Belgium has a busy autumn ahead. Thousands of pumpkin sculptures are already up at Grand-Bigard Castle, and Kasterlee will weigh pumpkins close to 1,000 kg on 3 October. On 25 October teams race each other in hollowed-out pumpkins at Lichtaart. After that come a Halloween steam train in the Ardennes and new light walks in Antwerp and Genk. The season ends with Bouillon's hunting festival on 10–11 November.
Most people think of a Belgian autumn as rain and shorter days. This year there's a lot to do in it. Here are ten outings in date order.
Pumpkins first
Pumpkimania, Grand-Bigard Castle, Dilbeek (until 1 November). A Swiss farm has filled the castle park with thousands of pumpkins, stacked into animals and giant sculptures. At weekends you can carve your own or paddle round the pond in a giant hollowed-out pumpkin. From 24 October part of the park becomes a night trail of almost a kilometre with moving figures, light and sound.
La Potironnerie en Fête, Haut-Ittre (2–4 October). The organic pumpkin grower is 30 this year. It is marking that with a festival where you can pick your own in the field, take a tractor ride and try its first pumpkin beer.
Kasterlee, "the pumpkin village" (3, 18 and 25 October). On 3 October growers bring pumpkins that can reach a tonne to the Belgian weigh-off championship. A pumpkin market fills the square on 18 October. On 25 October four-person crews race hollowed-out giants at the Lichtaart regatta, which you won't find anywhere else in the country.
Food and books
Redu book and art market (3 October). Redu, the Ardennes' "book village", has about fifteen bookshops. It now also holds a market on the first Saturday of each month, and artists in the surrounding villages open their studios the same weekend.
C'est bon, c'est wallon, Marche-en-Famenne (3–4 October). Producers from all over Wallonia sell beer, cheese, chocolate, charcuterie and wine directly to visitors. Bring an empty bag.
The spooky part
Witches' Night, Jehay Castle, Amay (16 October). In its 18th year, the event takes over the grounds of the chequered stone castle for one night with ghosts, shows and live music along dark paths.
Halloween train, Mariembourg–Treignes (24–25 October). The 3 Valleys steam line puts ghouls on board and runs through a "haunted" tunnel. The ride finishes at the railway museum in Treignes, and passengers can come in costume.
Light walks
De Grote Schijn, Rivierenhof, Antwerp (29 October–22 November). This walk tells its story with light and sound only, without any words. The route is new this year, and dogs are allowed on some evenings.
Luminova, Thor Park, Genk (30 October–8 November). This is the first edition. It lights up the former Waterschei mine site with interactive art about Limburg's mining past. The route is fully wheelchair-accessible and ends at a food-truck village.
One last one in the Ardennes
Hunting festival, Bouillon (10–11 November). The town's traditional festival has a market selling game and regional produce, hunting horns in the streets, and a procession to the church for the blessing of the animals. The 11th is a public holiday (Armistice Day), so it makes an easy long weekend.
Tickets and times vary by event. Check with each organiser before you go.
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