Programme of events for the 2016 Belgian National Day
On the occasion of the National Day on 21 July this year, the FPS Chancellery of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Defence, the FPS Home Affairs, and the Federal and Local Police, in close collaboration with the Syndicat d’initiative Bruxelles Promotion, organise a series of events in Brussels for the general public. The objective is to turn this Belgian National Day into a great popular event, giving all citizens the opportunity to share in a festive moment in the heart of the capital.
Here is an overview of the events organised and co-organised by the Federal Authorities:
- Wednesday 20 July 2016
As of 7pm - National Ball - Place du Jeu de Balle
This year, too, the National Ball is back for its 14th edition on place du Jeu de Balle in the Marolles area as of 7pm. The biggest popular ball in Belgium will start by an initiation into dancing, followed by a series of free concerts. The stars, Daddy K and Kate Ryan will, among others, perform this year.
→ More information on the website of the National Ball: www.balnational.be
8pm - Prelude to National Day Concert - BOZAR
This is a free concert organised by the international musical Reine Elisabeth Competition and supported by the FPS Chancellery of the Prime Minister and the National Lottery, in the presence of the King and the Queen, at the Brussels Centre for Fine Arts (BOZAR). This concert brings together the National Orchestra of Belgium, conducted by Alexandre Bloch, and the second winner of the 2011 Reine Elisabeth Singing Competition, the Belgian tenor Thomas Blondelle.
→ More information on the website of BOZAR: http://www.bozar.be/fr/activities/113873-concert-prelude-a-la-fete-nationale-2016
- Thursday 21 July 2016
10am - Te Deum – Cathedral St. Michael and St. Gudula
The Te Deum service of 21 July will be celebrated in the presence of the King and the Queen and the constitutional authorities in the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula at 10am, presided by the Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels and the Primate of Belgium Jozef De Kesel.
As of 10am – Party in the Park – Brussels Park/rue de la Régence and surrounding areas
From 10am to 11pm, the Party in the Park will stretch from the neighbourhoods of the Palace of Justice to the Palace of the Nations (Federal Parliament) via rue de la Régence, Sablon, place Royale and Brussels Park. A host of free, fun and folkloric events will be on offer. The museums and churches of the area will be open to the public. There will be music throughout the day in Brussels Park.
The Ministry of Defence, the Federal and Local Police, the European institutions and various federal public services will be present.
The Federal Truck, the Federal Authorities' information truck, will be parked at the top of rue de la Régence and welcome visitors throughout the day. Next to it, the Wikifin.be stand of the Financial Markets and Services Authority (FSMA) will invite citizens to take a different look at money-related questions. Lastly, the BEL-Europa stand, the joint stand of the Federal Authorities and the representations in Belgium of the European Commission and the European Parliament, will also organise numerous activities on place Royale.
→ More information on the webpages of the Syndicat d’initiative Bruxelles Promotion: www.facebook.com/belgium2107 or www.sibp.be
4pm – Military and civilian parade
The traditional military and civilian parade will take place on place des Palais as of 4pm. This year's theme is security.
→ More information on the website of the Ministry of Defence: http://www.mil.be/fr/fete-nationale
From 5pm to 10pm – National Resto dinner - Place du Jeu de Balle
The perfect complement to the National Ball held the previous evening, the 5th edition of the National Resto dinner will set up tables on place du Jeu de Balle for a feast of mussels and chips with majorettes, brass bands and accordions. For the first time this year, a special children's concert will delight families with the musical show Poopsy at 5pm.
→ More information on the website of the National Resto dinner: www.restonational.be
11pm - Fireworks - Place des Palais
To conclude this festive day, the FPS Chancellery of the Prime Minister and the Syndicat d’initiative Bruxelles Promotion organise a great musical fireworks display from the garden and roofs of the Academy Palace. The public will be able to view it free of charge from place des Palais.
→ More information on the web pages of the Syndicat d’initiative Bruxelles Promotion: www.facebook.com/belgium2107 or www.sibp.be