Every year, 1 May sees the closing of shops and businesses around Brussels in celebration of workers rights and the achievements of the international labour movement.
A bank holiday in Belgium since 1889, it might not be the ideal day to get the shopping done – but does present an array of events from live concerts to street parties and protests.
Bands, beer and workers' rights
At the heart of Labour Day celebrations in Brussels, the socialist trade union FGTB's annual World Music Festival takes over Mont des Arts again with free concerts, stalls by NGOs, trade unions and political parties from all over the world.
This year will spotlight performances from Alek et les Japonaises, Super Ska, Turdus Philomelos and more, ushering attendees on a trip around the globe.
A performance by the 'Dissidence' collective at 14:00 promises to be a highlight, combining electronic music with activism through DJ sets where music, social struggles and slogans are intertwined to carry the voices of those fighting for justice.
Labour Day celebrations at Mont Des Arts in 2022. Credit: The Brussels Times
With three varying villages – the Trade Union Village, Village Associatif, and Solidaris Children's Area – all interests are accounted for, whether that be liaising with unions or bouncy castles.
Non-profit organisations Habiter Bruxelles, CCB/Cepag BXL, Comité Femmes, Comité Antifa, and more will offer talks and provide opportunities to meet like minded individuals, eager for social change.
Find more information here.
Vooruit's One May
The Brussels chapter of the Flemish socialists, Vooruit, are organising their own celebration with the free One May festival in various locations in Brussels.
The day will begin at 08:30 with a breakfast at the Everna Community Centre in Evere, before a number of politicians including City of Brussels State Secretary Ans Persoons and Union Secretary Dries Vreven from ABVV will give speeches at the 'family moment' at the Randstad Service Center in the municipality of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean around 11:00.
Credit: Kaat Van Stralen
Children's entertainment will be provided as well as a family lunch. A vibrant parade will then set off at 13:00 towards the central Rue du Marché aux Porcs in Saint Catherine, with an exclusive soundtrack of rhythms provided by the Fanfakids marching band and scenic viewing along the route. The main celebration will then begin at 14:15 at Brussels Pig Market near the Brussels Bourse.
Headlined by rock musicians the Guy Swinnen Band and featuring Brussels-born Phoenician Drive, the city will swarm with the sounds of vivid Belgian talent. Democratically priced beers will add to the energetic atmosphere accompanied by Asian and Belgian style cuisine food trucks and children's entertainment and face-painting.
Find more information here.
Other celebrations
Additionally, Saint-Gilles based venue Pianofabriek hosts its 'Fort en Fête' event on Rue de Fort – a flea market & food market all in one with painting and reworking workshops for adults and children.
Concerts will feature the talents of Drummin' Birds, Selva, MTV Bazaar, and Romain Cupper, with karaoke and DJ sets kicking off later into the evening. Find more information here.
The militant Alliance for the 1 May has arranged a revolutionary protest demonstration and village area to bring together like-minded individuals on the one of the most important days in the socialist calendar.
The march begins at Saint-Gilles' Carré de Moscou and will wrap up at Place du Jeu de Balle in the Marolles at 16:00, where there will be food stalls, booksellers, a childcare area, and live music until the sun goes down. Find more information here.
What's open?
A total of four marches will take place in the city centre for Labour Day, making the area difficult to navigate by car.
As per tradition, the 1 May always sees the suspension of bank, post office, and public and administrative services. Postal points located in convenience stores may be accessible depending on whether or not the store is open.
Belgium public transport systems, including national railway service SNCB/NMBS, bus services De Lijn and TEC and STIB/MIVB, may be affected due to Labour Day, running on par with reduced Sunday services.
On 2 May, the P train that provides additional services during morning and evening rush hours will be suspended due to expected lighter traffic. De Lijn and STIB/MIVB services will run, although the latter will run infrequently.
Credit: Belga / Eric Lalmand
Public museums will be closed on 1 May, although the Atomium and Mini-Europe theme park stay open. The privately-owned Van Buuren museum near Uccle welcomes visitors to visit to the property's gardens and Art Deco architectural marvel. Cinephiles will be happy to hear that an array of cinemas will remain open including Cinema Aventure, Cinema Galeries and UGC.
The majority of supermarkets, malls, and retail stores will be closed across the country although some local boutiques and shops will keep their doors open. Some Carrefour, Delhaize, Intermarché, and Spar shops will be open with adjusted hours for last minute groceries. A selection of restaurants and bars will remain open. It is advised to check online hours.
Continuous services will operate as normal including fire brigades, the police (although they will not be available for administrative matters) residential care centres. Most pharmacies will be closed although each municipality should have an on-duty pharmacist for those in urgent need.
The nearest on-duty pharmacy can be found here.
