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521e Laetare de Stavelot

The famous white-hooded Blancs-Moussis pelt the crowd with confetti during Stavelot's three-day Laetare, with a Sunday grand parade of 2,500 participants and fireworks.

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Promote Stavelot's iconic Laetare carnival as a destination experience for European travelers seeking authentic regional festivals and immersive cultural events.

Relevance 35medium intent
  • Experience the legendary Blancs-Moussis confetti tradition at Belgium's most vibrant three-day carnival
  • Plan your Laetare pilgrimage: 2,500 participants, grand parade, and fireworks in historic Stavelot
  • Discover why Laetare de Stavelot is Europe's must-see regional carnival event
Programme

The Laetare de Stavelot is a lively spring carnival celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Lent in the Belgian town of Stavelot. Famous for its mischievous characters known as Blancs-Moussis—cloaked figures dressed in white with long red noses—the festival fills the streets with playful antics, confetti, and laughter. Several tens of thousands of spectators are expected for this 521st edition of the Laetare de Stavelot.

Line-up
The Blancs-Moussis—cloaked figures dressed in white with long red noses—parade through town, throwing confetti and waving inflated pig bladdersTraditional Walloon folk groups and societies (25 participating on Sunday)Street entertainment ensembles (Majorettes, Réveil Ardennais, Houm Papa Band, and guest performers)DJ entertainment Saturday night (DJ Kilian, DJ Kelly, DJ Loris)

Saturday 14 March

7:00 PM: Opening of festive marquee at Abbey | 8:00 PM: Ball with DJ performances (10 PM–5 AM) | 8:30 PM: Stallumez-Vous! nocturnal parade—1,250+ participants, 25 societies, luminous spectacle

Sunday 15 March

10:00 AM: Opening ceremony and presentations at heated Abbey tent | 10:20 AM: Tributes and speeches | 12:30–1:45 PM: Street animations throughout city centre | 1:30 PM: Grand Parade with 2,500 participants, Blancs-Moussis Rondeau, 5 tonnes confetti | Afternoon/evening: Stages at Abbey with brass bands, harmonies | Evening: Grand fireworks display

Monday 16 March

Departure of folk and musical societies | Prize-giving ceremony at the Abbey in the evening

  • Saturday night: nocturnal parade from 8:30 PM with over 1,250 participants and 25 societies, a very luminous cortège
  • Sunday: grand parade of the Blancs Moussis with 2,500 participants, 25 folk societies, 5 tonnes of confetti and a grand fireworks display
  • Sunday morning from 10:00 AM: opening of the festive marquee with traditional Walloon groups and a tribute ceremony
  • A laser show, unforgettable and unprecedented, added extra sparkle, transforming the city into a real light spectacle
  • Sunday from 12:30 to 1:45 PM: street entertainment in several emblematic locations of the city centre