Event Details
Carnival of Binche 2027 – Europe's Oldest Street Carnival
From 7 to 9 February 2027, the Belgian town of Binche in the province of Hainaut becomes the stage for one of the most extraordinary folk festivals in the world. The Carnival of Binche is recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity and is considered one of the oldest continuously celebrated street carnivals in Europe. The centrepiece of the three-day event is the orange-throwing parade of the Gilles on Shrove Tuesday, 9 February. Admission is free.
The Gilles – The Heart of the Carnival
The Gilles are the unmistakable central figures of the Binche Carnival. Only men with family ties to the town of Binche may take on this role. Their costume consists of a straw-padded suit embroidered with heraldic symbols, jingling bells and wooden clogs. In the morning, they wear distinctive wax masks featuring a moustache and green spectacles; in the afternoon, they change to their spectacular ostrich-feather headdresses, which can stand up to 90 centimetres tall and weigh three kilograms. Around 900 to 1,000 Gilles participate each year.
Program – Three Days of Carnival
Sunday, 7 February 2027 – Shrove Sunday
From 9:00 AM, violas, tambours and colourfully costumed revellers fill the streets of Binche. The Gilles do not yet appear in their traditional costume on this day. At 4:00 PM, the grand carnival procession departs from Avenue Wanderpepen, passes through Parc Derbaix and concludes at Avenue Charles Deliège at 6:00 PM.
Monday, 8 February 2027 – Shrove Monday
From 10:00 AM, youth groups accompanied by violas parade through the town. At 4:00 PM, the Friendship Rondeau takes place at the Grand-Place. The day closes with a fireworks display at Eugène Derbaix Square at 7:00 PM.
Tuesday, 9 February 2027 – Shrove Tuesday (Main Day)
From 8:30 AM, the Gilles, Paysans, Marins, Pierrots and Arlequins dance through the streets in their wax masks. They carry bundled willow twigs known as ramons to ward off evil spirits. From 3:00 PM, the grand orange-throwing parade departs from Square de Battignies: the Gilles now wear their towering ostrich-feather headdresses and throw blood oranges into the cheering crowd; the oranges are said to bring good luck. At 5:30 PM, the Rondeau gathers everyone at the Grand-Place. The evening closes with a Bengal lights parade from 8:00 PM and a fireworks finale at 9:30 PM.
History & UNESCO Recognition
The Carnival of Binche has a history spanning more than 600 years. Its roots date to the 14th century, with a pivotal moment in 1549 when Mary of Hungary hosted a lavish feast here in honour of Emperor Charles V, at which the Gilles' costumes are said to have been inspired by Inca-influenced attire. In 2003, UNESCO inscribed the Carnival of Binche on its list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, making it one of the very few street festivals in the world to hold this status.
Tickets & Admission
The Carnival of Binche is free to attend. All processions and street events are publicly accessible at no charge. No ticket or reservation is required to attend.
Getting There & Accommodation
Binche is located around 60 kilometres south of Brussels in the province of Hainaut. By train from Brussels-Midi via La Louvière-Sud, the journey takes approximately 90 minutes; a free shuttle bus connects La Louvière-Sud station with Binche town centre. Travelling by car is strongly discouraged due to road closures and extremely limited parking. Accommodation in Binche itself is minimal and books up months in advance. Recommended alternatives include La Louvière (7 km), Mons (20 km) and Charleroi (32 km).
Visitor Tips
- Stay alert during the orange-throwing parade on Shrove Tuesday; the oranges are thrown with considerable force.
- Families with small children should avoid the densest areas or choose grandstand spots at the edges of the procession route.
- Wear clothing you do not mind getting stained by orange juice and confetti.
- Dress in warm, waterproof layers and wear comfortable shoes for Binche's cobblestone streets.
- Book accommodation at least two to three months in advance.
- Arrive early: the start of the Gilles procession at 8:30 AM on Shrove Tuesday is one of the most atmospheric moments of the entire carnival.
- The soumonces (rehearsal parades) held in January offer a quieter alternative for visitors who prefer to avoid the Shrove Tuesday crowds.
