Parking for the Holy Blood Procession in Bruges: your complete guide

The Procession of the Holy Blood draws over 30,000 spectators to the centre of Bruges every year, and the parking pressure reflects it. With streets closed, parking bans around the route and garages filling up by midday, planning ahead is not a luxury but a necessity. This guide tells you exactly where to park, which streets are closed and how to enjoy your day without stress.

Why parking for the Procession starts with a plan

On Ascension Day, over 30,000 visitors line the route of the Holy Blood Procession in Bruges. That means the three main car parks in the centre, 't Zand, Katelijne and Station, can fill up by 11 a.m. Anyone who drives to Bruges without a plan risks spending an hour circling streets that close one by one.

The procession follows a route straight through the heart of the city. From the Dijver via Steenstraat and 't Zand to the Markt: virtually every main street is closed to traffic. This directly affects your parking choice. A car park that normally works perfectly may be unreachable on this day if you arrive too late.

From our experience at SparkSpot, we see that demand for parking spaces in Bruges triples during major events. The Holy Blood Procession is no exception. Visitors who book a parking space in advance save an average of 40 to 60 per cent compared to a parking garage and have the certainty of a reserved spot.

The Holy Blood Procession: what to expect

The Procession of the Holy Blood is one of the oldest religious processions in Europe and has wound through the streets of Bruges since 1304. In 2009, the procession was recognised as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, a distinction that confirms its cultural and historical value internationally.

According to tradition, Thierry of Alsace, Count of Flanders, brought the relic of the Holy Blood from the Holy Land to Bruges in 1150. It has been preserved in the Basilica of the Holy Blood on the Burg ever since. The first mention of a procession on the Feast of the Finding of the Holy Cross dates to 3 May 1304, as recorded in the city accounts.

Today the procession consists of 52 groups divided into four parts: a sequence of street theatre, singing, dance, choreography and music. Nearly 1,900 participants bring biblical scenes and the history of the Holy Blood to life. The event is known as the most beautiful day of Bruges, and rightly so.

Holy Blood Procession 2026: date, time and route

The Holy Blood Procession 2026 takes place on Thursday 14 May, Ascension Day. The procession departs at 2.30 p.m. from the Dijver and ends around 5.30 p.m. At any point along the route, the passage takes approximately one and a half hours.

The 2026 route runs as follows: Dijver, Gruuthusestraat, Guido Gezelleplein, Mariastraat, Simon Stevinplein, Steenstraat, Zuidzandstraat, 't Zand, Hauwerstraat, Maagdenstraat, Smedenstraat, 't Zand, Noordzandstraat, Geldmuntstraat, Kuipersstraat, Jakob van Ooststraat, Vlamingstraat and the Markt.

This means the procession crosses 't Zand twice. The square is one of the best viewing spots but also the busiest point in the city. The route literally cuts the centre in two: anyone parked on the wrong side of the route cannot leave until after 5.30 p.m.

Which streets are closed and when?

Parking bans and traffic restrictions apply in two phases. From 8 a.m., all traffic is prohibited in the Oude Burg, Nieuwstraat, Sint-Niklaasstraat, Oude Zomerstraat, Minderbroedersstraat, Park, Pandreitje and Kartuizerinnenstraat. These streets are used for procession preparations.

From 1 p.m., the entire route is closed. This includes Wollestraat, Dijver, Gruuthusestraat, Guido Gezelleplein, Mariastraat, Simon Stevinplein, Steenstraat, Zuidzandstraat, Hauwerstraat, Maagdenstraat (between Klokstraat and Smedenstraat), Smedenstraat, 't Zand, Vrijdagmarkt, Noordzandstraat, Geldmuntstraat, Eiermarkt, Markt, Breidelstraat, Burg, Rozenhoedkaai and Braambergstraat.

A parking ban also applies within a ten metre radius of all these streets and squares, except in spaces specifically designated by the city. The City of Bruges publishes the exact traffic measures at bloedprocessiebrugge.be.

Three parking options that work on Ascension Day

Option 1: Centrum Station car park
Centrum Station car park is located at Bruges railway station, a 15 minute walk from the Markt. The rate is approximately 1.20 euro per hour and around 6.10 euro for a full day. With 1,500 spaces, it is the largest car park in Bruges. The station sits outside the closed zone, making it easy to leave after the procession.

