Have you ever thought of stepping back in time, walking among knights, nobles, and courtiers, parades, crossbowmen in traditional attire in a 16th-century European city? Yes, Right! But it feels impossible to do. But not always, because the Ommegang Festival 2025 in Brussels is the festival that can offer you this time-travelling experience.
Brussels is the city of art and heritage, holding the title of “Capital of Europe,” and the heart of Belgium too. Moreover this cultural celebration transforms the heart of Belgium’s capital into a living Renaissance scene every year in July. So, this upcoming July, this spectacular historical pageant is ready to recreate the ancient moments for you.
Whether you’re a history buff, a culture lover, or just looking for a unique summer festival, this guide has everything you need to know about Ommegang Festival 2025.
If you are planning to attend the Ommegang Festival 2025 in Brussels, then you should know everything about the festival. So, you can attend this festival with the proper information and make lifelong memories.
Dates: Wednesday, July 2nd, and Friday, July 4th, 2025
Time: 8:00 PM to 8:45 PM
Location: Grand-Place (Grote Markt), & Sablon District, Brussels
The Ommegang Festival 2025 (Dutch for “walking around”) began in the 14th century as a religious procession in honor of the Virgin Mary and was organised by the crossbowmen’s Guild of Brussels. Over time, it evolved into a grand civic celebration in the 16th century.
Specifically, the version of the Ommegang Festival 2025 celebrated today is based on the 1549 Joyous Entry of Emperor Charles V and his son Philip II into Brussels. This was a lavish spectacle designed to display power, pageantry, and civic pride.
Moreover, Ommegang is a UNESCO-recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage event, celebrated with astonishing historical accuracy, colorful costumes, and vibrant reenactments. As a result, it holds immense cultural significance.
The Ommegang Festival 2025 was not always a festival; as fact, it was first celebrated as a form of joy in the visit of Emperor Charles V to Brussels in 1549. In addition, this festival is a historical reenactment and cultural celebration in the city to relive the 16th century’s medieval traditions of the city.
Today, it takes place annually in July in a grand manner at Grand Place with 1400 participants dressed in 16th-century costumes, including the flags, nobles, knights, bows, and musicians.
Consequently all these historical things grab the attention of thousands of UK visitors who revel in the spectacle of living history.
Every year, this festival is held for two days. If the person misses the 1st day event, they can attend it on 2nd day. This year, the Ommegang Festival 2025 is taking place on two dates. First on July 2nd, 2025, and second on July 4th, 2025.
The schedule for 2 July 2025 with time and activities is:
| Time | Name of the Event | The Activities | Location |
| 08:00 PM | Entry & Gathering | Gates open, Crowd Interaction | Grand-Place, Brussels |
| 08:45 PM | Historical Procession | A parade from Sablon to Grand-Place | Sablon District |
| 09:15 PM | Main Programme | Reenactment of the 1549 Joyous Entry of Emperor Charles V, Historical Drama, & Theatrical Performances | Grand-Place |
The schedule for the 4th of July is the same, because they repeat the events on the 2nd day.
Note: The festival parade includes over 1,400 performers in Renaissance attire, including knights, crossbowmen, giants, musicians, puppets, and flags.
So, if you are going to book a ticket for the Ommegang Festival 2025, then first check both (free and Paid) options before booking.
If you want to have a seating experience, the Reserved seats are from €45 to €85. So, book according to your choice.
If you don’t have the budget for seat booking, but still want to enjoy the medieval vibes. You can come very early to secure a good standing spot at the venue to watch the complete traditional parade on the streets.
So, the Tickets for the Ommegang Festival 2025 can be booked on the official website of the festival.
If you want to live more 16th-century life, then before the evening show begins at Ommegang Festival 2025, explore the Renaissance Village near the Sablon district. Here, the traditional crafts, live music, costumed performers, and medieval-inspired treats are free to attend, except for some activities.
So, when are you applying for a Belgium Schengen Visa From London? Brussels awaits your arrival at the festival.
