day · fixed · Leuven (Grote Markt, voor het stadhuis) BE
Meyboomplanting Leuven
De Mannen van 1979 planten opnieuw de Meyboom voor het stadhuis, een echte Leuvense traditie met dans en muziek.
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Celebrate Leuven's unique cultural heritage and drive local tourism through the historic Meyboom planting tradition with dance and music.
- Behind-the-scenes of Leuven's 400+ year-old Meyboom tradition
- Local guide: Experience authentic Belgian culture and street celebration
- Photo essay: Dance, music, and community pride at the Meyboom planting
Programmetypical · 2026 TBC
On Sunday 9 August 2026, the Men of 1979 will plant the Meyboom in front of the City Hall—a genuine Leuven tradition featuring dance and music. The tradition requires planting the tree before 17:00 on 9 August, the eve of St. Lawrence. In Leuven, they choose the silver birch because it remains longer green , and the tree stays on the Grote Markt until after the second Sunday of September.
- Tree planting ceremony at Grote Markt Leuven before 17:00 on 9 August 2026
- Led by the Men of 1979 (Mannen van 1979), custodians since 2020 of this 52+ year Leuven tradition
- Dance and music performance as part of the planting ritual
- Historic rivalry celebration—Leuven has claimed the "only real Meyboom" since 1974 when the Men of 1929 smuggled it from Brussels
- UNESCO Intangible Heritage designation (since 2008)
- Free public event on the Grote Markt
- folk tradition popular with locals and tourists
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