BRUSSELS—Belgium has cancelled this year's historic reenactment of the Battle of Waterloo after authorities warned that extreme heat posed unacceptable risks to participants, volunteers and spectators, as a wider heatwave continued to grip much of Europe.
Organisers announced the decision late on Thursday, saying the annual event, scheduled for the weekend on the battlefield south of Brussels, could not proceed because of the forecast high temperatures and related public safety concerns. The reenactment typically draws hundreds of history enthusiasts in Napoleonic-era uniforms and thousands of visitors to commemorate the 1815 battle that ended Napoleon Bonaparte's rule.
"Waterloo 2026 reenactments cancelled: safety first," organisers said in a statement, adding that "the safety of the public, participants, volunteers, emergency service workers cannot be compromised."
Local authorities had been monitoring weather conditions as Belgium endured exceptionally high temperatures linked to a broader European heatwave. Organisers had already introduced mitigation measures, including removing horses from the reenactment and modifying the historical encampment, before provincial authorities concluded that the event should be cancelled.
Belgium activated the alert phase of its national heatwave and ozone plan earlier in the week after consultations involving the National Crisis Centre, the Public Health Ministry and the Royal Meteorological Institute. Officials warned that temperatures would exceed 35 degrees Celsius across much of the country, with some areas expected to approach 38C, while elevated nighttime temperatures and increased ozone levels could heighten health risks.
The Battle of Waterloo, fought on June 18, 1815, saw a coalition led by the Duke of Wellington defeat Napoleon's forces, bringing the Napoleonic Wars to an end. The annual commemorative weekend features military camps, demonstrations and a large-scale reconstruction of the battle using period costumes and equipment.
Belgium was among several European countries introducing emergency measures as the heatwave disrupted daily life. Authorities elsewhere on the continent issued health alerts, adjusted public events and warned vulnerable people to avoid prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures as unusually hot conditions spread across western and central Europe.
The Waterloo commemorations will not be held this year, and organisers said the decision was taken solely on safety grounds as the extreme weather persisted.
