Legally Recognised Holidays

Generally these days are work-free, but some service industries like cafés, bakeries, restaurants and cinemas are open. The religious importance is generally seen as being on the decline.

Jan 01 2006	Sun		New Year´s Day	Jan 01 2007	Mon		New Year´s Day
Apr 16 2006	Sun	†	Easter	Apr 08 2007	Sun	†	Easter
Apr 17 2006	Mon	†	Easter Monday	Apr 09 2007	Mon	†	Easter Monday
May 01 2006	Mon		Labour Day	May 01 2007	Tue		Labour Day
May 08 2006	Mon		Fête de l'iris	May 08 2007	Tue		Fête de l'iris
May 25 2006	Thu	†	Ascension Day	May 17 2007	Thu	†	Ascension Day
Jun 04 2006	Sun	†	Whitsun	May 27 2007	Sun	†	Whitsun
Jun 05 2006	Mon	†	Whit Monday	May 28 2007	Mon	†	Whit Monday
Jul 21 2006	Fri		Belgium National Holiday	Jul 21 2007	Sat		Belgium National Holiday
Aug 15 2006	Tue	†	Assumption Day	Aug 15 2007	Wed	†	Assumption Day
Nov 01 2006	Wed	†	All Saints´ Day	Nov 01 2007	Thu	†	All Saints´ Day
Nov 11 2006	Sat		Armistice Day 1918	Nov 11 2007	Sun		Armistice Day 1918
Dec 25 2006	Mon	†	Christmas	Dec 25 2007	Tue	†	Christmas

Non Legally Recognised Holidays

May 14 2006	Sun		Mother's Day	May 13 2007	Sun		Mother's Day
Jul 11 2006	Tue		Flemish Community Holiday	Jul 11 2007	Wed		Flemish Community Holiday
Sep 17 2006	Sun		Feiertag der Wallonischen Region	Sep 16 2007	Sun		Feiertag der Wallonischen Region
Sep 27 2006	Wed		French Community Day	Sep 27 2007	Thu		French Community Day
Nov 15 2006	Wed		German Community Day	Nov 15 2007	Thu		German Community Day
Dec 03 2006	Sun	†	First Advent	Dec 02 2007	Sun	†	First Advent
Dec 10 2006	Sun	†	Second Advent	Dec 09 2007	Sun	†	Second Advent
Dec 17 2006	Sun	†	Third Advent	Dec 16 2007	Sun	†	Third Advent
Dec 24 2006	Sun	†	Fourth Advent	Dec 23 2007	Sun	†	Fourth Advent
Dec 31 2006	Sun		New Year´s Eve	Dec 31 2007	Mon		New Year´s Eve

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS

New Year´s Eve / Day
The beginning of a new year is celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1st. Just like in many other countries, there are big New Year’s Eve celebrations and at midnight there are fireworks as a salute to the New Year. January 1st, New Year’s Day, is a national public holiday.

Armistice Day 1918
Anniversary of the official end of World War I, November 11, 1918, commemorating the armistice signed between the Allies and Germany at Compiègne, France, marking the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front that took effect at eleven o'clock in the morning — the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month."

Mother's Day
Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. Mothers are given flowers and presents by their children.

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS

Advent (1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th)
Advent is the four weeks leading up to Christmas. The Latin word "adventus" means "arrival". It refers to the period of preparation for the coming of Jesus on the first day of Christmas. Many families have what is known as an "Adventskranz" ("Advent crown") with 4 candles. A candle is lit on each of the four Sundays of Advent. During Advent, sweet pastries are often eaten and Christmas decorations are put up around the home. An "Adventskalender" ("Advent Calendar") is often made or bought for children. The calendar has 24 windows with small presents or pictures behind each window, for each day from the 1st until the 24th of December, Christmas Eve.

All Saints´ Day
Christian day for honoring saints, known and unknown. A Holy Day of Obligation in the Roman Catholic Church where saints have special formal status. In general, saints are persons with reputation for unusual lives of holiness and devotion to God.

All Souls´ Day
The commemoration of all the faithful departed. The theological basis for the feast is the doctrine that the souls which, on departing from the body, are not perfectly cleansed from venial sins, or have not fully atoned for past transgressions, are debarred from the Beatific Vision, and that the faithful on earth can help them by prayers, almsdeeds and especially by the sacrifice of the Mass.

Ascension Day
Christian recognition of the departure of Jesus from earth after the resurrection. It is perhaps the earliest observed celebration in Christianity. It is observed with worship including prayers and music

Assumption Day
Roman Catholic Christian observance commemorating the belief that the Blessed Virgin Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life

Christmas
Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Observed by prayers, exchanging of gifts, and family parties

Christmas Eve
Christian celebration of the arrival of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem for for the birth of Jesus. It is observed with worship, candle lighting, manger scenes and festive meals

Corpus Christi
Christian (Roman Catholic) celebration in recognition of the Eucharist - the Blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ. The real presence of the body and blood of Jesus is honored

Easter / Easter Monday
The most holy of Christian sacred days. The day commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from his death by crucifixion. Observances include worship services beginning at sunrise, special music, feasting, and parades

Good Friday
Christian remembrance of the crucifixion of Jesus and related events

Whitsun / Whit Monday
Whitsun or Pentecost ("Pfingsten") is celebrated with Whit Sunday ("Pfingstsonntag") and Whit Monday ("Pfingstmonntag"). This is the 50th day after Easter. This commemorates the descent of the Holy Ghost among the apostles of Jesus, which was the starting point of their missionary work. Whitsun can therefore be described as the birthday of the church. Whit Monday is a public holiday.