- Labor Day : THE May 1st is a Friday → 3-day weekend.
- Ascent : THE May 21st is a ThursdayBy taking Friday, May 22nd off, you create a 4-day long weekend (traditional “Ascension Day long weekend”).
- Other opportunities:
- National Day : THE July 21st is a TuesdayBy taking Monday the 20th off, a 4-day weekend.
- Armistice Day : THE November 11th is a WednesdayBy taking Thursday 12th and Friday 13th off, a 5-day break is possible.
🏫 School Holidays 2026 (Unified Calendar)
Unlike France, Belgium has a unified school calendar for all three Communities (French, Flemish, German-speaking). The dates are therefore the same everywhere.
| Period | Dates 2026 (approximately) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival Holidays | Mon. 23 Feb. – Sun. 1 Mar. | A week. |
| Easter holidays | Mon. 6 Apr. – Sun. 19 Apr. | Two weeks. Starting after Easter Monday. |
| Summer vacation | Wed. July 1 – Fri. August 31 | The “summer holidays”. Very high tourist numbers in July and especially August. |
| All Saints’ Day holidays | Mon. Nov. 2 – Sun. Nov. 8 | A week. |
| Winter holidays (Christmas) | Mon. Dec. 21 – Sun. Jan. 3, 2027 | Two weeks, including the New Year. |
Note : The exact dates may vary by one or two days depending on the year. It is advisable to check them on the official websites of the Communities at the end of 2025.
💡 Practical tips for planning your holidays in Belgium
- Identify your region First, check if you will be in Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels or the German-speaking Community to find out which public holidays apply.
- Anticipate the closures : THE May 1Many shops and museums are closed. On other public holidays, small shops may be closed, but major attractions often remain open.
- Avoid the August crowds : THE Belgian summer holidays The entire month of August, combined with European holidays, creates maximum crowds on the coasts and in tourist towns. For a more peaceful trip, opt for June, September, or the long weekend periods.
- Enjoy the traditions :
- July 21 Fireworks, concerts and a public dance at Place des Palais in Brussels, military parade.
- December 6 : Saint Nicholas (Sinterklaas) is a major holiday for children, especially in Flanders and Brussels (it is not a public holiday, but a big celebration).
In summary, planning in Belgium in 2026 requires paying particular attention to the region where we are located (for holidays) and at unified school calendar (for the crowds). The year offers good opportunities for long weekends, especially around Ascension Day.
Still want an even more change of scenery? Read our new articles about travel.
