theMarketing Calendar
Log inSign up
← All days
day · fixed · Geraardsbergen (Stadscentrum en Oudenberg, Geraardsbergen) BE

Krakelingen en Tonnekensbrand

A thousand-year-old folklore procession ending with the throwing of krakelingen and a fire ritual (Tonnekensbrand) on the Oudenberg, on 22 February 2026.

28
Marketing angleinferred

Position this ancient Belgian folklore ritual as an authentic cultural tourism experience for heritage travelers and local community engagement.

Relevance 28low intent
  • Discover a 1,000-year-old tradition: the Krakelingen procession and fire ritual on Oudenberg
  • Experience authentic Flemish folklore—witness the historic Tonnekensbrand fire ceremony
  • Plan your pilgrimage to Belgium's most ancient cultural celebration
Programme

On Sunday 22 February 2026, Geraardsbergen celebrates the centuries-old double festival of Krakelingen and Tonnekensbrand, with the Krakelingenstoet theme "Geraardsbergen verenigt zich" (Geraardsbergen unites itself) . This UNESCO World Heritage festival (inscribed in 2010) combines pre-Christian fire rituals with community bread-tossing traditions . The 2026 edition features 53 participating groups—more than ever before—including an exceptionally large number of animals (horses, sheep, dogs, and possibly livestock and falcons) .

  • Historical parade starts at 15:00 from Hunnegem church, concluding at Oude Steenweg/Vesten, with bread tossing following around 16:45 at Oudenberg hilltop
  • Officials and clergy throw thousands of krakelingen (ring-shaped breads) into the crowd
  • one contains a lucky ticket winning a custom-designed golden krakeling jewel
  • Evening welcome at Oudenberg with warm soup, music and dance by folkloric group Nele at 19:30, followed by the Tonnekensbrand bonfire lit at 20:00 sharp to welcome spring
  • New format: stoet organized by sub-themes (religious, military, socio-economic, sports, cultural associations) rather than chronologically, with heralds announcing each section
  • 2026 debuts a new symbolic ritual: live fish are symbolically drawn from the pond and carried in a bowl to the hilltop, replacing the traditional fish-in-wine drinking (prohibited under Flemish animal welfare law since 2025)
  • Torches distributed on Oudenberg, participants carry fire down to town centre with carnival rides operating at full capacity
  • surrounding communes answer with smaller "Walmkebrand" fires
  • "label": "Sunday 22 Feb, 15:00",
  • "detail": "Historische Krakelingenstoet departs from Hunnegem church, parades through city centre showcasing 25 centuries of Geraardsbergen history with 53 groups in themed scenes (religious, military, socio-economic, sports, cultural unions)"
  • },
  • "label": "Sunday 22 Feb, 14:00 onwards",
  • "detail": "Programme booklets available
  • first 750 spectators receive commemorative Krakelingenpin badge"
  • },
  • "label": "Sunday 22 Feb, ca. 16:45",
  • "detail": "Krakelingenworp (bread throwing) at Oudenberg hilltop: city officials throw ~5000 krakelingen
  • one contains winning ticket for hand-crafted golden krakeling"
  • },
  • "label": "Sunday 22 Feb, 19:30",
  • "detail": "Warm soup, music and traditional folk dancing by group Nele on Oudenberg"
  • },
  • "label": "Sunday 22 Feb, 20:00 sharp",
  • "detail": "Tonnekensbrand bonfire ignited at Oudenberg hilltop
  • torches distributed
  • participants carry fire down to town centre carnival/market"