Soumonces et festivites pre-carnavalesques de Binche
Wekenlange opwarming naar het carnaval met soumonces (repetities) van trommels en violen op opeenvolgende zondagen, eindigend met de Nuit des Trouilles de Nouilles.
Position Binche's pre-carnival rehearsals as an authentic cultural experience for heritage tourism and local community engagement.
- Behind-the-scenes drum and violin rehearsals: experience carnival prep like a local
- Nuit des Trouilles de Nouilles: the quirky final celebration before Binche's carnival season kicks off
- Multi-week cultural immersion: follow the rhythm of Belgian carnival traditions from rehearsal to festival
The Soumonces et Festivités Pré-Carnavalesques of Binche are a six-week lead-up to the UNESCO-recognized Carnival of Binche (15–17 Feb 2026), beginning Sunday, 4 January 2026. These pre-carnival festivities comprise drum rehearsals in local society meeting rooms, soumonces en batterie (drum parades through town), and soumonces en musique (music parades with brass bands), held alternating Sundays so each society performs separately. Youth organisations host themed balls (Children of ADL, Socialist Youth, Liberal Youth, Catholic Youth) on Saturdays. The events culminate with the Nuit des Trouilles de Nouilles on Monday, 9 February, marking the final build before Mardi Gras.
Sunday 4 January
First drum rehearsal in society meeting rooms (Binche)
Sunday 11 January
Second drum rehearsal (Binche)
Saturday 17 January
Bal des Enfants de l'ADL (Kursaal); Soumonce en batterie (Leval)
Sunday 18 January
Soumonce en batterie (Binche and Epinois)
Saturday 24 January
Bal de la Jeunesse Socialiste (Kursaal); Soumonce en musique (Leval)
Sunday 25 January
Soumonce en batterie (Binche)
Saturday 31 January
Bal de la Jeunesse Libérale (Kursaal)
Sunday 1 February
Soumonce en musique (Binche)
Saturday 7 February
Bal de la Jeunesse Catholique (Kursaal)
Sunday 8 February
Soumonce en musique (Binche)
Monday 9 February
Nuit des Trouilles de Nouilles (final pre-carnival event)
- Drum rehearsals, soumonces in batterie and soumonces in musique
- Societies gather in a café outside the city center before joining the town accompanied by drums and bass drums
- Future Gilles don clogs and ornate belts, dancing while agitating the ramon (willow stick)
- Brass bands join percussion for soumonces in musique, participants wearing historic costumes
- Themed youth balls: Children of ADL (17 Jan), Socialist Youth (24 Jan), Liberal Youth (31 Jan), Catholic Youth (7 Feb)
- The Nuit des Trouilles de Nouilles on 9 February, an unmissable evening