Each year, the famous three-day Carnaval de Binche sees the town of Binche return to the 16th century. The colorful event takes place during the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday. It takes weeks of preparation and highlights the journey of more than 1,000 Gilles (clown-like characters) on Shrove Tuesday. But the effort is well worth it as the carnival was recognized as an Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2003.
During the celebrations, music parades through the town, culminating in the appearance of the Gilles on the Grand Place. The comical figures proceed to dance to the beating of drums and ward off evil spirits with sticks. They then march through the town with baskets of oranges and throw them at spectators. If you are hit by one, it is meant to bring good luck, but if you throw one back, it is seen as an insult. Carnival celebrations such as these take place in various locations around Belgium; so there is always a place to celebrate the lively occasion while you are there.