- Folklore and Tradition
Cwarmê is a fantastic carnival stretching over 4 days of festivities. This event, well ingrained in the Walloon tradition, is famous for its fascinating masks: no less than 15 different characters.
Program of the oldest Belgian carnival
- Saturday: the "Giant Police" open the festivities, followed by a folkloric procession. The Trouv'lê character receives a grain shovel from the mayor (a symbol of renewal) and will reign over the city until the Tuesday evening
- Sunday: dance of the Haguètes (the main characters of the carnival) and the Arlequins, followed by a large procession (with over 1,500 persons in costume and traditional mask)
- Monday: named day of "Roles", satirical scenes played in the street followed by a procession
- Mardi Gras: day of the Mâssis Tour, a procession gathering the many carnival guilds. A character named the Hag`guète will be burnt on the bonfire at the end of the day, thus closing the festivities
We do our best to keep you informed. It's best, however, to check the latest news with the attraction you are visiting, or operator you have booked an activity with. Read our travel advice.
This information is given for indication purposes only, best to check with the site you hope to visit before heading there - by phone, email, social media or simply by visiting their website.
From Saturday 14 to Tuesday 17 February 2026
- Saturday: the festivities begin at 9am.
- Sunday: the Haguètes gather at 12:30pm and the folk procession starts at 2pm.
- Monday: the “Roles” day begins at 11am.
- Tuesday: the guilds go out individually at 2pm and the Haguète is burned at 7pm.