Sometimes choosing the best transportation to reach the venue or destination of any festival or event becomes a puzzle. And sometimes I don’t get the direct options either. Here is a table of all possible transportation options to reach the Ommegang Festival 2025 venue.
| Type of Transport | Taken Time | Approx Fare | Distance from Venue |
| Flight | 2 – 2.5 Hours | £50–£200 | 30–40 min (train + walk) |
| Bus (Coach) | 6 -7 Hours | £20–£50 | walk-in distance |
| Train | 2 – 2.5 Hours | £50–£150 | 15 minutes (local train + short walk) |
| Car | 5 – 6 Hours | £100–£150 | According to the parking or accommodation location |
From all options, you can’t directly reach the Ommegang Festival 2025 venue. You have to first come to Brussels and then to the venue. By comparison, you can choose comfort and budget-friendly transport to reach the venue.
**** If you are planning a trip to Brussels to attend the Ommegang Festival 2025, then as a UK resident, first, you should have a Belgium Visa. As this is a traditional festival, every year, 20,000 UK travelers visit the country during the festival months. So, due to this crowd, most of the Online Belgium Visa from the UK applications are not processed for scheduling an interview, which is a crucial part of getting a visa.
So, to fulfill the dream vacation of every UK traveler, SCHENGEN VISAS HELP UK is working on this goal. Here you will get the best visa service through the experienced visa experts and will get an express Schengen Visa Appointment for Belgium with the fast-trek method after applying.****
>>> A rare white horse leads the Ommegang parade at the Ommegang Festival, symbolizing divine purity, and it must be selected from a secretive lineage preserved by local breeders.
>>> According to local belief, there is a hidden symbolic “devil figure” in the parade structure that protects Brussels from evil spirits and misfortune.
If you are attending the Ommegang Festival 2025 for the first time, you should be aware of some rules and things to avoid in the last-minute hassles for tickets and about packing.
Ommegang Festival 2025 is a two-day festival, but not held on continuous days. So, you have to book accommodation for a stay in Brussels near the festival venue to get easy access to the festival and also explore the city in your free time.
Here is a table of nearby three best nearby accommodations:
| Hotel Name | Location | Distance from the festival venue | Cost/Night | Amenities |
| Brussels Marriott Hotel | Grand Place | Walk-in distance ( 2 min ) | €200–€250 | Upscale, Wi-Fi, gym, dining |
| Hotel Ibis Brussels | Grand Place | Walk-in distance | €90–€120 | In budget, Wi-Fi, A/C, 24h bar, central. |
| NH Brussels | Grand Place Arenberg | Walk-in distance | €130–€170 | Modern, Wi-Fi, gym, business-friendly |
By comparison, for every requirement, the travelers can pick the best one that fits them.
In conclusion, the Ommegang Festival 2025 is an open invitation for all UK travelers who are interested in history, traditions, old music, and parades. The atmosphere of the city during the festival and other activities is a call for your camera and photo diary to make memories. With the historical reenactments, traditional crafts, and delicious cuisine, the Ommegang Festival 2025 promises lifelong memories.
As a traveler, everyone knows planning is the key. So, book your festival tickets, pack your bag, get your Online Belgium Visa From the UK, and fly to the heart of Brussels to create new traditional memories.
Uncover the spirit of old Brussels – don’t just read about it, live its legacy at the Ommegang Festival 2025!
1. What are the dates for the Ommegang Festival 2025 in Brussels, Belgium?
The Ommegang Festival 2025 will take place on Wednesday, July 2nd, and Friday, July 4th, 2025, at Grand Place in Brussels, Germany.
2. Is the Ommegang Festival 2025 free to attend?
Yes, you can find free-standing spots on the streets to watch the parade, but only when you arrive at the venue early. It’s not guaranteed that you get one, so book a ticket, ranging from €45 to €85, to the main festival.
3. What time does the Ommegang Festival 2025 start at Grand Place in Brussels?
The main historical procession and program at the Grand-Place begins at 8:45 PM, but the gates open for entry and crowd interaction at 8:00 PM.
4. As a UK resident, do I need a visa to attend the Ommegang Festival 2025?
Yes, as a UK resident, you should have a Schengen Belgium Visa to attend this festival, and on the SCHENGEN VISAS HELP, you can apply for a Belgium Visa and can get an appointment expressly.
5. What documents are required for a Belgium Schengen Visa for UK residents?
The required documents for a Belgium Schengen Visa for UK residents are:
