The Wallonia region, the French-speaking part of Belgium, is ready to welcome lovers of music and fun with a wide range of outdoor events. The vibrant music festivals spread throughout the Walloon territory stand out, with very different atmospheres in each of them. However, Wallonia is also a territory with unusual activities, so one of its essentials that has nothing to do with festivals is the iconic International Bathtub Regatta.
Festivals in abbeys, music in a sacred place
Located in the center of Walloon Brabant, the Cistercian abbey of Villers-la-Ville hosts what is surely one of the most epic concerts in the region: La Nuit des Chœurs (Night of the Choirs), which this year will be the 25th and the 26 August. In the event, the entire ruins of the abbey and its vegetation are illuminated, highlighting its architectural heritage. The different choirs that perform, of various musical styles, do so from different prominent places in Villers-la-Ville Abbey, including under the centuries-old vaults of the crypt. At the end of these performances, the artists gather on the main stage for one last concert that culminates in a spectacular fireworks display.
Likewise, in Wallonia, the Esperanzah Festival (July 27-30) also stands out, which takes place in the Floreffe Abbey, near Namur, but which presents a very different atmosphere. There are four days of celebration, with more than 30 musical performances. But, in addition, it is not only a music festival, because there are also film projections, live theater shows, craft markets and even debates. It is an original and multifaceted festival, which opens up to a wide range of audiences with a uniquely renowned backdrop.
Festivals to not stop enjoying
This summer, Wallonia becomes a territory with an amazing selection of festivals. In the Burning City, Liège, will be the Les Ardentes festival (July 6-9), with 100 invited artists over four days, in an atmosphere charged with electricity and euphoria. In Spa, known for being a thermal city, Les Francofolies de Spa will be held (July 20-23), with a diversity of Francophone music and emerging local talents. Another great example is the Festival Dour (July 12-16), famous for its alternative and avant-garde spirit, with musical genres ranging from rap to drum'n'bass without forgetting electro, reggae or hip hop. And for those looking for a magical experience, the Ronquières Festival (August 4-6), with two stages will welcome up to 10.
An iconic race down the Meuse River
Every August 15, Dinant becomes the scene of an unusual competition: the International Bathtub Regatta. This event brings together participants of all ages to compete in unconventional boats: bathtubs.
In this unique test, of only 1 kilometer, the teams launch themselves into the River Meuse mounted in their bathtubs that they have decorated in a creative way. As the boats float down the river, the competitors must row with enthusiasm and skill to reach the finish line, since motor propelling them is prohibited.
In addition to the competition itself, the International Bathtub Regatta offers a unique experience for spectators. The banks of the Meuse fill with people enjoying live music, Belgian food stalls and a generally party atmosphere. Creativity and ingenuity overflow in each of the participating bathtubs, which turns this regatta into a true visual spectacle, since the bathtubs are rewarded for their originality.