Pilgrimage and Octave Market at Luxembourg Cathedral

Known locally as Oktav, the Octave pilgrimage is the largest religious event in Luxembourg. It takes place every year in Luxembourg City, between the third and fifth Sundays after Easter.

In 2027, the event will take place from April 18 to May 2.

The Octave Pilgrimage is accompanied by the Octave Market, or Maërtchen in Luxembourgish.

Celebrated since the 17th century, the Oktav now draws nearly 90,000 pilgrims. Coming from all over the greater region, the faithful gather to pay homage to the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, patroness of the country, and comforter of the afflicted. In 2025, the Octave celebrated its 400th anniversary. To mark the occasion, a jubilee was held in Luxembourg, as is done every 100 years of the Octave.

The Origins of the Oktav Pilgrimage

While the plague raged in Luxembourg in 1666, believers came to implore a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary, endowed with miraculous powers, to heal the sick. The ancient statue was the object of great religious fervor.

Originally erected at the Champ du Glacis (in the Limpertsberg district), it was later moved to the city of Luxembourg.

Since then, the statue of Our Lady of Luxembourg has been displayed in Luxembourg Cathedral on a gilded pedestal. During the Octave pilgrimage, pilgrims gathered to pay homage to her, offer prayers, and ask for blessings. The Octave celebrations began on the third weekend after Easter and lasted eight days.

The Octave Experience Today in Luxembourg

Since the 17th century, the Octave pilgrimage, or “Oktav,” has continued to be observed with great enthusiasm. Originally a purely religious event, it has evolved into a traditional gathering that brings together pilgrims and visitors alike, all curious about history and folklore.

The Octave now lasts two weeks in April or May, depending on the date of Easter. During the Octave, pilgrims come from Luxembourg and throughout the Greater Region to pray to the Virgin Mary. They gather at Luxembourg Cathedral and participate in various religious ceremonies and processions during the two weeks of the Octave. The atmosphere is filled with devotion, unity, and joy.

For the occasion, the cathedral is richly decorated. The statue of Saint Mary the Consolator is dressed in festive attire. A grand procession marks the end of the two-week Octave pilgrimage. Devotees in traditional costumes carry the statue of the Virgin Mary through the streets of Luxembourg City. Religious hymns and prayers accompany the procession.

The Grand Ducal family follows the procession, as do the country’s political leaders. Afterward, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg appear on the balcony of the Grand Ducal Palace in the Old Town to greet the crowd, accompanied by the rest of the Grand Ducal family.

The Octave Market or “Maërtchen”

Coming from far and wide, the pilgrims attending the various religious celebrations of the Octave needed to eat. From the very beginning of the Octave, food stalls set up in front of the cathedral allowed pilgrims to find food. These were the beginnings of the Octave Market or “Mäertchen.” The Maërtchen is part of Luxembourg’s spiritual and cultural heritage. It has become a key element of local traditions.

Indeed, the small food stalls from the traditional Octave pilgrimage are now among the many attractions of the Octave Market. Set up on the large Place Guillaume II, also known as “Knuedler,” and around Luxembourg Cathedral, the Octave Market attracts the faithful as well as other visitors. In fact, families living in Luxembourg and beyond take part in the festivities. They can enjoy the food stalls, the carousels set up for the occasion on Constitution Square, and the various Octave events.

The Octave pilgrimage in Luxembourg thus combines not only spirituality but also history and cultural celebrations. But this is not the only event of its kind in Luxembourg. The pilgrimage of Our Lady of Fatima in Wiltz also celebrates Luxembourg’s religious values. Similarly, and unique in its kind, the dancing procession of Echternach is listed as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. Participating in it offers a chance to discover Luxembourg’s customs and traditions.