Easter Monday
Historical Context
Easter Monday is an official public holiday that falls on a different date each year, always the day after Easter Sunday. The date is calculated based on the first full moon after 21 March.
The Christian Easter festival commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and has its roots in the Jewish Passover. The precise date has been determined by a lunar calendar since the Council of Nicaea in 325: Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring. In the Southern Netherlands, Easter also marked the start of the new year until Philip II ended that practice in 1575. Easter Monday has been one of the ten statutory public holidays since 1948.
The Easter egg hunt in the garden is the big tradition for children. In the French-speaking tradition, it is the church bells that bring the eggs: they fly to Rome on Holy Thursday and return at Easter laden with chocolate. In Flanders, the Easter bunny is more commonly credited with hiding the eggs. Belgian chocolatiers run at full capacity in the weeks before Easter, with houses like Neuhaus, Leonidas and Côte d'Or releasing special collections each year. Many families combine the Easter breakfast or brunch with a walk through the spring greenery.
Regional Traditions
Wallonia
In French-speaking Belgium, it is not the Easter bunny but the church bells that bring the eggs. According to tradition, the bells fly to Rome on Holy Thursday and return at Easter laden with chocolate.
Ardennes
In the Ardennes, the Easter weekend revolves around local produce. Smoked meats, artisanal cheeses and pate take centre stage on the festive table, often combined with a walk through the spring countryside.
Lembeek
The Sint-Veroon March is the last surviving military procession in Flanders. Around 500 to 600 "Easter soldiers" in Belle Époque uniforms escort a silver reliquary on an 18 km march through the village. Flemish Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2019.
Hakendover
The international Horse Procession dates back to the 7th century. After High Mass, hundreds of riders in historical garments parade through the streets, followed by a herd of horses galloping past the altar three times. Over 20,000 visitors annually.
Herve
The Grande Cavalcade of Herve is one of the most impressive processions in the province of Liège. All floats are pulled by over 150 Ardennais and Brabançon draft horses. Running since 1867, it draws more than 50,000 spectators.
Lessines
The Procession of the Penitents on Good Friday is the only one in northern Europe depicting the burial of Christ. Hooded penitents in burlap robes carry the body of Christ by torchlight through the darkened streets. A tradition since 1475.