Friday 21 August
- 3:00 pm: Departure of the giant Tirant.
- 4:00 pm: Grand Prix du Mayeur archery competition on the Esplanade.
- 5:00 pm: Carillon concert by Julien Govoorts.
- Around 10:00 pm: Burning of Goliath’s marronnes. After parading through the city, the giant’s bearers set fire to the gigantic straw-stuffed trousers (on the Esplanade site).
Saturday 22 August
- 11:00 am: Grand rehearsal of the Ducasse songs to the sound of the Saint-Julien carillon and brass band instruments.
- 12:00 pm: “Julienne”, the large bell of the Saint-Julien church, announces the official start of the festivities.
- 12:15 pm: Carillon concert by Pascaline Flamme.
- 3:00 pm: Goliath and his Lady, escorted by the groups of the Bleus, dance from the Town Hall to Saint-Julien church, where the Vêpres Gouyasse are celebrated — the marriage of Monsieur and Madame Goliath. These vespers are sung by Vocalis en Compagnie, a vocal ensemble from Ath founded and directed by Sabine Godon, accompanied by a wind quintet, keyboard and percussion. Youth groups from Chorale Rencontre (Sonn’Ath, Cant’Ath and Cant’AthDo) will also take part during the celebration.
- 5:00 pm: The newlyweds return to the Town Hall where the shepherd David confronts the Philistine giant. During this duel, both protagonists recite a dialogue called the “Bonimée”. If the shepherd wins, the giants perform their traditional dance. The tarte à masteilles, a culinary specialty prepared for the Ducasse, is then enjoyed in all families.
- 6:00 pm: Carillon concert by Ath’s team of carillonneurs.
- 8:00 pm: Traditional concert by the Royale Fanfare Union Saint-Martin in front of the Town Hall.
- 9:00 pm: Torchlight parade of the Mont Sarah cannon through the city streets. Participants animate the streets by singing an aria from La Muette de Portici.
Sunday 23 August
- 8:45 am: Carillon concert by Chantal Mollet.
- 9:45 am: The procession, with its 7 giants, 8 allegorical floats, brass bands and historical groups, sets off from the station and crosses the city, arriving around 2:00 pm at the Esplanade. In Ath, the giants are carried by a single person. Their weight ranges between 115 and 130 kilos. The bearers take turns along the route. The horse Bayard weighs over 630 kilos; it dances and rears up at several locations and is carried by 16 men. Saint Christophe de Flobecq moves on stilts. The traditional dance of the Goliath couple takes place at two specific spots: Pont du Gadre (rue aux Gâdes) and Pont du Moulin (rue du Moulin).
50th anniversary of the Groupe du Canon du Mont Sarah this year 2025. - 3:00 pm: Start of the folkloric procession in the opposite direction. Arrival at the Grand’Place is scheduled around 5:00 pm.
- 3:00 pm: Carillon concert by Caroline Jaumotte.
Monday 24 August
- From morning onwards, the giants stroll through the city with their bearers, who receive the thanks of the population.
- 5:00 pm: Parade of the Fanfare Sainte-Cécile and the majorettes of Moulbaix on the Esplanade.
- 6:00 pm: Hot air balloon take-off on the Esplanade.