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Carnival as an escape?

Want to step out of your daily role for a while?

Carnival is coming. A few days in which you can escape from your daily self. Cosplay, re-enactment and living history do the same but in their own ‘quirky’ way.

Carnival

In Aalst and Binche they celebrate carnival on Sunday 15 February and carnival processions also pass through the streets in other cities around that time.

Carnival offers people a temporary escape: you can be loud, play someone else. It’s allowed at carnival.

Cosplay

Cosplay does the same thing, but more intensely. It puts more emphasis on the character you portray.

Usually that is a beloved film, animation, game or comic book hero. Costume, behavior, and often language and gestures are accurately imitated.

People often prepare for it for a long time, and want the character to be convincing. Cosplay is less about exuberance than about engagement and recognition, especially within the cosplay community.

Re-enactment

Re-enactment goes one step further. There, you don’t just put on a costume, but entire historical scenes are recreated: medieval tournaments, battles and war situations.

I remember the re-enactment of the Battle of Waterloo, in 2015. A grandiose show with thousands of re-enactors, deafening artillery and perfectly aligned formations. Impressive, to be sure, but the dense smoke above the battlefield unfortunately shrouded the spectacle in a gray veil.

Living history

And then there are the extras who, just like in carnival parades, like to frolic around dressed up at medieval markets or in historical parades, such as the Ommegang in Brussels and the Blood Procession in Bruges.

The park of Enghien is also filled with medieval knights, blacksmiths and craftsmen every year, just as you often see it in Midsomer Murders or other British series.

This is not just about history, but about the feeling of diving into another world for a while.

What does it do to you to be someone else temporarily?

Carnival, cosplay, re-enactment and living history meet the same need: to step out of your fixed identity for a while, without turning your life around.

And at the same time: connectedness, you are part of a group.

Behind the carnival is a close-knit club life that makes beautiful floats and figures. Cosplayers come together and like to show off at conventions and forums, and re-enactors make it a real battle.

All these forms of escapism have been on the rise again recently, especially now that times are uncertain.

They are innocent, short forms of escape. In contrast to more drastic ways out such as leaving (I’m leaving… or not) or short-lived relationships that continue to follow each other (That one great love or several short-lived ones?).

Sometimes you don’t have to leave at all. Sometimes it is enough to just be someone else, safe and socially accepted.

Just going to have a look is enough to see:
“Oh… This is not a costume party. This is alive.”

Have fun! For the enthusiasts, a few more dates at the bottom…

Emma

Carnival

Aalst carnaval

February 15, 2026

Traditional folk festival, masks, parades

Binche carnival

15, 16 and 17 February 2026

UNESCO-recognized carnival with Gilles, costumes and traditional rituals

Cosplay

Made in Asia, Expo Brussels

27, 28 February and 1 March 2026

Pop culture event; Participants crawl into costumes from manga, games, anime. Focus on fantasy and entertainment.

Heroes presents FACTS, Ghent

11 and 12 April 2026

Pop culture convention featuring cosplay, games, movies, and comics; emphasis on fantasy roles and creative expression.

Re-enactment

Eye witness event, Overloon

29 and 30 August 2026

Re-enactment of historical military events, with an emphasis on battles and tactics.

Militaria / Re-enactment

military reenactments

Focus on military history, battles, and demonstrations with historic weapons.

Medieval festivals

various locations in Wallonia and France

Medieval lifestyle, tournaments, battles; often with audience participation.

Living history

Ommegang in Brussels P.S. the Ommegang is organized all over Belgium on different dates.	July 1, 2026	Ceremonial procession, historical costumes, parade.
Blood procession in Bruges	May 14, 2026	Religious, historical procession; costumes and floats.
Brussels Renaissance Festival	17 May to 4 July 2026	Cultural festival with parades, crafts, music, theater.