Krakelingen en Tonnekensbrand
UNESCO-erkend winters volksfeest met historische Krakelingenstoet, krakelingenworp vanaf de Oudenberg en het ontsteken van het Tonnekensbrand-vreugdevuur.
Leverage UNESCO-recognized winter festival heritage to drive tourism and local hospitality bookings during off-season travel periods.
- Experience 500+ years of tradition: UNESCO winter festival with historic processions and bonfire celebrations
- Winter wanderlust: Discover Europe's hidden cultural gem—Krakelingen's legendary krakelings-throwing tradition
- Local flavor meets global recognition: UNESCO festival spotlights regional food, crafts, and community spirit
- Plan your winter escape: Historic fire festival and street processions create Instagram-worthy moments
On Sunday 22 February 2026, Geraardsbergen will celebrate its ancient double festival of Krakelingen and Tonnekensbrand. This centuries-old double festival was inscribed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010. The 2026 Krakelingenstoet (procession) carries the theme "Geraardsbergen unites itself," telling the story of different types of associations in Geraardsbergen. The celebration culminates with warm soup, music and folk dancing on the Oudenberg at 19:30, followed by the Tonnekensbrand bonfire at 20:00 to welcome spring.
Sunday 22 February 2026 – 14:00
Programme booklet distribution; first 750 visitors receive a Krakelingen pin
Sunday 22 February 2026 – 15:00
Historical procession departs Hunnegem (Gasthuisstraat), depicting 25 centuries of Geraardsbergen history, with 12 commentary stations along route; ends at Oude Steenweg/Vesten intersection
Sunday 22 February 2026 – 16:45
Krakelingenworp (bread throw) atop Oudenberg hill; approximately 5000 krakelingen distributed, one containing winning ticket for golden krakeling jewel
Sunday 22 February 2026 – 19:30
Warm soup, music and traditional folk dancing by Nele folk group on Oudenberg
Sunday 22 February 2026 – 20:00
Tonnekensbrand bonfire ignited on Oudenberg; neighboring villages respond with Walmkebrand fires; torchlit procession returns to city center
- 1000-plus participant historical procession departing at 15:00 from Hunnegem church through the city center
- Giant figures and city officials in historical costume throw thousands of krakelingen (ring-shaped breads) into the crowd, with one containing a ticket winning a unique golden jewel
- 53 parade groups participating—a record number
- New sub-thematic organization: religious, military, socio-economic, sport, and cultural associations with specific scenes including Holy Heart Bond, Concordia Brewery founding, local chess club, Willemsfonds, and Cecilia music group
- Symbolic new ritual (2026 debut): fish symbolically removed from a pond and brought in a chalice to replace the traditional fish-drinking custom
- Evening "Walmkebrand" response fires from neighboring districts and torchlit procession through the city