Carnival of Binche

Each year in Binche, Belgium, the days before Ash Wednesday come alive with the Carnival of Binche. For three days, costumed Gilles parade, dance, and toss oranges to crowds, bringing centuries-old tradition to the heart of this Walloon town.

• Gilles wear wax masks and elaborate feathered hats
• Oranges are thrown to the crowds as lucky gifts
• Carnival dates back to at least the 14th century
• Recognized by UNESCO for its cultural significance
• Main festivities take place over three days before Lent

What it is

The Carnival of Binche is a lively annual event held in the Belgian town of Binche, marking the days leading up to Lent. Central to the festivities are the Gilles—local men and boys dressed in colorful costumes, wax masks, and wooden shoes—who fill the streets with music, dance, and ritual. The celebration is a key moment for the community, blending pride in local heritage with a sense of fun and collective identity. The Gilles’ presence, their traditional dress, and the rituals they perform are deeply meaningful to the people of Binche, symbolizing both a break from daily life and a connection to generations past.

Where it comes from

The earliest records of Binche’s carnival traditions reach back to 1394, when the festivities marked the beginning of Lent. Over time, the event evolved, with the Gilles first mentioned in 1795 during a period when masking was forbidden under Napoleon. The festival continued to develop its unique character, and today stands out among Wallonia’s many pre-Lenten carnivals. In the early 2000s, its cultural value was formally recognized by both UNESCO and Belgium’s French Community, celebrating its historic and living traditions.

How it is celebrated

Preparations for the carnival begin weeks in advance, with Sundays leading up to the main days featuring music, dancing, and processions. The highlight is the appearance of the Gilles, who gather on Shrove Tuesday before dawn, dressed in their distinctive costumes. Their outfits, decorated in Belgium’s red, black, and yellow, and topped with wax masks, are a point of pride. As the day unfolds, the Gilles don towering ostrich feather hats and parade through Binche, carrying baskets of oranges. These oranges are enthusiastically thrown into the crowd—a gesture believed to bring luck. The spectacle is both joyful and intense, with the orange-throwing sometimes prompting residents to shield their windows.

Joining in

Visitors to Binche during carnival days can expect a town transformed by festivity. The main events unfold in the central streets, where the Gilles’ processions, drumming, and dancing draw crowds from near and far. Spectators are welcomed into the celebration, often catching oranges tossed by the Gilles—a cherished souvenir. While the energy is high and the traditions closely held by locals, newcomers are embraced as part of the spectacle, making it a memorable experience for all.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Carnival of Binche, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Carnival of Binche on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• UNESCO Intangible Cultural HeritageArticle
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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