Brussels, Belgium – Thousands are expected to flood the streets of Belgium’s capital this Sunday, July 21, to celebrate the country’s National Day.
The annual festivities, which include a military and civil parade, street entertainment, and a grand fireworks display, promise to be a vibrant celebration of Belgian culture and heritage.
However, the celebrations will also bring significant traffic disruptions, prompting authorities to urge the public to avoid traveling to the city by car.
The Brussels police have announced a series of traffic measures to accommodate the National Day events. “It is strongly recommended to come to Brussels by train or metro,” advised the City of Brussels/Ixelles police zone.
To facilitate public transport, Brussels’ public transport operator STIB is enhancing its services for the day, with metros, trams, and buses operating at higher frequencies and extended hours.
STIB has announced that the four metro lines (1, 2, 5, and 6) will have a frequency of 7.5 minutes between trains during the day, shifting to every 10 minutes after 6:00 PM until the end of service.
The last metro from Merode station, the nearest stop to Cinquantenaire Park where the closing concert and fireworks will be held, will depart at 1:00 AM. This final metro will ensure a connection at Arts-Loi to lines 2 and 6.
Additionally, eight tram lines (3, 4, 7, 9, 19, 25, 81, and 92) and numerous bus lines (29, 36, 38, 49, 54, 56, 59, 60, 64, 71, 80, 87, and 95) will run until around 1:00 AM or 1:30 AM, depending on the line.
For those traveling from outside the capital by car, large-scale park-and-ride locations have been designated just outside the city.
These include facilities in Kraainem, Heizel, Delta, and Roodebeek, among others, allowing visitors to park their cars and take public transportation into the city center.
In preparation for the celebrations, several key areas in Brussels will experience road closures and restrictions. Place des Palais, adjacent to the Royal Palace and the site of the parades, will be closed from the morning of July 19 until the evening of July 22.
The Poelaert exit of the Stéphanie tunnel heading towards the city center will be closed from the evening of July 20 until the afternoon of July 22.
On the day of the festivities, all traffic, including buses and trams, will be banned from numerous streets and squares from 5:00 AM until the end of the celebrations.
These areas include Place Poelaert, Rue Quatre-Bras, Rue de la Régence, the Sablon, Rue Ernest Allard, Rue Joseph Dupont, Rue Coppens, Rue Bodenbroek, Rue Ruisbroek, Place Royale, Koudenberg, Rue Belliard, Rue des Arts, Rue Ravenstein, Rue Royale between Rue de la Loi and Place Royale, and Rue Ducale between Rue de la Loi and Place du Trône.
Belgium’s National Day, commemorating the coronation of Leopold I as the first King of the Belgians in 1831, is a significant event in the country’s calendar.
The celebrations in Brussels are a major highlight, drawing residents and visitors alike to participate in the patriotic festivities. With the enhanced public transport services and clear traffic guidelines, authorities hope to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all attendees.
As the nation prepares to celebrate, the message from the police is clear: leave your car at home and take advantage of the robust public transport options to navigate the city during this vibrant and busy day.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
