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Ommegang: The Grand Walkabout

History of Ommegang

Ommegang means walkabout in Flemish and it is a medieval-style procession across Brussels to the Grand Place. It originated in the fourteenth century as a religious event to celebrate the safe arrival of a statue of the Virgin Mary from Antwerp. Over the years it became more secular and grew in stature when Charles V and his family watched it in 1549.

What happens at Ommegang?

On the first Thursday of every July, over 2000 people dressed up and participate as flag throwers, jesters, courtiers, nobles, solders, fire eaters, stilt-fighters, or take part in the horse-parade and the jousting tournament. The procession ends with a dance from 9 pm until midnight in the Grand Place.

Tickets are expensive and get booked up very quickly indeed so it is imperative to book early. The spectators do not actually take part in the festival but watch from the tiered seating erected in the square. The most entertaining part of the evening is the stilt walker battle where each tries to knock another of their stilts. The last left standing wins. After the official close, the party continues well into the night in the city's bars and pubs.