Most people in Belgium will have today off for Easter Monday, which is one of the ten official public holidays in the country. This year, the day also marks the last day of Easter holidays before pupils in Dutch-speaking education have to go back to school.
The main Easter celebration officially falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the beginning of the astronomical spring. On this day, many people in Belgium traditionally celebrate the holiday with a large family Easter brunch.
Most practising Christians, who celebrate Jesus' resurrection, attend church services in which the Easter story is told on Sunday. But the Monday after Easter also holds religious significance for Christians: it is a day of joy following the day Jesus Christ was resurrected.
In the village of Lembeek (in Halle, just outside Brussels), a traditional community festival named the Sint-Veroonmars or 'Easter Procession' takes place. This is a one-of-a-kind celebration and is officially recognised as Flemish intangible heritage.
Meanwhile, in Hakendover (Tienen), the Horse Procession will take place, a serene procession full of colourful historical figures, statues, brass bands, people singing and praying and, of course, horses.
What's (not) open today?
As with other public holidays in Belgium, public and administrative services will not operate on Easter Monday, and neither will banks (online banking remains possible). Postal services are also closed for the day, meaning no letters, packages or newspapers will be delivered.
Belgium's national railway service SNCB, bus service De Lijn and Brussels public transport company STIB will continue to operate during the bank holiday, but at a reduced Sunday service schedule.
As for groceries, the vast majority of supermarkets across the country – Aldi, Cora, Lidl, Colruyt, Makro and Okay – are closed today. Shops that usually remain open on Sundays and public holidays are likely to be open, such as most Carrefour and Delhaize supermarkets will remain open, as well as some Intermarché and Spar shops, albeit with adjusted hours.
A Delhaize supermarket. Credit: Belga/Philippe Francois
Many shopping malls and retail shops across the country, such as City 2 and Docks Bruxsel, will also remain closed. Most other stores, such as those on Rue Neuve in Brussels, will also be shut. However, various smaller shops may open, depending on their management.
Most pharmacies will remain closed but for urgent needs and medication, people can contact the pharmacist-on-duty in their municipality. The nearest on-duty pharmacy can be found here. While most doctors will not be working either, those in need of medical care on this public holiday can get help from an on-call doctor by dialling 1733 (possible in Dutch, French, German and English).
Police services remain accessible at all times but district offices are closed, meaning they are not available for administrative matters. Those needing urgent police assistance should call the emergency number 112.
