The long-awaited Christmas holidays have finally come to Belgium. What better way to celebrate the festive weekend than to explore the bustling capital of Brussels and beyond?
From new musical debuts and Christmas concerts, to torch-lit castle tours and a night in the library, this weekend has it all. Find our favourites below.
Art, music and culture
'A Christmas Carol', Théâtre Molière, Friday 22 and Saturday 23 December
Credit: Alexandre Diaconu
Find more information here.
'Winter Concert - The Nutcracker', BOZAR, Friday 22 and Saturday 23 December
The Bozar Centre for Fine Arts and the Belgian National Orchestra are organising their annual, heart-warming family show this weekend, just in time for Christmas. This year, they are performing Tchaikovsky's famous ballet 'The Nutcracker', conducted by Ryan McAdams.
Credit: Grégoire Pont / BOZAR
As the Belgian National Orchestra play, actor Lucas Tavernier will narrate the story of The Nutcracker and French illustrator and animator Grégoire Pont will provide live illustrations. Pont's beautiful animations accompanied by Tchaikovsky's timeless orchestral music make this the perfect Christmassy evening out for all the family.
Find more information here.
'Jean Jullien: Studiolo' exhibition, MIMA, until Sunday 7 January
French artist Jean Jullien has amassed a huge following on social media in recent years for his quirky, colourful and comic drawings. Now, he is bringing his vibrant palette and brushes to Brussels for an immersive exhibition.
Credit: Isabella Vivian / The Brussels Times
Transforming walls into playgrounds, Jullien showcases a captivating display of over 80 exclusive portraits, landscapes, cartoons, frescoes and imaginative sculptures across three floors. 'Studiolo' is his most comprehensive exhibition in Europe to date and a fantastic day out for young and old alike.
Find more information here.
Out and about
'Nuit des Bibliothèques', various locations in Brussels and Wallonia, Friday 22 December
Nuit des Bibliothèques ('Night of Libraries') is making its annual return on Friday. Children and their families will be treated to story time in their pyjamas on the theme of nighttime and cuddly toys across the entire network of 128 libraries in Brussels and Wallonia.
Additionally, there will be a Sandman tour and 'Doudou it yourself' workshops until 31 January, in which children can create their own imaginative soft toys inspired by the books they discover.
Find more information here.
Expat cinema: Fallen Leaves, Cinéma Galeries, until Saturday 23 December
One of Brussels' many independent arthouse cinemas, Cinéma Galeries, is offering a screening of 'Fallen Leaves' (Kuolleet lehdet) this Saturday, which tells the story of two lonely people – Ansa and Holappa – whose paths cross by chance one night in Helsinki.
Credit: visit.brussels
Both are on a mission to find the love of their lives, but achieving this proves difficult due to drinking, losing each other's phone numbers and the fact that they don't know each other's names or addresses.
Directed by Aki Kaurismäki, the Finnish-German romantic comedy won the Jury Prize at Cannes Film Festival this year.
Find more information here.
The Lift XXL opening night, Quai des Usines, Friday 22 December
The long-awaited nightclub and former Fiesta Club 'The Lift' is making its debut this Friday with an 'XXL' opening party. Located on the Quai des Usines, the completely refurbished 1,350 m2 club will one of Europe's biggest. It promises a private, guarded car park, moving ceiling, choreography, pyrotechnics, fire-eaters, and much more.
The Lift. Credit: Luc Viatour / Facebook
Hoping to establish itself internationally in the nightlife world by attracting both big names and up-and-coming talents, the club also pride itself on safety with highly-trained staff and a network of cameras to prevent harassment, drugs and other inappropriate behaviour.
Find more information here.
Further afield
Credit: Gauthier Olivier / Château Fort de Bouillon
The castle is currently offering visitors torch-lit tours in both French and Dutch through its stunning interior and the opportunity to discover over 1,000 years of history.
Find more information here.
