Brussels Sets May 2, 2027 for Second Annual Car-Free Day
Brussels will introduce a second annual car-free day starting in 2027, with the date set for Sunday, May 2, pending approval from all 19 communes of the Brussels-Capital Region, according to RTBF. The announcement marks a significant expansion of the city’s sustainable mobility efforts, which have long centered on a single car-free Sunday each September.
Background and Context
Brussels has held an annual car-free day since the early 2000s as part of European Mobility Week, typically on the third Sunday of September. On this day, all motorized traffic is banned across the Brussels-Capital Region from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM, creating what is widely regarded as the largest car-free zone in Europe. The event traditionally features street activities, cycling events, flea markets, and cultural programming.
The push for a second car-free day has been led by Brussels Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt (Groen), who first publicly advocated for multiple car-free days as early as September 2021. The principle was formally inscribed in the Regional Policy Declaration (Déclaration de Politique Régionale) in February 2026 by the newly formed Brussels government, a coalition of MR, Groen, Les Engagés, and Vooruit.
A Compromise Date
The original proposal aimed to align the new car-free day with the Iris Festival (Fête de l’Iris) on May 8. However, in 2027, that Sunday falls on Mother’s Day (May 9), triggering opposition from residents and businesses concerned about disrupted family plans and weekend returns. This forced the government to seek an alternative.
The compromise date of May 2 resolves the immediate calendar conflict. From 2028 onward, the second car-free day will permanently coincide with the Iris Festival weekend, as the Mother’s Day conflict will no longer apply.
Two Distinct Visions
Unlike the September edition, which focuses on sustainable mobility and reducing car dependency, the May car-free day will emphasize community and local discovery. Van den Brandt explained that the May edition will feature discovery circuits of local businesses, extra-large terraces, and flea markets, encouraging residents to explore their neighborhoods in a new light.
“In September, the focus is on sustainable mobility. In May, it will be about discovering a quality, pleasant region,” Van den Brandt said. “Partners are encouraged to occupy the freed-up space with extra-large terraces, flea markets, etc.”
Political Dynamics and Opposition
The second car-free day represents a carefully negotiated compromise within Brussels’s coalition government. For Groen, it fulfills a key campaign promise — Van den Brandt had originally advocated for up to four car-free days per year. For the MR (Mouvement Réformateur), accepting the measure was part of a broader coalition agreement that also secured an evaluation of the controversial Good Move mobility plan.
Not all local leaders are on board. Olivier Maingain, the mayor of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert (Lib-res), has been a vocal opponent, refusing to bear the budgetary cost of organizing the event in his commune. “I will not bear the budgetary cost of this new car-free day,” Maingain stated, also warning that residents returning from weekend trips would face significant delays at the city’s gates.
Minister-President Boris Dilliès (MR) has expressed support for the measure while emphasizing the need for it to be more than just a symbolic gesture. “We must make it more than just a friendly day,” Dilliès said, underscoring the importance of educational and awareness-raising components.
Broader Mobility Context
The second car-free day is just one of ten key mobility measures outlined in the Regional Policy Declaration adopted in February 2026. Other measures include an LEZ annual pass priced at €350 instead of fines, a reinforced S-Train network with a minimum of four trains per hour, and the suspension of the Metro 3 project for a budget review. The declaration also commits €40 million per year for road redevelopment aimed at encouraging modal shift.
This package reflects the delicate balance within the coalition government. While Groen secured the second car-free day as a signature policy, the MR successfully pushed for an evaluation of the controversial Good Move plan, which had become a major political flashpoint in the 2024 regional elections. The new Regional Mobility Plan (PRM) will replace Good Move while maintaining its core principles of traffic calming and reduced car dependency.
Implications and Outlook
The success of the second car-free day hinges on approval from all 19 Brussels communes, some of which have expressed reservations about costs and logistics. If approved, May 2, 2027 will mark a milestone in Brussels’s gradual shift toward reduced car dependency, creating a predictable biannual pattern from 2028 onward.
The move also raises broader questions about the future of urban mobility in Brussels. With the new government committed to evaluating and potentially replacing the Good Move plan while maintaining core principles of modal shift and traffic calming, the second car-free day could serve as a testing ground for more ambitious car-restriction measures in the years ahead.
For now, all eyes are on the 19 communes, whose decision will determine whether Brussels residents will be enjoying two car-free Sundays a year starting next spring.