Brussels is now fully in the summer mood, and the city's packed cultural agenda reflects this. What better way to celebrate the end of the working week than by exploring one of the capital's guinguettes, discovering a wild swimming spot, or enjoying one of the many events on our weekend agenda?
From dance battles celebrating Flanders' Community Day to DJ sets and theatre under the stars, there is something for everyone. Find our favourite events over the coming days below.
Art, music and culture
Brussel Danst, various locations in Brussels, Friday 11 July
There will be a wide range of festivities, music and dance performances across Brussels on Friday to mark the annual Flemish Community Day, which is a public holiday in Belgium's northern region. Ancienne Belgique in Brussels will host the Brussel Danst Dance Battles, while a nearby street between library Muntpunt and opera house La Monnaie/De Munt will host a Roller Skate Jam.
Brussel Danst (Brussels Dances), Monday 11 July 2016 in Brussels. Credit: Belga / Thierry Roge
In the evening, singers such as Ronny Mosuse, Stijn Meuris and Loes Van den Heuvel will perform classic Flemish songs alongside international choirs and musicians at the Singalong in Symphony event on Grand Place. Further afield, a free open-air concert called Vlaanderen Feest! will take place on Antwerp's central Grote Markt, as well as over 200 other events across Flanders.
Find more information on Brussel Danst here.
Festival Afrodisiac, Bois de la Cambre, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 July
Festival Afrodisiac reflects the diversity of the African continent and its cultures through immersive concerts, animations, socially conscious exhibitions, family activities, a children's village and delicious food from a variety of Afro-fusion food stalls. The festival stands out as being the largest cultural and artistic event in Belgium dedicated to solidarity and defending children's rights in Africa.
Credit: Festival Afrodisiac
Beyond the festive aspect, the non-profit behind the concept, CIProC, is raising public awareness through this year's theme 'The children of Congo, the future of a continent.' CIProC wants to highlight the realities experienced by Congolese children and supports traumatised children through art and creative expression.
Find more information here.
Bruxellons!, Château du Karreveld, until Saturday 27 September>
Every summer for the past 25 years, this unique festival brings theatre to life at the magical green haven of Château du Karreveld in the Brussels municipality of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, showcasing the diversity of French-speaking Belgian performing arts and introducing musicals to Belgium. Major musicals have been put on every summer for the last decade, ranging from 'The Sound of Music' and 'Blood Brothers' to 'My Fair Lady' and 'West Side Story'.
Credit: Gregory Navarra
This year, visitors can look forward to two French-language world premieres: 'Rebecca', a romantic, suspenseful and captivating musical based on the famous novel by Daphne du Maurier and the legendary Alfred Hitchcock film, and 'Goodbye Norma Jeane', which explores the enigmatic last night of Marilyn Monroe and the secretive life of the woman behind the legend.
Find more information here.
Play Label Open-Air, Circle Park, Saturday 12 July
Play Label is heading back to the stunning Circle Park this weekend with another stellar line-up.
Vitess will be giving a special live performance, alongside Casa Voyager boss Driss Bennis aka OCB, Fais Le Beau, and a b2b session between DJ Fossette and Unos. Food will be available on site. Tickets are limited so get yours fast!
Find more information here.
Lire dans les parcs, various locations, until 22 August
During the summer months in Brussels, books are brought to the great outdoors across the region's 19 municipalities, giving old, stuffy libraries a new name.
[caption id="attachment_597626" align="alignnone" width="1920"]
Credit: Lire dans les parcs [/caption]
Throughout the summer holidays, free readings of a variety of books will take place in some of Brussels' green spaces. Activity leaders will be on hand to help youngsters aged three to ten discover the pleasure of reading while enjoying time outside in local parks.
Find more information here.
Final weekend!
'Quai d'Été', Quai des Péniches, until 13 July
The first edition of Quai d’Été is approaching its final destination. Make sure not to miss the final days of free fun on the quay, including mini golf, pétanque and yoga, children's activities, Mölkky (Finnish skittles), urban tennis and trampolining. There are also deckchairs to unwind in, and a bar with food available throughout the day.
There are also still some tickets left for the final festive cruises on Saturday and Sunday, with Brussels DJs performing aboard The Boat as it sails along the canal, complete with drinks and dancing on the decks.
Find more information here.
'Bruxelles fait son cinéma', various locations in Brussels, until 15 July
Don't miss the final few days of the travelling film festival 'Bruxelles fait son cinéma'! Launched in 2001, the festival offers free outdoor screenings across all 19 municipalities of Brussels. It aims to revive the tradition of neighbourhood cinemas, which are now "almost entirely gone," by showcasing films in some of Brussels' lesser-known locations, providing audiences with a chance to rediscover the city's diversity.
Credit: Bruxelles Fait Son Cinema
As the festival draws to a close, film enthusiasts can still look forward to screenings of 'La Plus Précieuse des marchandises' in Uccle (11 July), 'Crossing Istanbul' in Forest (12 July), 'HLM Pussy' in Koekelberg (13 July), 'En Fanfare' in Auderghem (14 July) and lastly 'À Bicyclette!' in Watermael-Boitsfort (15 July). Screenings will begin at nightfall and no reservations are needed.
Find more information here.
