Frequently asked questions about the Pageant of the Golden Tree

The Pageant of the Golden Tree will take place on Sunday, 25 August 2024, in Bruges. The Pageant departs from ’t Zand at around 2:30 p.m.

The route covers about 2.7 km and passes along the most beautiful places in Bruges. Toilets and accessible areas where the Pageant stops can be found on the map.

Download the map in advance

We recommend arriving in Bruges several hours in advance. The city centre will be closed to traffic around noon and the Pageant will only be accessible on foot.

The last Pageant of the Golden Tree attracted some 75,000 visitors. So it’s best to come to Bruges in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

You sure can. We also strongly encourage the use of public transport since the city centre will be closed to vehicular traffic that day.

All the information on timetables and connections can be found on the Belgian Train and De Lijn websites. Keep in mind that bus traffic is banned from the city centre from a certain time.

We definitely encourage travel by bike. However, keep in mind that the city centre will be closed to vehicular traffic that day starting at noon.

Feel free to park your bike in the underground bicycle parking on ’t Zand. Movilo mobile bicycle storage systems will also be available on the Burg.

If you still plan to come by car, please note that, around noon, Bruges city centre will be closed to vehicular traffic. The car parks in the city centre will only be accessible again after the Pageant, so it’s best to park at one of the car parks along the periphery of the city.

Can you come by public transport or bicycle? If so, that’s the easiest and fastest way to get to Bruges.

You can enjoy the Pageant from the comfort of your own home! Focus WTV will broadcast the Pageant of the Golden Tree live, with commentary by Lisa Demets that will be simultaneously translated into Flemish sign language.

Accessible zones for people with disabilities will be provided at several places along the route.

The first zone is in the paying area, on the stands on the Market Square. There, the first row is kept free for wheelchair users and the second row for a companion; Furthermore, you can also enjoy the pageant free of charge from the accessible care zone at 't Zand (FULLY BOOKED) or at the free benches at the Church of Our Lady.

For the care zone at 't Zand, you can reserve a spot with Lokaal Sociaal Beleid Stad Brugge via 050 47 54 78 or via sociaalbeleid@brugge.be. 

The route is accessible with a pram, but keep in mind that the Pageant draws quite a crowd. You won’t be able to move through the crowd as easily.

You can bring your dog, but bear in mind that your four-legged friend may not enjoy the huge crowds and the possible heat. 

Along the course you will find some public toilets at the following locations:

• ‘t Zand

• Stadshallen

• Gruuthuse Museum
• Historium

• Kuipersstraat

Some toilets are accessible for people with disabilities, others have a changing table. See an overview of all available public toilets here.

There are more than enough catering establishments along the route at which you can satisfy your thirst or hunger. You may, of course, bring your own food and drinks.

Please keep our streets clean. We kindly ask that you dispose of waste such as uneaten food, packaging, and cans in the waste bins provided.

Unfortunately, tickets for the stands at the Market Square are sold out. But not to worry, because you can follow the Pageant of the Golden Tree completely free of charge at most places along the route. Free benches will even be placed at several locations. Be in the city on time, that way you can be sure of a good spot. 

You can admire the Pageant along the route for free. Download the map in advance to pick your spot.

We put together a handy programme booklet explaining the story of the Pageant of the Golden Tree through the structure and order of the pageant. One programme booklet costs five euros.

Buy your own programme booklet at In&Uit ('t Zand 34) or at the information offices at the Market (Historium, Markt 1) and in the train station, or before the pageant starts along the route.

Our stewards will be there to make sure the Pageant goes smoothly and to keep an eye on things. If you experience any problems or inconveniences during the Pageant, please don’t hesitate to speak to them.

Drugs and sharp objects are better left at home. An umbrella in rainy weather is allowed, but be considerate of other visitors and do not obstruct the view.

You are certainly allowed to photograph the Pageant. However, we kindly request that you stay in place and don’t walk in the middle of the Pageant or among the participants.

We always appreciate great footage, so please share your photos on social media and don’t forget to tag @goudenboomstoet!

For reselling or returning tickets for the seat stands, we follow the rules of Tickets Brugge. More info can be found on the website.

Yes, you can find the first aid posts on the map. These are the posts:

• Church of Our Lady
• Noordzandstraat (near Tabigha)
• Markt (near the Stadshallen)
• BMCC on the Beursplein