Trudofeesten Sint-Truiden
Year-long celebration of city founder Trudo with exhibitions, concerts, processions and events around the abbey site.
Drive tourism and local engagement to Sint-Truiden through year-round cultural programming centered on the city's heritage and abbey site.
- Spotlight the abbey's historical significance and Trudo's founding legacy
- Promote concert and exhibition lineup to attract cultural tourists
- Encourage local participation in processions and community events
- Partner with regional tourism boards to position Sint-Truiden as a cultural destination
In 2026, Sint-Truiden celebrates a full year long dedicated to Trudo, the founder of the city. More than thirteen centuries after his arrival, his spirit of hospitality, faith and togetherness continues to live on in Sint-Truiden. The Trudofeesten is a seven-yearly grand civic celebration that highlights the city's founder, the Saint Trudo abbey and the city's DNA. Through exhibitions, concerts, celebrations, processions, workshops and gatherings centred on and around the abbey site, associations, schools, neighbourhoods and artists bring the story of Trudo back to life.
22 Nov 2025
Opening weekend: Gregorian morning prayers (Lauden) at 9:00 in Our Lady Church; Light Procession with bezielde (inspired) banners at 17:00 from abbey, through city streets to main square, ending with evening prayer and reception
11 Apr – 11 Jun 2026
Exhibition 'Textiel met een Ziel' in Our Lady Church: medieval textile treasures from Trudo abbey alongside fashion archive of Dries Van Noten (7th–21st century)
Summer 2026
Exhibition 'Papier met een verhaal' (Paper with a Story) featuring special documents at the abbey site
Autumn 2026
Exhibition 'Relieken, terug naar Trudo' (Relics, back to Trudo) in the Beguinage Church
16–17 Oct 2026
City-wide spectacle 'Theater Tol in de stad' with musicians, dancers, acrobats; interactive street theatre and participatory performances across city centre
21 Nov 2026
Closing event 'Lichtjes in de Abdij': candles, light projections and music on abbey site; ceremonial return of 100 banners to participating associations
- Opening light procession on 22 November 2025 with the shrine of Trudo led through the city
- Medieval textile exhibition from 11 April to 11 June 2026 featuring rare medieval fabrics and archive pieces from designer Dries Van Noten
- Grand city-wide spectacle "Theater Tol in de stad" on 16–17 October 2026—a unique mix of theatre, participation and city life carried by artists and residents together
- "Lichtjes in de Abdij" closing event on 21 November 2026, with the abbey site illuminated as a symbol of connection between past and future
- €50,000 in project subsidies to stimulate creative activities, with the former Sint-Trudo abbey serving as the central meeting place
- 100+ community associations creating ceremonial banners for the Light Procession