Public holidays in Bruges

What it means for your trip

On a Belgian public holiday most shops, banks and offices are closed and trains and buses run to a Sunday-style timetable. Museums and tourist sights are often still open (the national holiday on 21 July is a good example), but check the opening hours. A holiday that falls on a Sunday is not moved to another day.

Public holidays in 2026

• Thu 1 January New Year's Day (Nieuwjaar / Jour de l'An)
  The first day of the year. Shops and offices are closed, and many people stay in after the night before.
• Mon 6 April Easter Monday (Paasmaandag / Lundi de Pâques)
  The day after Easter Sunday, a long weekend for most people. Shops and offices are closed.
• Fri 1 May Labour Day (Dag van de Arbeid / Fête du Travail)
  International workers' day. Shops are closed and there are union marches in some cities.
• Thu 14 May Ascension Day (O.L.H. Hemelvaart / Ascension)
  A Christian feast 39 days after Easter, always on a Thursday. Shops are closed and many people take the Friday off too.
• Mon 25 May Whit Monday (Pinkstermaandag / Lundi de Pentecôte)
  The Monday after Pentecost, making a long weekend. Shops are closed.
• Tue 21 July Belgian National Day (Nationale feestdag / Fête nationale)
  Marks Leopold I taking the oath as first king in 1831. Expect a military parade and fireworks in Brussels; shops are mostly closed, tourist sights usually open.
• Sat 15 August Assumption Day (O.L.V. Hemelvaart / Assomption)
  A Catholic feast in mid-August. Shops are closed; some towns hold processions or flower carpets.
• Sun 1 November All Saints' Day (Allerheiligen / Toussaint)
  A day to remember the dead: families visit cemeteries and put chrysanthemums on graves. Shops are closed.
• Wed 11 November Armistice Day (Wapenstilstand / Armistice)
  Marks the end of the First World War in 1918, with ceremonies at war memorials. Shops are closed or on Sunday hours.
• Fri 25 December Christmas Day (Kerstmis / Noël)
  A quiet family day. Shops are closed and public transport is sparse; many restaurants are shut or fully booked.

Public holidays in 2027

• Fri 1 January New Year's Day (Nieuwjaar / Jour de l'An)
  The first day of the year. Shops and offices are closed, and many people stay in after the night before.
• Mon 29 March Easter Monday (Paasmaandag / Lundi de Pâques)
  The day after Easter Sunday, a long weekend for most people. Shops and offices are closed.
• Sat 1 May Labour Day (Dag van de Arbeid / Fête du Travail)
  International workers' day. Shops are closed and there are union marches in some cities.
• Thu 6 May Ascension Day (O.L.H. Hemelvaart / Ascension)
  A Christian feast 39 days after Easter, always on a Thursday. Shops are closed and many people take the Friday off too.
• Mon 17 May Whit Monday (Pinkstermaandag / Lundi de Pentecôte)
  The Monday after Pentecost, making a long weekend. Shops are closed.
• Wed 21 July Belgian National Day (Nationale feestdag / Fête nationale)
  Marks Leopold I taking the oath as first king in 1831. Expect a military parade and fireworks in Brussels; shops are mostly closed, tourist sights usually open.
• Sun 15 August Assumption Day (O.L.V. Hemelvaart / Assomption)
  A Catholic feast in mid-August. Shops are closed; some towns hold processions or flower carpets.
• Mon 1 November All Saints' Day (Allerheiligen / Toussaint)
  A day to remember the dead: families visit cemeteries and put chrysanthemums on graves. Shops are closed.
• Thu 11 November Armistice Day (Wapenstilstand / Armistice)
  Marks the end of the First World War in 1918, with ceremonies at war memorials. Shops are closed or on Sunday hours.
• Sat 25 December Christmas Day (Kerstmis / Noël)
  A quiet family day. Shops are closed and public transport is sparse; many restaurants are shut or fully booked.