Brussels is warming up and Brusseleers are preparing to profit from long summer days. The city offers a range of exciting open air events every year. What's on in 2025?
From sunshine raves to outdoor screenings to theatre festivals for kids, there is ample opportunity to get out and about if you're staying in Brussels for the summer. The Brussels Times has selected several must-see open air events – the tip of the iceberg of the seasonal cultural offering.
Open air raves
Credit: ra.co
Brussels' best-known nightclub Fuse is heading into the open on Saturday 7 June. The party kicks off at 14:00 in Circle Park, Anderlecht with live DJ sets from Ignez, Altinbas, Border One and Phine until 22:00. Food and bike racks are will be available on site.
The venue is a 15 minute walk from Brussels-Midi train station and can also be accessed by the metro (Clemenceau station).
Attendees can then dance their way over to Fuse on Rue Blaes (Marolles) from 22:00 to continue into the night, with DJ sets from D.Dan, Philippa Pacho, Marie-Julie and Downsid.
Those interested have the choice between an open air ticket, an afterparty ticket or a combi ticket.
Buy tickets here. Find more information about other open air raves this summer here.
Open air cinema
Credit: Liberation Films
An undoubtable favourite for those who spend the summer months in the capital, Liberation Films is once again hosting Bruxelles Fait Son Cinema, a series of open air film screenings from Friday 27 June to Tuesday 15 July.
Launched in 2001, the initiative originally aimed to cater to neighbourhoods that lacked cinemas. This year, each screening will take place in a different municipality, starting with Le comte de Monte Cristo in Ixelles on Friday 27 June.
The screenings are free, do not require prior reservation and are open to anyone. Each one begins at nightfall (around 22:10). Make sure to check what language the film is available in (many are in French and don't always include English or Dutch subtitles).
Find the full programme here.
Festival Afrodisiac
Credit: Festival Afrodisiac
Sunny days bring plenty of festivals to the fore, and Brussels has not scrimped this year. Festival Afrodisiac will take place in Bois de la Cambre on 12 and 13 July looks to be a particularly special event.
Under the theme 'The Children of Congo: The future of a continent', Festival Afrodisiac describes itself as Brussels' largest free cultural event dedicated to Africa and children's rights.
Attendees can expect live concerts, artistic performances, exhibitions, family entertainment, a children's village and Afro-fusion cuisine. Activities will take place in French and/or Dutch.
The fun atmosphere will be blended with citizen's awareness: the theme highlights the realities of Congolese children's lives and makes a concrete commitment to the WATOTO WETU project, a local initiative aimed at supporting children who have suffered trauma through art and creative expression.
Find more information here.
Théâtres Nomades
Credit: Théâtres Nomades
Théâtres Nomades is another free, family-friendly festival that will run from 14 to 17 August in Bois de la Cambre.
Around 100 artists will put together 30 performances and over 50 more activities, including but not limited to theatrical creations, acrobatic dancing and aerobic circus (all in French). Around 25,000 people are expected to attend.
Find more information here.
