Events calendar Bruxelles - Brussel

We sometimes forget that Brussels is a French-speaking enclave in a historically Flemish land and the capital is a bilingual city. Flanders is therefore celebrated every 11 July. This is the day of the Battle of the Golden Spurs, which was chosen by the Flemish community as its annual festival. On 11 July 1513, an army of Flemish militiamen held off the knights of Philip IV of France. The Flemish troops brought back the golden spurs of the fallen knights as trophies. Concerts and events are organised in Flanders and Brussels.

For 15 years, the Balkan Trafik! festival has been coming to Brussels to show what is best in the artistic world of the Balkan Europe, from Serbia to Turkey. Multi-disciplinary, the program offers concerts, exhibitions, debates, cinema, gastronomy ... a whole range to discover the richness of the cultural mosaic that are the Balkans. Every year, a new street art fresco is created. There are already 5 of them, including a colorful composition of Rikardo Druškić near the Grand-Place.

Belgium has its National Day, the federal components, regions and communities, too, and for the youngest of the regions, Brussels-Capital, it is May 8. Called the Iris Festival (the marsh iris being the flower that adorns the flag of the region), it is spread over several days. It is the occasion for many events: concerts with local artists, animations, guided tours of Brussels' heritage, including some places that are not open to the public. Come and join the people of Brussels!

A brand new urban festival whose first edition took place in 2022, Core is the result of a collaboration between the two biggest Belgian festivals: Rock Wechter and Tomorrowland. This means that the line-up will be very eclectic, ranging from rock, indie pop and hip hop to electro and techno. The 5 stages spread across the Osseghem Park carry Tomorrowland's whimsical touch with art installations. In 2022, Lous and the Yakuza, Paul Kalkbrenner or Jamie XX and the Belgian revelation Sylvie Kreusch opened the fire.

Every year, the capital goes green for a week. This involves events and activities that aim to raise awareness of sustainable modes of transport in Brussels. This is an opportunity to discover the city on foot, by bike or by public transport. Mobility Week ends with the traditional "Car Free Sunday" when no vehicles are allowed to circulate in the region. For the occasion, public transport is free. The city is strangely quiet, but watch out for Sunday cyclists.

Formerly called "Fête de la Communauté française", this date commemorates the revolutionary days of 1830 that led to Belgium's independence. It is the date that was chosen to celebrate the federal body that links the French-speaking people of Wallonia and the French-speaking people of Brussels. Several activities and concerts are offered free of charge throughout the city. The big one on the Grand-Place is not to be missed, where all the artists of the "CFWB", as they say in the jargon, come to perform, often with other French-speaking guests.

For several weeks, every Thursday, Brussels museums open their doors for night-time events, some of which are free. This allows you to enjoy the museums outside of opening hours (for those who could not come during the usual hours, or just "because") and at a reduced rate. Each week, a list of museums is available for reservation. In some institutions, standing guides are at your disposal to reveal the secrets of the exhibitions but you can also meet artists.

In 2003, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the reign of King Albert II, a popular ball was organised on the eve of the national holiday. It has been a great success ever since and is held every year in the heart of Les Marolles! Every year on 20 July, beer flows freely, popular music (in the 2 or even 3 national languages) resounds on the Place du Jeu de Balle and the concerts go on until midnight. For a few years now, the day after the ball, a big National Restaurant where you can eat mussels of course, is also organised. Belgianness in all its splendour!