Another important day is the Anniversary of the Battle of the Golden Spurs on July 11. This Belgium flower festival is one of the most unique festivals in Brussels. Christmas presents are placed underneath the tree to be opened in the morning. On this day, like stated above, a feast is normally taken place with friends and family as a cultural tradition. Belgians also celebrate Advent, which is the period of four Sundays before Christmas celebrating the coming of Jesus. Allow the loaves to rise until they have doubled in size. St. Nicholas […] Advent wreaths and crowns are made from fir or leylandii greenery, with four candles, each candle lit represents a week counting down to Christmas. They countdown to the new year, and wish each other the best for the coming year, and reign in the new year with fireworks and celebration. One of the most important and enduring traditions of the Belgium wedding is for the bride to carry a specially embroidered handkerchief that has her name embroidered on it. On New Year’s Day, children read their New Years Letters for their parents. Men's tailored suits did not become popular until the 19th century. Holiday Traditions of Belgium "Merry Christmas" In Belgium, there are actually two Santa Claus figures. The night before, children leave their shoes in front of the fireplace, along with a gift for St. Nicholas, his horse, and his mischievous helper, Zwarte Piet, or Black Peter. However, some employers do award a day's holiday in accordance with union negotiations. Things to see in Belgium The art you see on your plate complements the beautiful architecture of Belgium’s urban areas and its rural parts. Belgian National Holiday The Belgian Day, also the Belgian Independence Day, is celebrated on July 21 with big festivities in Brussels, the highlight for most people being the military parade. Labor Day on 1 May and World War I Armistice Day are national holidays. This celebration is held only one time in 5 years. … If 25 December falls on a weekend, then a nearby weekday may be taken as a holiday in lieu. For dessert, there’s the traditional Christmas Log, made of sponge roll layered with chocolate butter cream made to resemble a yule log. Here are some facts about Belgian Christmas traditions, customs and celebrations. There is good foot tapping at the dance floor and most of the restaurants and bars are filled with merry-making people. Place the dough into a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap or a damp towel, and allow it to rise for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size. Belgians decorate their towns, homes, and Christmas trees with lights, baubles, garlands, reindeer, even even likenesses of St. Nick himself. The towering cathedral in Tournai soars above red-roofed buildings and casts a shadow over the main square. Lightly grease 2 cookie sheets, divide the dough into 6 balls, and divide them into two sets of 3 and place each set on a sheet. Independence Day Boys often paired pantalettes with both the tunics and dresses. You cannot use this module until you edit the available options. Folkloric as can be, the tradition has been around since the 14th century. One tradition is the Three Wise Men Pie called the Galette des rots, decorated with a gold paper crown on top. Ommegang Festival takes place on the streets of the capital, and falls into the category of folk festivals. Apparently lots of traditions related to food :-) * The first Monday after 6th of January on ‘Verloren Maandag’ or ‘Lundi Perdu’ (Lost Monday) we eat ‘worstebroden’ and “Appelbollen” (apple ‘dumplings’ and sausage rolls).