French Community Holiday in Belgium in 2024

French Community Holiday in Belgium in 2024
Flags on city hall building in Mons, capital of the Wallonian province of Hainaut in Belgium. Image by anibaltrejo , via 123RF
  How long until French Community Holiday?
French Community Holiday
  Dates of French Community Holiday in Belgium
2025 Sep 27
Brabant wallonSat, Sep 27Regional Holiday
HainautSat, Sep 27Regional Holiday
LiègeSat, Sep 27Regional Holiday
LuxemburgSat, Sep 27Regional Holiday
NamurSat, Sep 27Regional Holiday
2024 Sep 27
Brabant wallonFri, Sep 27Regional Holiday
HainautFri, Sep 27Regional Holiday
LiègeFri, Sep 27Regional Holiday
LuxemburgFri, Sep 27Regional Holiday
NamurFri, Sep 27Regional Holiday
2023 Sep 27
Brabant wallonWed, Sep 27Regional Holiday
HainautWed, Sep 27Regional Holiday
LiègeWed, Sep 27Regional Holiday
LuxemburgWed, Sep 27Regional Holiday
NamurWed, Sep 27Regional Holiday
2022 Sep 27
Brabant wallonTue, Sep 27Regional Holiday
HainautTue, Sep 27Regional Holiday
LiègeTue, Sep 27Regional Holiday
LuxemburgTue, Sep 27Regional Holiday
NamurTue, Sep 27Regional Holiday
2021 Sep 27
Brabant wallonMon, Sep 27Regional Holiday
HainautMon, Sep 27Regional Holiday
LiègeMon, Sep 27Regional Holiday
LuxemburgMon, Sep 27Regional Holiday
  Summary

On 24 June 1975, the date of 27 September was selected by the French Community as French Community Day. It was first celebrated later that same year

  Which regions observe French Community Holiday in 2024?
National Holiday Regional Holiday Not a public holiday Govt Holiday

When is French Community Day?

The Belgian French Community Holiday is a regional holiday in Belgium always celebrated on September 27th.

In Belgium, the French Community refers to one of the three constituent constitutional linguistic communities. Since 2011, the French Community has used the name Wallonia-Brussels Federation. The French Community of Belgium makes up about 40% of the total population of Belgium.

History of French Community Day

From the start of the nineteenth century, Belgians had become increasingly unhappy under the rule of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands.

On the evening of August 25th 1830, a performance of Daniel Auber's patriotic opera 'La Muette de Portici', led to revolution. The performance caused a riot, and the crowd poured into the streets after the opera ended, shouting patriotic slogans, and quickly taking control of government buildings.

The moderate Crown Prince William, who represented the monarchy in Brussels, announced on 1 September that the administrative separation of the north and south was the only workable solution to the crisis. His father, King William I, rejected this proposal and attempted to restore the establishment order by force.

The royal army was unable to retake Brussels after vicious street fighting from September 23rd to 26th. A provisional government was declared in Brussels on September 26th, and the Dutch troops retreated during the night of the 26th-27th.

The Flemish Community observes a community day, on July 11th, called the Battle of the Golden Spurs, commemorating a victory over the French in 1302.

It is interesting to note that the French Community Holiday celebrates the victory of French-speaking Belgians over the Dutch army, while the Flemish Community Holiday celebrates the victory of Dutch-speaking Belgians over the French army.

How is French Community Day Celebrated?

On June 24th 1975, the date of September 27th was selected by the French Community as French Community Day. It was first celebrated later that same year.

Schools close for the holiday, although some businesses may stay open. The day is celebrated with free concerts featuring francophone acts, throughout the French Community, in cities such as Brussels, Mons, Namur, and Huy. Theatrical performances and sporting events may also take place in some areas.


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