Velm (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Bloesembar in Velm, Sint-Truiden, got a spring 2026 permit for 6 weeks (March 28–May 10, 2026). Organiser Peter Onkelinx, Alderman Marijn Ghys, and Mayor Ludwig Vandenhove oversaw changes after resident complaints.
As HBVL News reported, the Bloesembar in Velm, Sint-Truiden, has been granted a permit to open in spring 2026. The approval came from the municipal executive board. The pop-up bar will start on Saturday, March 28th, 2025, and run for 6 weeks, closing on Mother’s Day, May 10th, 2025.
This year, the event will last one week less than in previous years. The organisers also decided to cancel the popular “The White” party night. These changes respond to complaints from residents about noise, traffic, late-night activity, and large crowds.
What changes will Velm’s Bloesembar see after the 2026 permit and resident talks?
The Bloesembar has been a spring attraction in Haspengouw for over 15 years. Last season, it welcomed about 50,000 visitors. The event includes more than the bar. It also hosts activities like “Culinary in the Fields” and other party nights, which have drawn large crowds. These activities sometimes caused tension with residents.
In September 2025, residents of Velm started a petition on social media to raise concerns about the Bloesembar. The petition included specific demands. Residents asked for a maximum opening period of 30 days, strict closing times of 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends, a stop to additional events, and a better mobility plan to manage traffic and visitors. The petition received wide support.
“Some residents would even prefer to see the Bloesembar disappear completely,”
they said at the time.
In response, the municipality of Sint-Truiden organised meetings between residents and the organisers. During the discussions, Alderman for Events Marijn Ghys (WOW) and Mayor Ludwig Vandenhove (Vooruit) said a compromise was necessary to keep the Bloesembar in Velm. Organiser Peter Onkelinx described the talks as constructive.
According to organiser Peter Onkelinx,
“We are pleased that the concept can continue thanks to constructive dialogue. As every year, we evaluated and refined it where necessary. We are shortening the event by one week and canceling The White. We are also limiting parking to the 6-meter lane. We are doing everything we can to minimize disruption.”
Alderman Ghys confirmed that further consultations took place after the new permit was granted. The meetings focused on safety measures, operational plans, and reducing the impact on neighbours.
“We recently convened the parties involved to announce that the Bloesembar had received its permit again and will last six weeks instead of seven. It was a constructive meeting. We will now also continue to explore with the Mobility Department how we can alleviate traffic congestion in the centre of Velm during the event,”
Alderman Marin Ghys said.
The Bloesembar is a traditional spring event in Velm. This event began in 2009 and was relaunched, as a full pop-up concept, in 2017 by its organiser, Peter Onkelinx. Today it features a lounge bar, a restaurant that seats 250, a Sunday breakfast while looking at blossoms, organised walks around the area and a shuttle service for visitors.
Over the years, there have been added barbecues, local wines, a ‘StreekShop’ where visitors can buy items made from the region, cycling routes for those interested in biking and even some hot air balloon rides. In April 2023, Jo Brouns, the former Agriculture Minister, visited the Bloesembar to promote the relationship between tourism and local fruit farmers.
