Doudou Mons festival, Belgium

The Doudou Festival, officially known as the Ducasse de Mons, takes place in the city of Mons, located in the Walloon region of southern Belgium. The city is easily accessible by train from Brussels and other major Belgian cities, and the historic center – where most events occur – is within walking distance from the main railway station.

The festival goes back to a procession first held in 1349 and is deeply rooted in local religious and folkloric traditions. It is best known for the “Lumeçon,” a dramatic reenactment of the legendary battle between Saint George and a dragon, performed in the main square before large crowds. Together with the procession of the shrine of Saint Waltrude in the Golden Carriage (Car d’Or), it has been recognised by UNESCO since 2005 as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage “Processional giants and dragons in Belgium and France”. Each year, the festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors, making it one of Belgium’s most important folkloric celebrations.

The Doudou Festival takes place annually around Trinity Sunday, usually in late May or early June, with a week of processions, concerts, and public festivities. In 2026 the main days were 30–31 May. In 2027 Trinity Sunday falls on 23 May, so the shrine is expected to be brought down on Saturday 22 May, with the procession and the Lumeçon on Sunday 23 May.

Prices and Opening Hours

Most of the Doudou Festival events are free to attend, including the main procession and many public celebrations in the city. Visitors can freely explore the streets and squares where performances and activities take place.

However, the Grand-Place fills up hours before the Lumeçon and access may be restricted for safety and crowd management, so it pays to arrive early. Some organized activities or reserved viewing places may require tickets.

Events begin in the morning. Around noon on Sunday the crowd helps push the Golden Carriage up the Rampe Sainte-Waudru, and at 12:30 the Lumeçon battle starts on the Grand-Place, lasting about half an hour until Saint George slays the dragon. Additional festivities, concerts, and celebrations continue into the evening, creating a lively atmosphere across the city.