Binche Carnival
- Binche, Belgium
Your Essential Guide to the Binche Carnival 2025
The Binche Carnival is a three-day celebration where traditions and folklore take center stage. Recognized as a UNESCO cultural heritage, this carnival is one of Belgium’s most famous and one of the oldest and most unique carnivals in the world.
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LOCATION
Binche, Belgium
DATE
February 23-25, 2025
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When is the Binche Carnival 2025?
The Binche Carnival is a pre-Lenten carnival that takes place in the three days leading up to Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. The Binche Carnival 2025 runs from Sunday, February 23, to Tuesday, February 25.
Where is the Binche Carnival Held?
Binche is a small Walloon city located in the Belgian province of Hainaut, with a population of around 33,000 inhabitants.
What is the Binche Carnival?
The Binche Carnival is a pre-Lenten event rooted in a long tradition that existed even before written records. This carnival is based on local folklore, giving participants a sense of pride and uniqueness.
Virtually nothing has changed in the carnival over the centuries. The costumes, customs, and rituals are so old that they trace back to pagan traditions. The Binche Carnival is a charming event that has captured the world’s attention and is well worth mentioning in any discussion of great carnivals.
The History of the Binche Carnival
Why is the Binche Carnival celebrated? The history of the Binche Carnival remains largely unknown. Some speculate that the carnival may have been linked to a parade organized by Maria of Hungary for her brother Charles V in 1549, who lived in a castle whose ruins still stand in the center of Binche.
In any case, the festival is closely associated with Catholic Easter celebrations, which is why it takes place before the start of Lent. The Binche Carnival is so important in Belgium that preparations last an entire year.
The Gilles
The main character of the Binche Carnival is the Gilles. It is a true honor to be a Gilles in Belgium, with people investing significant time and money into this role. The Gilles are clowns or mythical creatures characterized by their elaborate costumes, wax masks, and wooden footwear.
The Gilles primarily appear on Carnival Tuesday, where you can see up to 1,000 Gilles at once. The Gilles are mostly men, ranging in age from 3 to 50 years old. Women also play an important role, often dressing in elaborate hats that change each year.
Although the first documented accounts of Gilles date back to the 18th century, scholars cannot pinpoint exactly when the tradition began. However, many urban legends surround the carnival, adding to its mystique. One of the most popular legends was created by journalist Adolphe Delmée, who suggested that the Gilles might have descended from the Incas, brought to Belgium by the Royal Court of Hungary in 1548. While not everyone agrees with this theory, it is often promoted to lend more legitimacy to the carnival’s history.
Carnival Schedule
Carnival Sunday
The carnival celebrations begin on Sunday when the Gilles, peasants, pierrots, and harlequins wake up early to dress in their costumes and parade around Binche. Each society or group wears a costume related to a theme, usually prepared in secret over several months. The costumes range from pop culture references to politics, other cultures, or current events.
Carnival Monday
Carnival Monday is all about the youth of Binche. Everyone parades from café to café, culminating in a massive confetti battle in the city center. Children also take part in this parade, which ends with a grand fireworks display. This day is more family-oriented, focusing on the younger generation.
Carnival Tuesday
After two days of celebrations, the Binche Carnival is ready for its most important and traditional day—Carnival Tuesday.
The entire city of Binche wakes up before 4 AM to ensure that the carnival characters come to life. Children transform into pierrots, harlequins, or little Gilles, while adults don peasant costumes.
This is the only day when the Gilles make their appearance in their colorful costumes and wooden shoes. It’s essential to add straw to their costumes to make them look larger. Gilles never walk without a drum.
At 7 AM, a champagne and oyster breakfast is served throughout Binche, followed by the societies or bands dancing in the streets leading to the main square. The Gilles perform rituals and stomp their sabots (wooden shoes) in unison against the cobblestones to drive winter out of the city.
At 3 PM, a parade begins, during which all the Gilles march through the city, throwing oranges to the crowd. The oranges symbolize good luck, so be ready to catch at least one.
At 8 PM, all the carnival characters come together to form a giant rondo in the main square of Binche, accompanied by musicians playing traditional songs of the celebration. As night falls, flares are lit to illuminate the square, and the shadows of the Gilles are projected onto the buildings and the town hall—a spectacle that will leave you in awe.
This event marks the closing of the Binche Carnival, which ends with fireworks as the grand finale, and with the motto «Plus Oultre,» translated as «further beyond,» embracing the spirit of taking risks and striving for excellence.
Where to Stay During the Binche Carnival?
Binche is not a large city, so it doesn’t really matter where you stay, as it’s easy to get to the carnival from anywhere in the city. However, if you want to be close to the action, stay near the Grand Place so you can easily walk to the carnival. Remember to book early, as this carnival attracts visitors from all over the world!
What to Do in Binche
Binche is a highly recommended place to visit, with many attractions, such as the Collegiate Church of Saint-Ursmer, the Musée international du Carnaval et du Masque, and the Ancient Ramparts of the City of Binche.
How to Get to the Binche Carnival?
The nearest airport to Binche is Charleroi, a small airport with many connections to other European cities. You can also fly into Brussels, a much larger and better-connected airport. From Brussels, you can take several buses or trains to Binche.
How to Get Around Binche?
There are several free options provided by the city of Binche that operate during the carnival. It’s also possible to reach the carnival by bus or train.
Make sure to experience the magic and tradition of the Binche Carnival—it’s an event that will leave you with unforgettable memories!
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