Leuven (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): The Leuven Fair, a beloved annual event on the first Monday of September, brings the city to life with market stalls, street performances, and a traditional cattle competition.
On 2nd September at morning, the brewery at café ‘De veteren os’ was lively because it started the Annual Fair, which happens every year. People woke up early to join in the fun. Iwan Daniels was cooking a big breakfast with white and black pudding and hamburgers, wanting to make sure everyone had enough food. He said that the fair in Leuven is more fun when you start early, so you can enjoy the whole day. After serving breakfast, he plans to go into town to enjoy the festive atmosphere.
What events are featured at Leuven’s annual fair?
The Annual Fair in Leuven takes place on the first Monday of September and is a beloved event that brings the city to life. Many people take the day off work to enjoy the festivities, starting early in busy cafés where locals gather to soak up the lively atmosphere. The fair offers a mix of market stalls, street performances, carnival rides, and games for all ages. Highlights include a traditional cattle competition where horses and cattle walk on a catwalk, along with a market featuring local products and a bustling flea market. This celebration captures the spirit of Leuven, filled with nostalgia, local culture, and fun, making it a cherished tradition that keeps people coming back each year.
Café-goer said that “For me, the annual fair always starts at De veteren os with a pint at 7:30. As true Leuven residents, we don’t want to miss the start of this important day. After this, I’ll head to the farmers’ market and a few other cafés. Most people are happy to wake up early. My alarm went off at 5, but it was worth it since the fair only happens once a year. We start our day with a beer and a roll, and later we’ll have hamburgers and sausages. It’s going to be a long and fun day”
Between 9 AM and 4 PM, former Miss Belgium Céline Van Outsel will present the cattle competition at Sint-Jacobsplein. There’s a Children’s Annual Market for kids, and Sam Goris and Domino will perform at Martelarenplein throughout the day. Since 2021, there have been no animal sales at the fair to prevent quick purchases, and the number of stallholders has been getting smaller.
