Tournai embraces you in its tradition and folklore...
Tournai, a festive city!
There are many folk events and celebrations that highlight the life of the people of Tournai : tradition with the Lost Monday, celebration with the Garden Party or culture with Art in the City, ... You will have a wide choice among all the events of the year!
LOST MONDAY
A great convivial moment to share with the Tournaisiens who celebrate this traditional festival. After drawing the « Billets des Rois », the King, the Fool, the Servant and other allocated sit down for a joyous banquet, with mutiau, rabbit and the Tournai salad on the menu.
TOURNAI RAMDAM FESTIVAL
The film festival that disturbs, of international fame. On the programme: films that question and reflect the world of yesterday and today, here and elsewhere. The Naiad is the trophy awarded to the film that wins the festival: a miniature of the statue of the naked lady created by the Tournai sculptor George Grard who has long "disturbed" a predominantly Catholic city.
TOURNAI JAZZ FESTIVAL
The originality of this festival is to try to introduce Jazz in all its forms to an as wide as possible audience. Jazz workshops are presented to both children and adults.
CARNIVAL OF TOURNAI
It is held the 3rd Saturday before Easter and gathers more than 200 societies. Tribute to the Naiad, release of balloons, throwing pichous from the top of the belfry, cremation of the king and a ball are included in this festive day’s programme, introduced the previous day by « La Nuit des Intrigues », an interactive show produced by local artists.
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GREAT FLOWERS MARKET
Dating back to 1825, on good Friday, it is organised to celebrate the end of Lent and the return of spring. More than a hundred gardeners animate this sumptuous colourful market. This tradition, which is dear to the Tournaisiens, annually attracts a large crowd coming both from Wallonie Picarde and the North of France.
BEER FESTIVAL
The opportunity to taste more than hundred Belgian beers. Nearly 30 brewers of our region, including local ones, invite you to taste their production in the prestigious setting of the Halle aux Draps on the Grand Place of Tournai.. Free admission.
MARCHE À BÂTON
On Easter Monday, the Tournaisiens and visitors march to the top of the Mont Saint-Aubert (147 m) where they can admire splendid views of Tournai and the surrounding countryside. Traces of this pilgrimage on the slopes of the Mont Saint-Aubert can already be found in the 14th century, but the name of this market originates from the 19th century custom developed by the Tournai youth who arrived at the top of the mount, cut branches in the surrounding woods and began peaceful jousts with those improvised weapons.
I LOVE ACCORDION
Every year on Ascension,between the Cathedral quarter and the Scheldt, from the right bank to the left bank, Tournai vibrates to the sound of the accordion. In the bars and on the streets, styles vary: jazz, rock and folk, musette, gypsy and klezmer. The atmosphere is festive and allows various generations that love accordion music to meet in a friendly atmosphere
TOURNAI FESTIVE
Tournai is in festive mood at the Ascension! On the programme: a series of concerts for all tastes and genres and a day organised especially for children... annual festivities that brighten the city of the five bell towers.
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GARDEN PARTY
Tournai invites you to a "black, yellow, red" day on the Belgian national holiday. A large Garden Party is organised in the city park with all the ingredients for a successful popular party: many made in Belgium food products offered by local merchants, music and family entertainment: dance demonstrations, make-up workshop, trampoline, pony ride, train ride,... The day ends with the traditional fireworks fired from the park.
TOURNAI-LES-BAINS
On the banks of the river Scheldt, 1000 m² of sand, sun loungers, relaxation, concerts, sports, meals, bouncy castles, workshops and activities for young and old, and much more...
LES RENCONTRES INATTENDUES - UNEXPECTED
Festival of philosophy and music, in and around an exceptional heritage site, the Cathedral of Tournai. In a spirit of encounter, of tolerance, openness to other cultures.
400 BELLS
Over a week-end in September, allow you to discover the heritage sites free of charge linked to the topic of the year “waterways, roads and railroads”. On the morning of Sunday, the great Procession will go through the streets of Tournai for the 925th time. Shrines and statues, true treasures of religious art are carried by many faithful. The Great Procession was instituted in 1092 to thank our Lady for saving the city from the plague. In the afternoon, processions of giants,lush floral floats and various folk groups take over the city. On Monday, the annual flea market is held at the centre of the city.
ART IN THE CITY FESTIVAL
Every year, in the month of October, art invades the city of Tournai and its region! Pictorial and poetic interventions, photos, sculptures, ceramics, design, textile research... Artists take over the city of the 5 towers. All the exhibitions presented for free in cultural venues, art galleries, in private homes, in unusual places or around street corners to offer visitors an overview of contemporary art. Art in the City encourages synergy between the various actors and leaves much space to young designers and the integration of new technologies. Throughout the event the public will see a flurry of activity: exhibition openings, last days, performances, meetings with artists, guided tours, workshops...
TOURNAI WINTER
Christmas markets, Christmas scenes at the Museum of the Arts of puppetry, concerts and entertainment,...
