Ommegang van Brussel
Historic Renaissance pageant on the Grand-Place with 1,400 actors, giants, horses and flag-throwers, recreating Charles V's 1549 entry.
Leverage Brussels' historic Renaissance spectacle to drive tourism, hospitality bookings, and cultural event attendance during the pageant season.
- Experience 1,400 actors & giants recreating Charles V's 1549 royal entry—a living history moment
- Plan your Brussels trip around Europe's most elaborate Renaissance pageant on the Grand-Place
- Behind-the-scenes: How organizers stage a 16th-century spectacle with modern logistics
- Local food & beverage pop-ups and heritage shopping during Ommegang van Brussel
The historic show of the Ommegang of Brussels will be held on Wednesday 1 and Friday 3 July 2026 at the Grand-Place, starting at 8:45 pm. The parade and show are part of the folklore of Brussels, with 1,400 actors, folk and historic groups, horses, puppet theatre, giants, flags. UNESCO registered the Ommegang on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on 11 December 2019. More than 1200 participants will help you relive an important historical moment from 1549, the procession of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.
Wednesday 1 July 2026
19:05 – Crossbow guilds assembly at Zavel; 19:15 – Golden Arrow tournament & ceremony; 20:45 – Pre-procession departs Royal Park; 20:55 – Historical procession from Sablon to Grand-Place; 21:00 – Main show at Grand-Place
Friday 3 July 2026
Same schedule as 1 July: 19:05 crossbows, 19:15 tournament, 20:45 pre-procession, 20:55 main procession, 21:00 Grand-Place show
Festivities 1-4 July 2026
Renaissance Market, equestrian jousts, Renaissance Village at Sablon (free entry); knight tournaments; medieval crafts and activities; puppet theatre and giants parading