On 9 May, the Representation of the European Commission in Belgium is organising a special day to mark Europe Day in Brussels. On the programme: participatory workshops, exclusive visits and a festive celebration on the Grand-Place. Celebrate Europe close to home, because Europe is close to you!
- European Identity | Institution of the European Union | European Union
- Saturday, May 9, 2026, 10:30 – 19:00 (CEST)
- Brussels, Belgium
Program
- 9 May 2026, 10:30 – 12:00 (CEST)Participatory workshops in the participating municipalities (City of Brussels, Ixelles, Etterbeek, Uccle and Watermael-Boitsfort)
Citizens’ actions around the EU and local democracy
- 12:00 – 12:30 (CEST)Transfer of participants to the Berlaymont
- 12:30 – 13:30 (CEST)Lunch for all workshop participants
offered by the European Commission
- 13:45 – 15:15 (CEST)Workshop participants visit the European Parliament
- 15:30 – 16:45 (CEST)Workshop participants visit the European Commission
- 16:45 – 17:15 (CEST)European procession to the Grand-Place
Peaceful and symbolic march in European colours, from the European quarter to the Grand-Place, with flags and musical accompaniment
- 17:30 – 19:00 (CEST)[For everyone] Ceremony on the Grand Place
Symbolic moment with musical entertainment. Refreshments offered to workshop participants
- 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. (CEST)[For everyone] Iris Tipik Electro Night (Place des Palais) – in European colours!
Practical information
- When
- Saturday, May 9, 2026, 10:30 – 19:00 (CEST)
- Where
- Several municipalitiesBruxelles, Belgique
- Languages
- French, Dutch
Description
Europe Day: a continental celebration for peace
Every 9th May Europe celebrates the Schuman Declaration, the founding act of the European Union. All over the continent, institutions, cities and citizens organise events to remind us of the common values – peace, democracy, solidarity – that unite Europeans. In Brussels, the institutional heart of the EU, the festivities will take on a special dimension with a programme combining citizen participation, discoveries and celebrations.
This year, the Representation of the European Commission in Belgium is joining forces with the Brussels municipalities (Brussels City, Etterbeek, Ixelles, Watermael-Boitsfort, Uccle) to offer a day where Europe is lived in concrete terms, through local exchanges, privileged access to institutions and a festive finale open to all. It was an opportunity to show how the EU acts on a daily basis, but also to listen to the expectations of citizens, especially young people, on the future of European democracy.
A rich programme: from your municipality to the Grand-Place
The day will start in several municipalities of Brussels, where participatory workshops will bring together between 30 and 50 citizens per site. Under the theme “European democracy: European values, local action”, these meetings will take the form of various activities such as role-playing and simulation games, quiz games, testimonies and conferences, games and activities for young children. They will give a voice to the inhabitants, and in particular to young people, thus showing that Europe is also built at the level of neighbourhoods.
- Watermael-Boitsfort organises an Escape game for young people (in collaboration with the Youth Forum)
- Uccle organises a role-playing/simulation game
- Etterbeek organises a role-playing/simulation game
- Brussels is organising a DJ concert in European colours on 8 May on the Grand-Place as well as a high-level conference on 9 May at 7.30 pm
- Ixelles organises a quiz game with reflections and dialogues
- Woluwé Saint Lambert organizes a concert “Europe Day”
Around noon, participants will be transported by bus to the Schuman district for a convivial picnic followed by VIP visits to the European Parliament and the European Commission.
The afternoon will continue with a symbolic march from the European quarter to the Grand-Place, where a public ceremony will bring together participants, passers-by and tourists from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. On the programme: street artists, the unfurling of a giant European flag, speeches, music and entertainment, all in partnership with the City of Brussels.
To end the day in style, those who wish can go to the Place des Palais, where the Fête de l’Iris will offer a large electro concert organised by the Brussels Region and TIPIK, an opportunity to extend the festivities in a festive atmosphere.
How to participate?
With registration (limited places):
- Local workshops, VIP visits, peaceful procession and concert (Irist Festival) (10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.): registration via your municipality
- Open to all, without registration:
- Ceremony on the Grand-Place (17:00): giant flag, music and entertainment
Celebrate Europe close to home, because Europe is close to you!
