Calendar of Events
Exact dates of events are subject to change. Check with the Brussels tourist office (for more information, click here) before planning a trip around one of these events.
February The spectacular Mardi Gras ‘Carnival of the Gilles’, in Binche, 50km (31 miles) south of Brussels.
April Baroque Spring of the Sablon, classical music performances. The Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition, Brussels.
April–May Royal Greenhouses (Serres) at Laeken, in the north of Brussels, open to the public.
May Kunsten festival des Arts: two weeks of dance, theatre and opera performances at venues in Brussels. Procession of the Holy Blood in Bruges. Brussels Jazz Marathon, an international jazz festival with venues around the city. Flanders Festival: classical music events in abbeys, cathedrals and city halls throughout Flanders.
June Brussels open-air music festival in the city’s squares and parks. Couleur Café: world music in Brussels.
June–August A daily sound-and-light show in the Grand-Place.
June–October Festival of Wallonia, classical music performances are staged in Wallonia.
July Ommegang procession in the Grand-Place on the first Tuesday and Thursday of the month. Belgium’s National Day, 21 July: fireworks at place des Palais. Brosella two-day jazz and folk festival, Brussels. Ghent Festivities, a medieval fair and street entertainment.
July–September The Palais Royal is open to the public.
August Canal Festival, Bruges – every three years (next festival 2021).
9 August Planting of the Maypole, Brussels.
15 August Carpet of Flowers: Every even-numbered year on this day, a flower carpet is laid out on the Grand-Place.
September Antwerp’s Liberation Festivities.
October Brussels Marathon.
December Unveiling of Christmas crib and lights in the Grand-Place, and Christmas market and ice-skating rink at the Marché aux Poissons.