This weekend is the perfect time to be in Brussels without any plans, as the coming days are filled with events, whether you want to dance the day (and night) away, spend a creative day with the family or discover different cultures, there is something for everyone on the agenda.
Arts, music and culture
Festival Théâtres Nomades, Bois de la Cambre, until Sunday 18 August
This free family-friendly festival dedicated to street art and theatre is returning for its 17th edition, once again turning Bois de la Cambre – the region's biggest green space – into a genuine nomadic village, dotted with open-air stages, Berber tents and caravans.
Credit: Festival Théâtres Nomades
Performances by over 35 troupes from different artistic fields including circus, storytelling, dance, theatre, and puppets will take place in several locations. From a fantasy-rich journey filled with adventures to puppet theatre featuring daring old women, much fun is to be had. In between the performances, families are invited to explore the festival's fairground or have a refreshing drink and a bite to eat.
Find more information here.
XRDS 2024, Parc des Etangs in Anderlecht, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 August
Brussels loves experimenting with unique locations for parties and XRDS (pronounced "crossroads") is returning to its playground beneath the highways of the Brussels Ring road. Brutalist above, flora below.
Credit: XRDS
The electronic music event has become a calendar fixture for Brussels and offers a varied programme mastering musical diversity. The three stages will play techno, house, and experimental music.
Find more information here.
International Festival, Les Brigittines, until Saturday 31 August
Les Brigittines' International Festival never disappoints and this year returns with a rich programme of contemporary performances. In line with the trend established in recent years, dance again takes a prominent place.
Credit: Les Brigittines
Every year, the festival centres on a new theme. This year the focus is on "drifting zones and whirlwinds", encouraging spectators to consider the thin line between the narrative and the imaginative and how points of uncertainty create the sensation of entering an unknown world.
Find more information here.
Inspiration from abroad
Indian Food Festival, Parc du Cinquantenaire, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 August
Following last year's successful event, the Indian Food Festival will again bring mouth-watering smells to the European Quarter this weekend. Its eighth edition celebrates India's rich culinary heritage, from gastronomic delights to live cultural events, giving people a real taste of the country.
Credit: Indian Food Festival
Explore the spice and soul of a Biryani, devour Vada Pav (Mumbai's burger with a spicy twist) before washing it down with a soothing lassi or take a bite of a traditional Masala Dosa.
Find more information here.
Festival Verâo La Playa, Place Marie Janson, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 August
On the other side of the city near the Barrière de Saint-Gilles, another vibrant event celebrates Brazilian culture. The area will be transformed into a true tropical party, not unlike those seen in the Latin American country.
Credit: Nice Brazil
Marvel at the samba pagode, sertanejo and forró concerts, take part in initiations in the world-renowned styles of Samba, Zumba, Capoeira and Batucada before trying authentic Brazilian specialities from each region and cooling down with one of the many sublime cocktails served up at the bar. There will even be a wellness area for people to recharge their batteries.
Find more information here.
Latin Reggaeton, Quai de Biestebroeck in Anderlecht, Saturday 17 August
Good things come in threes, as this weekend's international events show. The region's beloved Brussels Beer Project is hosting its very first festival of this type together with the queen of Latin events, Bajo Mundo Latino.
The event location. Credit: BBP
For those unsure about their moves, there will be reggeaton dance classes to become the best on the dancefloor, while those who are ready to bust their boogy will have hours of fun with the DJs and artists scheduled to perform. The food trucks on site will be ready to serve up tasty dishes for when all the dancing makes people hungry.
Find more information here.
