Belgium : public and bank holidays, closure of banks, stock exchanges, school vacations

School holidays :

Catholic or protestant : Since pre-historic times in Europe, festivities (bonfires, offrerings) were marking the beginning of longer hours of daylight with fires and ritual. The Roman festival of Saturnalia lasted several days in December (gambling and offerings). Germanic tribes also celebrated mid-winter (drinking and rituals). The Bulgarian (with Koleduvane) and the Polish (with Gwiazdka) perpetuate this tradition. Jesus of Nazareth was probably born in springtime (Reformists favour autumn). But in the 4th century, December 25th was chosen for the celebration of his birth by Pope Julius I (Bishop Liberus is also mentioned in 354 A.D.). Thus, a Christian element was introduced in the long-established mid-winter festivals. Before 1582, the Papal States and other Italian city states celebrated New Year’s Day on Christmas Day.

Banks only :

Secular holiday : Boxing Day

Secular holiday : The world's most widely celebrated holiday, New Years was set on January 1 by Julius Caesar because that was the date the Roman consuls took over their duties. Paid holiday when falling on Saturday or Sunday

cards/flowers :

School holidays : Www.enseignement.be
calendar issued by the Ministry of Education
With numerous levels of national and local bureaucracy, the school system can seem difficult to understand. However, as Belgium is the capital of the EU, the education system is well developed to serve international and working families (state schools, subsidised or free private schools, bilingual schools, method schools and private and international schools)
Instruction is dispensed in either Flemish, French, German or English
PISA ranking (average 493): 502
number of instructional hours per year in lower secondary education: 650
School day duration: 6:00 hours
Number of teaching days: 185 (FR), 180 (DE), 185 (NL)
2022 PISA ranking: #20 with a 486 score
University of Liege ranking: Shanghai (2023) #301-400
School may open on Saturday morning
No uniform required

We carry confirmed dates till Oct 2025 (till Aug 2026 for French schools)

Please note that authorities may take last-minute decisions; please double-check if this information is vital to you
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cards/flowers : Introduced by Pope Gelasus in 498, perhaps in response to a local Roman tradition of lovers writing their names on an urn in February

School holidays :

School holidays :

Culture : Http://www.carnavaldebinche.be/home-nl.html Drums, dances, masks. - Festivities last 2 days.

School holidays :

School holidays :

Culture : Https://flb.be/ lasts 5 days - 2025 edition confirmed

Special Events : At 1:00 am local times

cards/flowers : The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Quran; a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, a number of other days. Allah desires for you ease; He desires not hardship for you; and that you should complete the period, and that you should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that perhaps you may be thankful [Wikipedia]