Everyone in Belgium may celebrate Independence Day on 21 July, but throughout the year localities around the country have their own folklore traditions. There are literally hundreds if not thousands of festivals - secular and religious - that are worth seeing. Here are some not to be missed.

Andenne Bear Carnival
If you like stuffed bears, head to this Wallonian town for April 2012 for the annual Bear Carnival. Always held three weeks before Easter, this event celebrates young Charles Martel's victory against a bear who was terrorising the area. A young boy at the time, Martel was the grandson of Sainte-Begge, credited with founding Andenne in 684. Some 2,000 people - including many in bear costumes, of course - participate in a parade. The highlight is the throwing of 250 cuddly toy bears from the town hall balcony.
www.andenne.be

Ath Parade of the Giants
Also known as the Ducasse, the annual Parade of the Giants in this otherwise sleepy town is good old-fashioned fun for young and old. Always held the fourth weekend of August, 2011, this medieval pagenat celebrates the wedding of Monsier and Madame Gouyasse (Goliath), including a ceremony at Saint Julian's church, after which Goliath fights the shepherd David in front of the town hall. During the Sunday parade, onlookers throw coins at the dancing giants for good luck. Don't leave without buying a traditional "Masteilles" tart.
www.ath.be.
 
Beselare Witch Parade
This festival dates back to 1959, when a few local enthusiasts decided it would be fun to brew up an annual witches' party. With some evidence of a witch trial that once took place in this Flemish town, there's some rationale for the festival. The parade, featuring more than 1,000 costumed participants, showcases witches from well-known fairy tales as well as local legendary characters like Sefa Bubbels, Meele Crotte and Leeme Caduul. Music and dancing goes on all night, culminating with the nail-biting recreation of a witch trial. Held every two years, the next one happens 31 July 2011.
www.heksenstoet.be

Binche Carnival
Once a year, this town in Hainaut province lets its hair down to party hardy before the 40-day Lenten period. The highlight is Mardi-Gras, the day before Ash Wednesday, when the gilles come out decked in elaborate costumes (made new every year) featuring the Belgian national colours of black, red and yellow. During the main parades, they throw oranges to the cheering crowd. Recognised in 2003 by UNESCO as a 'masterpiece of oral and intangible patrimony of humanity," the Binche carnival is serious merrymaking and pageantry at its finest.
www.binche.be.

Bruges Procession of the Holy Blood
The Procession of the Holy Blood celebrates a relic believed to contain blood washed from the body of Christ. Legend has it that Derick of Alsace, Count of Flanders, was given the rock-crystal vial in 1148, during the Second Crusade, who brought it back to Bruges. Every year on Ascension Day (2 June, 2011), some 50,000 pilgrims come to see the vial paraded around the city in a moving procession that dates back to the 13th cetury. If you don't make it to the next procession on 25 May 2006, the relic can be viewed in the Basilica of the Holy Blood. 
www.holyblood.org.

Brussels Ommegang
The mother of all folklore traditions, the Ommegang (whose name comes from Flemish words 'omme,' or around, and 'gang,' or walk) is Belgium's grandest pageant. It happens every year July 5 and July 7, 2011 in central Brussels, recreating a an event held on 2 June 1549 in honour of Emperor Charles V and his infant son Philip, Crown Prince of Spain and Duke of Brabant.

Every year some 2,000 persons --  many of them descendants of the original participants -- decked in magnificent costumes take part in the procession from the Place du Grand'Sablon to the Grand'Place. Knights on horseback, historic baners and a lively stilt-fight make for a good show. Tickets for a coveted spot on the Grand'Place are snapped up quickly, so purchase well in advance from the central tourist office.
www.ommegang.be

Dinant International Bathtub Regatta
On15 August, 2011 marks the annual International Bathtub Regatta, a wacky event. The regatta is made up of a fleet of floating bathtubs with unusual and original decorations.

These remarkable vessels make for an interesting contest for the 20,000 souls who turn up to watch.
http://baignoires.canalblog.com

Paul Morris / Expatica