The flower carpet at a glance
The first flower carpet in Brussels was laid in 1971. Since 1986 it has taken place every 2 years around 15 August, on the Grand Place in front of the Town Hall. The carpet is made of flowers, mainly dahlias in 2026, and it stays for a few days only.
The latest edition, the 24th, ran from 13 to 16 August 2026. Its theme was Japan, with Hokusai's Great Wave off Kanagawa reinterpreted by Hiro Sugiyama. Check the organiser's calendar for the next edition before you plan a trip around it. Between editions you can still enjoy the square, and our page on Brussels walking tours from the Grand Place shows how to see it with a guide.
Grand Place flower carpet: dates and rhythm
What is fixed and what is not.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| First carpet in Brussels | 1971 |
| Rhythm | Every 2 years around 15 August, since 1986 |
| Latest edition | 13 to 16 August 2026, the 24th |
| Theme in 2026 | Japan, based on Hokusai's Great Wave |
| Size of the carpet | About 70 to 77 m long and 24 m wide; 1,680 m² in 2026 |
| Flowers | Over 700,000 in 2026, mostly dahlias |
| Next edition | Check the organiser's calendar |
The size depends on the edition, with lengths of roughly 70 to 77 m, so treat the figures as approximate. For most visitors, the useful figure is the date, because a carpet only exists for those few days.
Brussels tours around the Grand Place
Walking tours through the old town, with live prices and availability.
Viewing tips for the flower carpet
From the square or from above.
On the square
There is no general entrance fee or square-wide reservation for the Grand Place. That does not mean round-the-clock access during events and security barriers, so check the notice for the days of the carpet.
From the Town Hall balcony
The view from the Town Hall balcony is a separate way to see the carpet. A balcony price for 2026, age limits and time slots are set per edition, so check the booking page before you plan on it.
Flowertime in the Town Hall
Flowertime is a separate event inside the Town Hall. Do not confuse it with the carpet on the square.
Seeing the Town Hall itself
The Town Hall is open Monday, Wednesday and Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00, and Friday and Saturday from 15:00 to 19:00. It is closed on Tuesday and Thursday. An interior visit costs €15 for adults. See the Brussels Town Hall page for tower and panorama details.
What the carpet looks like
Pattern, flowers and scale.
The carpet is a pattern made of living flowers laid out as a picture on the square. In 2026 the pattern was based on Hokusai's Great Wave, and it used over 700,000 flowers, mostly dahlias. Begonias, more than 500,000 of them, are the flower often associated with the carpet.
Around the square you see the Town Hall with its Gothic tower and the guild houses with their gilded details. The Maison du Roi, home of the City Museum, is on the square too. If you come between editions, visit the Brussels City Museum or walk the lanes of the old town.
Grand Place flower carpet: frequently asked questions
When is the flower carpet in Brussels?
It takes place every 2 years around 15 August. The latest edition ran from 13 to 16 August 2026. Check the organiser's calendar for the next one.
What was the theme in 2026?
Japan. The carpet was based on Hokusai's Great Wave off Kanagawa, reinterpreted by Hiro Sugiyama.
How big is the flower carpet?
The 2026 edition covered 1,680 m² with more than 700,000 flowers, mostly dahlias. The carpet is usually about 70 to 77 m long and 24 m wide.
Is there a ticket for the flower carpet?
The carpet on the square is not part of a general entrance fee. The view from the Town Hall balcony is a separate offer with its own booking terms for each edition.
Can I see the Grand Place without the carpet?
Yes. The square, the Town Hall and the guild houses are worth seeing in any year, and the City Museum and the Town Hall have regular opening hours.