Flags on holidays in Belgium
Published Written by Flagpole Guides
This page is an English translation of the Dutch original. Where the two versions differ, the Dutch text is the original.
Public holidays and flag days do not always coincide in Belgium. The royal decree on flag flying mainly follows the Royal Family, the national holiday and international commemorations, while the public holidays are largely religious festivals. In addition, each community and region has its own feast day. This guide sets them side by side.
The national holiday on 21 July
On 21 July 1831, Leopold I, the first King of the Belgians, took the constitutional oath. A law of 27 May 1890 made 21 July the national holiday. The Belgian Monarchy describes how the day is celebrated in Brussels, with a military and civilian parade and fireworks.
The royal decree of 5 July 1974 lists 21, 22 and 23 July as flag days for the Belgian and the European flag. Around the national holiday, many private individuals also fly the tricolour.
The feast days of the communities and regions
| Date | Feast day | Commemorates, according to Belgium.be |
|---|---|---|
| 8 May | Feast day of the Brussels-Capital Region | Iris Day |
| 11 July | Feast day of the Flemish Community | The Battle of the Golden Spurs near Kortrijk in 1302 |
| Third Sunday of September | Feast day of the Walloon Region | Feast day of the Walloon Region |
| 27 September | Feast day of the French Community | The victory of the patriots over the Dutch troops in Brussels Park in 1830 |
| 15 November | Feast day of the German-speaking Community | The day of the King's Feast |
On these days the community's or region's own flag is flown on public buildings in its area. The details are in the guide on flag rules.
The ten public holidays
According to the FPS Employment, Belgium has ten public holidays. The table shows which are also flag days under the royal decree of 1974.
| Holiday | 2026 | 2027 | Flag day |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January | 1 January | No |
| Easter Monday | 6 April | 29 March | No |
| Labour Day | 1 May | 1 May | Yes |
| Ascension Day | 14 May | 6 May | No |
| Whit Monday | 25 May | 17 May | No |
| National holiday | 21 July | 21 July | Yes |
| Assumption Day | 15 August | 15 August | No |
| All Saints' Day | 1 November | 1 November | No |
| Armistice Day | 11 November | 11 November | Yes (Belgian flag only) |
| Christmas Day | 25 December | 25 December | No |
The King's Feast on 15 November
On 15 November, the King's Feast, the Belgian and the European flag are flown on public buildings. The German-speaking Community chose the same date for its own feast day. In the German-language area, the flag of the German-speaking Community is therefore also flown that day.
Flags on holidays as a private individual
Private individuals can fly a flag on any holiday, including days that are not official flag days. Around 21 July and 11 July the Belgian and the Flemish flag are often seen, and around the Fêtes de Wallonie the Walloon cockerel. Anyone flying several flags can follow the order of the official flags set out in the guide on flag protocol. All flag days with their weekday are in the guide on flag days.
Frequently asked questions
Why is 21 July the national holiday?
On 21 July 1831, Leopold I, the first King of the Belgians, took the constitutional oath. A law of 27 May 1890 set the national holiday on 21 July. The royal decree on flag flying lists 21, 22 and 23 July as flag days.
Is every public holiday a flag day?
No. Of the ten public holidays, only 1 May, 21 July and 11 November are also flag days under the royal decree of 1974. New Year's Day, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, 15 August, All Saints' Day and Christmas Day are not.
Which flag is flown on 11 July?
On 11 July, the feast day of the Flemish Community, the Flemish flag is flown on public buildings in the Dutch-language area and on the buildings of Flemish institutions in Brussels. According to circular VR 2015/37, the Belgian and the European flag may fly alongside it.
What is marked on 27 September?
The feast day of the French Community, which calls itself the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. According to Belgium.be, the date recalls the victory of the patriots over the Dutch troops in Brussels Park in 1830.
Sources
This guide is based on the following sources, most of them in Dutch:
- National holiday and holidays of the communities and regions – Belgium.be
- Feestdagen – FPS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue
- Koninklijk besluit van 5 juli 1974 betreffende de bevlagging van de openbare gebouwen – Justel (FPS Justice)
- Omzendbrief VR 2015/37 over de bevlagging van de openbare gebouwen – Flemish Government
- Symbols – The Belgian Monarchy
Related guides
- Flag daysAll flag days in Belgium for 2026 and 2027: the days of the royal decree of 1974 and the feast days of the communities and regions, with the weekday.
- Flag rulesThe rules for flying flags in Belgium: the royal decree of 1974, the decrees of the communities and regions, and flag flying by private individuals.
- Flag symbolismWhere black, yellow and red come from, what article 193 of the Constitution says, why the bands are vertical and what the lion, cockerel and iris stand for.
- Flag protocolThe order of precedence of flags in Belgium: Belgian, Flemish, European, provincial and municipal flags, the position of the poles and the order of anthems.