Meyboom Brussels

Meyboom

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Carnival & ParadeBrussels
Dates9 August 2026Confirmed listing
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forMasks, paradesThe core ritual, planting a tree
LanguageFrench, Dutch, and local languagesCurrency: EUR
CategoryCarnival & ParadeFestival type
The story

Meyboom Brussels in Brussels

Meyboom is Brussels's oldest folk tradition, documented since 1308: a young beech tree is cut at dawn on 9 August and carried by a guild of Buumdroegers through several municipalities to be ceremonially planted before a five o'clock deadline. The ritual carries a centuries-old, still-active rivalry with the city of Leuven.

Brussels holds a legal deadline embedded in its own folklore: if the Meyboom, a young beech tree, is not planted by five in the afternoon on 9 August, the city loses a right it was granted in the fourteenth century by John II, Duke of Brabant, after Brussels defeated Leuven in a 1213 brawl.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The core ritual, planting a tree, is one of the oldest documented customs in Brussels, but what distinguishes it is the layered cast of ceremonial roles carried alongside it: Buumdroegers who bear the tree, Poepedroegers who carry giant ceremonial puppets, Meybloemekes handing out flowers, Kerstoempers pushing carts, and Gardevils playing city guards

02

The mystery stays covered

The tradition is also genuinely contested rather than purely symbolic: in 1974 a group of Leuven residents stole the tree Brussels had earmarked and planted it in front of Leuven's town hall, keeping alive a rivalry that traces back to a 1213 dispute between the two cities

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The Meyboom

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a young beech tree cut at dawn and ceremonially planted at the corner of the Rue des Sables by 5pm on 9 August

The sacred route

Living ritual

carried by the guild of Companions of St Lawrence acting as Buumdroegers (tree bearers)

The local code

Living ritual

accompanied by Poepedroegers (giant puppet bearers)

Tradition 5

Living ritual

Meybloemekes (flower-handing women)

Tradition 6

Living ritual

Kerstoempers (cart pushers) and Gardevils (city guards)

Tradition 7

Living ritual

The tradition carries a centuries-old rivalry with Leuven

Tradition 8

Living ritual

dating to a 1213 dispute

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

9 August 2026

Getting around

Expect street closures, dense pedestrian flow, and slow exits. Comfortable shoes are essential.

What to wear

Comfortable walking shoes matter more than costume-specific gear here, since following the procession means covering real distance across several municipalities rather than standing in one...

Safety

Meyboom Brussels is easier when valuables are secure and the group knows where to meet if separated.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Brussels you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

Many carnival moments are public, but confirm paid areas or stands before travel.

Language/currency

EUR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map50.85 N, 4.35 EOpen in Google Maps

Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium

Nearest airportBRU — Brussels
TransportExpect street closures, dense pedestrian flow, and slow exits. Comfortable shoes are essential.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Brussels you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Brussels via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Brussels, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for August.Compare faresFestival gearComfortable walking shoes matter more than costume-specific gear here, since following the procession means covering real distance across several municipalities rather than standing in one dense crowd. Light, breathable clothing suits the August timing better than layers.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Belgium and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Meyboom Brussels?

Meyboom Brussels is listed for 9 August 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Meyboom Brussels take place?

The festival is listed in Brussels, Belgium. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLbrussel.be
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates9 August 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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