Tervuren will echo with the sound of hunting horns and hoofbeats on Sunday 26 October, as the Brotherhood of Saint Hubert stages its annual celebration and procession in honour of the patron saint of hunters, animals and nature.
The event is among Belgium’s oldest local religious traditions and highlights Tervuren’s centuries-old bond with Saint Hubert – a connection stretching back more than a thousand years. Legend has it that the saint once owned land in Tervuren and may even have died there. His legacy endures in the 17th-century Saint Hubert Chapel in Warande Park and through the Brotherhood founded in 1605.
The celebrations begin at 10:30 with a solemn Mass at Saint John’s Church, accompanied by the Saint Cecilia Choir and the Royal Antwerp Hunting Horn Circle. Around 11:45, riders and horse-drawn carriages will depart from the Africa Palace, joined by local dog clubs featuring breeds such as the Tervuren Shepherd, Schnauzer and Pinscher. The procession winds through the historic town centre towards the Saint Hubert Chapel, where horses, dogs and other pets receive individual blessings.
Along the route, local scouts distribute small blessed rolls – a centuries-old custom said to protect residents from rabies. The celebration ends with a flourish of hunting horns and greetings from local dignitaries, including the mayor.
Tervuren’s devotion to Saint Hubert has weathered many challenges. The last major procession before the French Revolution took place in 1795, after which religious gatherings were banned under French rule. The tradition only returned following Napoleon’s Concordat of 1802, which restored freedom of worship.
More recent years have brought their own trials. In 1992, strong winds forced police to close Warande Park, and riders and their dogs were blessed instead at Saint John’s Church. In 2020, the pandemic restricted celebrations to a small Mass with just a few horn players.
Looking ahead, the Brotherhood will have to soon start preparing for a landmark year. In 2027, Tervuren will mark the 1,300th anniversary of Saint Hubert’s death, hopefully with a series of special events that could include parades, concerts and fireworks.
Visitors are warmly invited to join Sunday’s festivities, which coincide with a local fair on the Market Square. More information and a century of photographs can be found at www.sinthubertustervuren.be.
By Dafydd ab Iago. © Article and photos licensed © 2025 for Tervuren+ under CC BY-SA 4.0.
