Major events

Pentecost

The Grand Tour

Whit Monday is a big day in Soignies, marked by the Tour Saint-Vincent and its historical procession. This prayer walk around the city dates back to at least 1262 and its route covers just over 10 km. From 6 am, the reliquaries are carried and escorted by the confreres of Saint Vincent and the pilgrims, from chapel to chapel. These contain the bones of Saint Vincent (who founded an abbey in Soignies in the 7th century), his wife, Saint Waudru, and two of their four children: Saint Landry and Saint Madelberte.

The historical procession

At the end of the Grand Tour, the historical procession begins, celebrating the return of the holy relics to the city. A large audience will see a historical fresco parade with a thousand extras, including 15 musical groups and a hundred riders. The evocation covers different periods, from the founding of Soignies to the present day. In 2021, the procession as seen today celebrated its 100th anniversary.

A must see
Every Whit Saturday from 8 p.m., the town of Soignies offers free concerts on the Grand-Place. Soignies has already been able to welcome Suarez, Michel Fugain, Sinsémilia, Renan Luce and others.

The Agricultural Fair

For more than 70 years, the City of Soignies has come alive every last Sunday in June during the Agricultural Fair. This day of meeting the agricultural world has now become an essential family outing. From 9 a.m., a farmer's market is organized. Cattle, pig and horse competitions then follow. A "Blanc Bleu Belge" catering takes place under a marquee at 12 noon.

Août en Eclats (The "Shining August" festival)

A great cultural event, typical of Soignies, Août en Eclats takes place on the last Saturday of August of each year. Thus, since 2005, this free and multidisciplinary multifestival has hosted on Place van Zeeland and Place Verte various activities such as twenty different shows, concerts, a children's village, a "Marché du Monde et des Saveurs" (world and flavors market) and many more. The event has also attracted big names like Arno, Puggy, Ozarkhenry, Babylon Circus, hooverphonic and La Grande Sophie who have all performed on the Sonegian stages.

A must see
A family festival par excellence, Août en Eclats also offers a village intended exclusively for children where entertainment of all kinds awaits them!

The Simpélourd festivities

The Simpélourd festivities begin on the eve of the 3rd Sunday in October. At 7.15 p.m., the so-called Simpélourd leaves Soignies station, as if returning from a trip, and is greeted by the authorities and a large crowd. He then climbs into a horse-drawn carriage and distributes handfuls of carabibis, which are succulent sweets typical of Soignies. Brass bands, gilles, majorettes and other folk groups as well as the giants Dudule and Joséphine accompanied by their daughter Charlotte, escort Simpélourd through the city to then lead him to the balcony of the Town Hall.Taking advantage of the inattention of the onlookers, Simpélourd withdraws and is replaced by a mannequin who remains on display for the following three days, until he is burned on Tuesday evening. He is led to the gallows where he is dangled, soaked in gasoline and finally burned.

The legend

Several explanations exist as to the origins of the character of Mononk Simpélourd. The most likely is that of a Sonégien, abandoned by his wife, who wanted to take revenge on his mocking friends. He invited them to dinner but replaced the ham dish with an appetizing piece of painted wood. To punish him for this stupid joke, they carried the effigy of the prankster all over town. As a symbol of popular jubilation, a statue of Simpélourd now sits in front of the Town Hall.

The Féeries

For the most magical time of the year, Soignies puts on its clothes of light on the occasion of the Féeries which take place every third weekend in December. On the program: a Christmas market, street entertainment and Christmas parade.

The Christmas market

The Verte and Van Zeeland squares welcome around sixty chalets for a weekend - the most beautiful Christmas market in the region!

A must see

The Christmas parade

On Fairy Sunday from 5:00 p.m., a large Christmas parade crosses the streets of the city. A magical show not to be missed!