Jaarmarkt Leuven
Traditionele jaarmarkt met marktkramen, kindermarkt, veeprijskamp en optredens in het bruisende stadscentrum.
Activate local retail, food vendors, and family-focused brands around a traditional annual fair celebrating community gathering and live entertainment in Leuven's city center.
- Family day out: discover local vendors & kids' activities at Jaarmarkt Leuven
- Support local: traditional market fair with crafts, food, and livestock competitions
- Live entertainment & community vibes—plan your visit to Leuven's annual fair
- Local businesses spotlight: meet artisans & food vendors at the city's beloved annual market
Jaarmarkt is celebrated on Monday 7 September 2026, described as the high day for Leuven residents, offering a festive fair, children's annual market, livestock prize competition and performances in the bustling city centre. This 75-year-old tradition brings people together through a mix of tradition, pleasure and community – from the cattle parade to live music and from children's entertainment to folk cafés.
Early Morning (from 6am)
Traditional gathering at folk cafés (De Vetten Os, Café Marengo, Leivese Ton, Jeeskesboom, etc.)
Morning–Afternoon
Veeprijskamp (livestock competition) at Sint-Jacobsplein; festive fair, brocanterie, and children's market in city centre streets
Afternoon–Evening
Live performances on Martelarenplein; shopping and food/drink throughout car-free city centre
- Festive fair with attractive offers, shop demonstrations, and antique/vintage goods at the brocanterie
- Farmers from across Flanders showcase beautiful draught horses, warmblood horses, Shetlanders, cattle, goats and sheep at Sint-Jacobsplein
- Children's annual market where kids learn about healthy eating by dancing and singing with Professor Wortel, plus bouncy castles and games
- Free performances on Martelarenplein in the afternoon
- Car-free city centre with numerous market stalls and food/drink venues
- Traditional experience of early-morning drinking in folk cafés like De Vetten Os, part of the Jaarmarkt culture