Kattenstoet

Held every three years on the second Sunday of May since 1955, the Kattenstoet or “cat festival” of Ypres is one of the most bizarre events in Belgium. It’s a procession of people dressed as cats, mice, witches, jesters and medieval townspeople, playing music and leading huge floats. At the historic Cloth Hall, a jester throws plush toy cats from the belfry down to the crowd, a tradition followed by a mock witch burning.

These practices are based on the tradition in medieval Ypres. Back then—up until 1817—live cats were hurled from the belfry to their deaths, likely to repel witches and evil spirits. Another story has it that cats were kept in the tower as a form of pest control when wool was stored there during winter, to be killed in spring when they were no longer needed.

Thankfully, no such animal cruelty is committed today and Yprois cats remain safe during the parade. Introduced in 1955, the 20-foot-tall float of the cat king Cieper is now a beloved icon of the town and even registered as an honorary citizen, along with his consort Minneke Poes.

The festival was last held on 13 May 2018, cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic and is set to take place next on 12 May 2024.