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Music · Spa
The Francofolies de Spa take over the center of the spa town in July, with francophone music concerts on outdoor stages in the Parc de Sept Heures and in venues such as the Casino.
In the photo: Spa
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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Francofolies de Spa — Spa
In July, usually in the second half of the month, over several days depending on each edition's format.
July
Dates change every year: check this year's date before you travel.
The festival
The Francofolies de Spa have been held since 1994, inspired by the Francofolies de La Rochelle in France, and succeeded an older French-song festival that used to take place in the town. The focus is music in the French language, from chanson to pop, rock and rap, with artists from Belgium, France, Switzerland, Quebec and francophone Africa, alongside names from other styles.
The festival is not on an outlying site: stages are set up in Spa’s town centre itself, between the Parc de Sept Heures, the Place Royale and venues such as the Casino. There are ticketed concerts on the main stages and a free-access programme in the streets, squares and bars, which brings the party to the whole town.
Spa, a thermal-water town amid the hills of the Ardennes, hosts the festival in the second half of July. The format changes from one edition to another, with indoor days and outdoor days, but the spirit of an urban festival remains.
For travellers in Liège province in summer, the Francofolies combine music with a town that is already worth visiting for its thermal baths, springs and parks.
The big outdoor night concerts. The free-access programme through the streets and squares of the centre. A stroll through the Parc de Sept Heures during the day.
Check the year’s format, which alternates indoor and outdoor days. Spa is reachable by train from Liège, with connections from Brussels, and extra buses are usually provided on festival days. Take advantage of the daytime to visit the town’s thermal baths and springs.
Spa is small and accommodation fills up during the festival week; book early or stay in Liège. Tickets for the main stages are sold in advance on the official website.
In the city
July
June/JulyOver two nights between late June and early July.
On two early-summer nights, the Ommegang brings hundreds of participants in 16th-century costumes from the Sablon to Brussels’ Grand-Place, recreating the celebration held for Emperor Charles V in 1549.
June/JulyFor four days, from Thursday to Sunday, on the weekend that closes June or opens July.
Rock Werchter brings together rock, pop, indie and electronic music over four days at Festivalpark in Werchter, in the municipality of Rotselaar, near Leuven, at the start of summer.
JulyFor ten days in July, including Belgium’s national holiday on July 21.
For ten days in July, the Gentse Feesten spread concerts, street theatre, puppetry and bars across the squares and quays of Ghent’s historic centre.
Your questions
In July, usually in the second half of the month, over several days depending on each edition's format.
Mainly music in the French language, from chanson to pop, rock and rap, with artists from various francophone countries and guest acts from other styles.
Festivals and events in Belgium
JulyOn the last two weekends of July.
An electronic music festival held across two weekends in July at De Schorre park in Boom, between Antwerp and Brussels, known for its theatrical stages and international audience.
February/MarchFrom Carnival Sunday to Shrove Tuesday, the three days before Ash Wednesday, in February or March depending on the date of Easter.
The Binche carnival, in the province of Hainaut, culminates on Shrove Tuesday with the Gilles, figures wearing wax masks and ostrich-feather hats who dance through the streets to the sound of drums and throw oranges to the crowd.
February/MarchFrom Saturday to midnight on Fat Tuesday, before the start of Lent, in February or March, depending on the date of Easter.
The Cwarmê is Malmedy’s carnival, in the Ardennes: four days when masked figures such as the Haguètes take to the streets, everything is spoken and sung in Walloon, up to the burning of the Haguète on the final night.
March/AprilOn Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent, three weeks before Easter, in March or early April; from Saturday to Monday.
Three weeks before Easter, Stavelot celebrates Laetare with the Blancs Moussis, figures dressed in white with long red-nosed masks who go through the town throwing confetti at the crowd.
May/JuneOn the weekend of the Holy Trinity, the Sunday after Pentecost, between May and June, depending on the date of Easter.
On Trinity weekend, Mons carries the relic of Saint Waltrude on a gilded carriage through the streets and stages the Lumeçon, Saint George’s fight with the dragon, on the Grand-Place.
MayEvery three years, on the second Sunday in May. · Every three years
Every three years, on the second Sunday in May, Ypres celebrates cats with the Kattenstoet, a parade of floats, giants and costumes that culminates with the town jester throwing stuffed cats from the Lakenhalle bell tower.