When are the 2013 Belgium Holidays?

If you're traveling to Belgium, it's good to keep Belgium holidays in mind. While most tourist attractions remain open during holidays (except for December 25 and January 1), holidays do affect tourists in terms of travel plans, congested highways, store closures and special events.

Build A Bridge
Europeans do love their holidays and will take any chance they get to 'build a bridge' from the holiday to the closest weekend. For example, if the holiday falls on a Thursday (like Christmas 2008), then many Belgians will take off the following Friday and enjoy a four-day weekend.

Avoid Congested Roads
During Belgium holidays (especially the warm-weather holidays), the following roads/highways can be congested:
1. The ring about Brussels
2. The E-40 to Bruges
3. The E-411 to Luxembourg
Our advice: avoid these highways at peak travel times.

Store Closures
If you enjoy going to local grocery stores when you're traveling, be sure to visit the store the day before a major Belgian holiday. On most major holidays, the stores will be closed. You can, however, shop at one of the smaller stores such as GB Express or Delhaize and find the necessities of life such as bread, milk and other items.

Celebrate with the Belgians
As the saying goes, 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do.' If you happen to be in Belgium during a holiday, the Grand Place is often the center of a celebration. You can find out what's going on during the holiday by visiting the Tourist Bureau in the Grand Place or checking back with this website. We'll try to keep you updated as well!

Below, please find a list of major Belgian holidays for 2012.

New Year's Day
January 01

Easter
March 31

Easter Monday
April 1

May Day/Labor Day
May 01

Mother's Day
May 5

Ascension Day
May 09

Pentecost
May 19

Pentecost Monday (Whit Monday)
May 20

Father's Day
June 06

Festival of the Flemish
July 11

Belgian National Day
July 21