Bridge between winter and spring
Krokusvakantie is celebrated between winter and spring when there is normally still a bit of snow in the East and cold weather throughout the country. This school vacation serves exactly as a bridge between winter and the blooming of spring, typically starting when the crocus flowers bloom. Hence the name - Krokusvakantie (literally translated to Crocus vacation).
Since the seventies, this holiday has taken place every year in Belgium (and the Netherlands). Introduced as a break from the gloomy winter months, and at the request of parents, this holiday generally entails winter sports and celebrating carnival. The timing of this school holiday depends on Easter. More precisely, it begins every year on the seventh Wednesday before Easter, also known as Ash Wednesday.
This school holiday, however, is not to be confused with the Easter holiday, as this break is a full two weeks of holiday during Easter.
Practicality meets tradition
In the ‘70s, the holiday lasted only two days and was related to Ash Monday, a religious holiday from the Catholic tradition that marks the beginning of the Easter fast. Older Leuvenaars remember going to church on Ash Wednesday, where they would receive the so-called askruisjes (or ash cross in English) at the Mass, which marks the official beginning of Lent. The priest places a cross with ashes on the believer's forehead, as a sign that they are entering a time of reflection, conversion, and penance.
Today, among the majority of the population, Carnaval remains connected to tradition even though its religious context is mostly being replaced. The practicality of the school-related vacation explains why some parents take this extra week as an opportunity to travel.
Activities & public events
Activities around Spring break today look significantly different. One might ask, where do Belgian families go during Spring break? Austria is a very popular vacation destination for winter sports. For those who prefer soaking up the sunshine during winter, Egypt or the Canary Islands are common stops.
For those staying at home, many museums around Belgium organize fun activities known as Krokuskriebels. These activities are aimed to stimulate children's imagination and involve introducing families to the museum’s offerings, such as immersive experiences, making crafts, stargazing, etc.
Carnaval
Many cities celebrate carnival, which usually starts on Sunday, three days before Ash Wednesday. Most Cities or villages have their own carnival parade that has a unique heritage and folklore. From parody to surrealism, traditional carnival songs, music, costumes, and dances are here to remind us of the cyclical nature of life; that after darkness comes light and after cold winter we can expect the fertility of spring.
To experience this Carnaval tradition, we recommend visiting two of the most well-known in Belgium - the Carnaval of Aalst (a favorite for adults as there is quite a bit of drinking) and Carnival in Binche (Wallonia). In recognition of its unique cultural significance, UNESCO has named the Carnaval de Binche a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Of course, Carnaval is also celebrated in Leuven. See the full program for the Leuven Carnaval here.