Option 2: Katelijne car park
Katelijne car park is on the south side of the centre, on Katelijnestraat. The daily rate is 8.70 euro. Note: Katelijne is close to the route and may be difficult to reach after 1 p.m. Arrive before noon if you choose this option.

Option 3: A private parking space via SparkSpot
Via SparkSpot you can book a private parking space in Bruges in advance. You choose the location, you have a guaranteed spot and you typically pay less than in a parking garage. Our booking data shows that spaces for event days fill up quickly. Book early.

Parking 't Zand: why you should avoid it on this day

Parking 't Zand is normally the most popular car park in Bruges. The first hour is free, then you pay approximately 1.70 euro per hour, with a daily rate of around 14.40 euro. But on the day of the Holy Blood Procession, 't Zand is the epicentre of the event.

The procession crosses the square twice. The entrance and exit of the car park can be blocked from 1 p.m. due to road closures. Anyone wanting to leave after the procession may be stuck until after 6 p.m. Based on our booking data, we notice that experienced Bruges visitors deliberately avoid 't Zand on event days.

Getting to the procession by train or bus

Bruges railway station is a 15 minute walk from the Markt and is the stress free option on Ascension Day. NMBS (Belgian Rail) typically schedules additional trains to Bruges on public holidays. From the station, walk via Zuidzandstraat or Smedenpoort towards the centre.

P+R Steenbrugge: if you prefer driving but want to avoid parking in the centre, use the free P+R Steenbrugge on Baron Ruzettelaan in Assebroek. It has 185 free spaces. From the P&R Steenbrugge bus stop, take bus 20 or 21 to Bruges station (approximately 22 minutes).

Centrum shuttle: Bruges operates an electric centrum shuttle daily between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., every 25 minutes. A ride costs 3 euro (free for Bruges residents). The shuttle departs from De Lijn platform C1 at the station.

Best spots to watch the procession

The Holy Blood Procession is free to watch along the entire route. Simply choose your spot and stand along the side. The most popular locations are the Markt, 't Zand and the Burg, but these are also the busiest. Arrive before 1 p.m. to secure a good view.

For those who prefer a seated view, grandstands and benches are set up along the route. Grandstand tickets cost 11.00 euro for seniors (65+), visitors with a disability, children under 16 and groups over 20 persons. Benches start from 3.60 euro for the same groups. Buy tickets at In&Uit Brugge at 't Zand (Concertgebouw), the information office on the Markt (Historium) or by phone at +32 78 15 20 20.

Checklist: before you leave for Bruges on Ascension Day

• Parking reserved? Book in advance via SparkSpot or plan to arrive before 11 a.m. if choosing a car park.
• Route checked? Set your GPS to your chosen car park, not to Bruges centre.
• Traffic measures reviewed? Check bloedprocessiebrugge.be for the latest updates.
• Grandstand tickets needed? Buy them in advance at ticketsbrugge.be or at In&Uit on 't Zand.
• Comfortable shoes on? You will walk at least 15 to 20 minutes from your car park to the route.
• Water and sunscreen packed? May can be warm and you will be standing in the sun for hours.
• Departure time planned? The procession ends around 5.30 p.m. Plan to leave after 6 p.m. to avoid the rush.

Frequently asked questions

How much does parking in Bruges cost during the Holy Blood Procession?

Car park rates remain the same as on other days. Centrum Station costs approximately 6.10 euro per day, Katelijne 8.70 euro per day and 't Zand around 14.40 euro per day. A private parking space via SparkSpot is often cheaper, but book early as spaces for event days fill up fast.

When is the Holy Blood Procession 2026?

The Holy Blood Procession 2026 takes place on Thursday 14 May, Ascension Day. The procession departs at 2.30 p.m. from the Dijver and ends around 5.30 p.m. at the Markt. Traffic restrictions begin as early as 8 a.m. in some streets and from 1 p.m. on the full route.

Can I drive into the centre of Bruges on the day of the procession?

Until 1 p.m. most streets are still accessible, but it gets busy early. After 1 p.m. the entire centre is closed to all traffic. Park your car before then or use the free P+R Steenbrugge (185 spaces) and take the bus into the centre.

Is the Holy Blood Procession free?

Yes, you can watch the procession for free along the entire route. Those who prefer a grandstand or bench pay from 3.60 euro. Tickets are available at In&Uit Brugge at 't Zand or at ticketsbrugge.be.

How long does the Holy Blood Procession last?

The procession lasts approximately three hours in total (2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.). At any point along the route, the passage of all groups takes about one and a half hours.