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Europe Day 2026

Thousands of visitors celebrated Europe Day at the Council, with plenty of fun activities and a glimpse behind the scenes of EU policymaking.

Looking back at Europe Day 2026

Europe Day marks the anniversary of the Schuman declaration, which sparked the idea of today's EU. Every year, thousands of people come to the EU institutions to celebrate this day.

The 2026 Europe Day event took place on Saturday, 9 May. Visitors of all ages came to the Council’s Justus Lipsius building and discovered an exhibition that took them around the European Union.

Equipped with a Europe Day passport, visitors could travel around all the 27 member states, each welcoming them with interactive games, informative content, and fun facts.

Traditional performances from across the EU, including music and dance, brought the day to life. The little ones enjoyed fun, creative activities at the Kids' Corner and got to meet our playful mascot, Yooki.

Many joined our expert-led guided tours behind the scenes of the Council, which included the rooms where EU leaders meet to discuss the issues that shape our future.

The action-packed programme also included some architectural discoveries, as visitors could explore the Europa building and its unique lantern-shaped space.

President Costa on Europe Day

Watch the video message for Europe Day from António Costa, President of the European Council.

President Costa's message for Europe Day
A group of people walk in front of the large, rounded glass and metal lantern of the Council's Europa building with stylised blue lines and a semicircle of dark blue stars in the background evoking the EU flag.

Photos and videos

A crowd of people in the Council's Justus Lipsius building on the occasion of the Europe Day open day on 9 May 2026.

Everyone is welcome at Europe Day!

President Costa attends Europe Day and shakes hands with a person behind a stand.

President Costa attends Europe Day.

A crowd of visitors inside a Council meeting room with a colour ceiling.

Visitors step into the shoes of EU leaders and visit the Council meeting rooms.

Dancers dressed in black perform in the Council building aula.

Performers from all over Europe delight visitors with traditional music and dance shows.

A smiling bee mascot wearing an EU flag shirt, called Yooki, poses with three people in red and blue jerseys in a busy indoor setting.

Yooki, the Council mascot, made a lot of friends at Europe Day!

Crowds gather in a large hall for Europe Day, watching dancers in traditional attire perform on a central stage. Flags and balloons adorn the space.

Dancers in traditional attire perform on a central stage surrounded by crowds of visitors.

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Celebrate online

And for those who could not make it to Brussels, we made sure to share the Europe Day spirit online, with virtual tours, readings tips on the history of Europe Day, a compilation of architectural insights, musical vibes and educational resources for teachers.

A young person wearing large white headphones and a T-shirt looking at a tablet, with blue stars and diagonal stripes forming a decorative background.

Discover the beginnings of the EU

On 9 May 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman delivered a historic speech grounded in peace and solidarity, encouraging cooperation between nations and supporting Europe's post-war recovery.

This visionary declaration paved the way for an economic community that would gradually grow into today's political union.

A historic meeting scene from 9 May 1950, with Robert Schuman delivering a speech and several people seated around a large table.
The Schuman Declaration - Where the EU was born

The Schuman Declaration - Where the EU was born

Learn more about the Council and stay involved all year round

Protection of personal data

We took photographs and videos to document and promote our Europe Day event at the Council.

Please find below a privacy statement for information on the protection of personal data.

Last review: 12 May 2026