For the French Community of Belgium, the summer solstice means it is time for the annual Fête de la Musique, now in its 41st year. This annual showcase of musical talent has this year scheduled up to 95% of Community acts across the 4 days of events ending on Sunday 22 June. All events are free to attend.
Fête de la Musique is celebrated in 100 countries around the world as a way to mark the summer solstice. In Belgium, it is organised by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, which is responsible for culture. The first festival took place in Paris in 1982 and Belgium followed in 1985.
The events as part of the festival are scattered across Brussels and Wallonia. The official guide lists all the acts grouped by location which is a great way to sample a bit of everything.
Families are also encouraged to join in for free at the Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) which is celebrating its 25th anniversary on Sunday alongside the festival. MIM's programme features family concerts, workshops, and behind-the-scenes tours.
The main day takes place in Parc du Cinquantenaire on Saturday where the festival is split across the big stage, a tent, and inside the museums. Everything takes place alongside foodtrucks, bars, and activities for children.
Credit: Fête de la Musique
Parc du Cinquantenaire promises a "diverse and varied" line-up to live up to the wider slogan for the festival of "everything, for everyone, everywhere". Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Watermael-Boitsfort, and Uccle have also embraced this slogan with their eclectic programming featuring choral, world, or traditional music from across Europe.
Fête de la Musique - by genre
For those who prefer a certain sound in a single place, there are options across Saturday and Sunday that offers less variety in programming.
Fans of afro-soul, reggae and dancehall can head to Saint-Josse-ten-Noode on Saturday from 15:15 at Square Victoria Regina to join the Tsheza Festival which promises authentic afro-soul and unique rhythms. On Sunday, Hotel Aloft Schuman promises to "take you on a musical journey in a very cozy and family atmosphere" with a whole afternoon of rap, R'n'B, and soul from 16:00 to 20:30.
Jazz and trad also feature strongly this year. On Saturday start in Koekelberg in Jourdan Village at 14:00 before heading over to Forest, Allied Brasserie, from 18:30 to start with a repertoire from the 50s and 60s, with more jazz flowing until late.
Electro and folk-pop fans have a range of options on where to plant their feet. On Saturday you can enjoy two hours of folk-pop in Anderlecht from 19:00 with Elisabetha Spada and Spagguetta Orghasmmond at Aumal Vit. On Sunday in Forest, an electro and folk-pop programme runs from 16:30 until 20:00 at Brass.
Millennials who wish to be transported back to the heyday of manufactured pop can head to Ixelles, where a 90s cover band promises Spice Girls and Nathalie Imbruglia at Opticien Laurent from 15:30 on Saturday.
Fans of rock have two options, in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert on Saturday from 17:30 until 21:00 at Place St Lambert. Alternatively, the Made in BX Festival is on from 16:00 at Costermans in Brussels City on Sunday.
Credit: Fête de la Musique
Outside Brussels
Fête de la Musique is also a great way to take in a visit to other parts of Wallonia, where there is plenty happening.
On Saturday you can enjoy acoustic-folk pop covers in Frasnes-lez-Anvaing from 11:00, punk from 19:00 in Neufvilles, or rock the same evening in Jupilla from 19:00. For an evening of electro-rock and pop visit Attert from 18:00 heading late into the night with Kid Noize headlining.
The best spots to go for a full day of single-genre programming on Sunday include Braine-le-Comte where you can rock out in the Arboretum from 12, or for something more relaxing enjoy classical in Charleroi from 13:30.
The full schedule is available here.
