The municipality comprises the town of Overijse proper, and the communities of Eizer, Maleizen, Jezus-Eik, Tombeek and Terlanen.

Overijse is surrounded by an extensive woodlands (Sonian Forest), with paths for walking and cycling.

The municipality is home to a minority of French-speaking residents and, according to a 2023 census, to 4,389 expatriates including 716 Dutch, 402 French, 389 Romanians, 306 Polish and 281 Germans.

Overijse was the birthplace of the 16th century humanist Justus Lipsius, a professor at Leuven who was friend of the printer and publisher Plantin.

The festival commemorates the industry that shaped the area, namely cultivation of grapes (Dutch druiven).