This week's warm weather will continue into the bank holiday weekend, much to the delight of tourists and locals. But if you're not planning on topping up your tan at the Costa del Belgium, Brussels' cultural agenda is brimming with activities for all ages.
From dance shows and flower festivals to open-airs and theatre, find all our favourite events below!
Art, music and culture
Festival Théâtre Nomades, Bois de la Cambre, from 14 to 17 August
This free, family-friendly festival dedicated to street art and theatre is returning to the capital region's biggest green space for its 18th edition, transforming the park into a nomadic village complete with open-air stages, Berber tents and caravans.
Credit: Théâtres Nomades
This year, there will be circus, dance and theatre performances, puppetry, stand-up comedy and storytelling. In between performances, families are invited to explore the festival's fairground, and enjoy a refreshing drink and a bite to eat.
Find more information here.
Sablon Music Festival, Place du Grand Sablon, from 15 to 17 August
Get ready for the seventh edition of the Sablon Music Festival! From midday to midnight, free rock, pop, blues and jazz concerts will entertain music lovers of all ages in the heart of the Belgian capital.
Credit: Sablon Music Festival
People from across the city flock to the picturesque, historic square near Brussels' city centre for each edition of this unique event to enjoy free live music, plenty of drinks and quality produce from Sablon's finest shops and restaurateurs.
Find more information here.
Amazing Asia, Tour & Taxis, from 15 to 17 August
Prepare to step into Asia this weekend in Brussels' Tour & Taxis neighbourhood. From an outdoor food market, with sizzling woks and fragrant curries, to the indoor shopping and artisan market, with authentic products, fashion, spices and handmade art on offer, as well as music and dance, this is not one to be missed.
Credit: Amazing Asia
Wander through an oriental market full of handmade jewellery, kimonos, fragrant teas, spices, wellness products and home décor. Outside, visitors can enjoy the best of Asian cuisine with over 25 food stands, offering pad Thai, Vietnamese pho, Japanese takoyaki, Indian samosas, Korean barbecues, among others. There will also be Chinese lion dances, K-pop, calligraphy, origami and temple painting, massages, meditative tea ceremonies and much more.
Find more information here.
Hangar open-air, Place Royale, Friday 15 August
Brussels' ultimate electronic music experience Hangar is back at the Royal Palace this Friday – an iconic venue for an unforgettable open-air event. Legendary Bosnian-German DJ Solomun is ready to take over a new landmark after two sold-out editions at Parc du Cinquantenaire.
Credit: Hangar
Not ready for the night to end after Solomun? An epic after-party has been planned from 23:30 onwards at the capital's recently opened The Standard Hotel.
Find more information here.
Kraftwerk open-air, Place Royale, Thursday 14 August
Also taking to the same stage on Thursday after a successful world tour are electronic pioneers Kraftwerk. Bringing together electronic music, computer animations and performance art, this brand-new show marks another exciting chapter in the group's legendary career.
Credit: Kraftwerk
The multi-media project was established by Ralf Huetter and Florian Schneider in 1970. Since then, the artists have had a major international influence across a range of music genres, including electro, hip hop, techno and synthpop, using innovative techniques, synthetic voices and computerised rhythms.
Find more information here.
Out and about
Brussels Dance Festival, various locations in the city centre, from 14 to 28 August
Brussels will once again transform into the capital of dance for ten days this month, bringing to life Place de la Bourse and Place De Brouckère in the city centre as part of the wider annual Plaisirs d'Été programme. From classical ballet to famous TikTok dances, contemporary, hip-hop, salsa and house dance, there is something for everyone.
Credit: Plaisirs d'été
At Bourse, tourists and locals alike can expect free performances and concerts, while De Brouckère will host workshops, dance battles and installations. There will also be immersive sound experiences, dance walks, museum nights and afterparties.
Find more information here.
Flowertime, various locations in the city centre, from 13 to 17 August
Brussels' City Hall opened its doors on Wednesday for the seventh edition of the Flowertime Festival, which is held every two doors, alternating with the famous Flower Carpet. Some of the finest Belgian and international florists have been given carte blanche to decorate 15 rooms in the town hall on this year's theme of fashion and textile design.
The 2017 edition of the biannual 'Flowertime' event. Credit: Belga/ Benoit Doppagne
Follow the route through the 15 rooms and marvel at the hundreds of delphiniums, chrysanthemums, carnations, germinis, astilbes, thistles, orchids on display, which bring a bit of pep and colour to the sometimes dark and heavy golds of the UNESCO World Heritage building.
Find more information here.
Mid-week fun
Hide & Seek Festival, various locations in Brussels, from 17 to 23 August
Muziekpublique's Hide & Seek is turning ten this year, and its organisers promise a bigger and better programme than ever. Staging traditional music performances in unusual places across Brussels, Hide & Seek is pulling out all the stops this year to take audiences on a musical journey across the globe without ever leaving Brussels.
Credit: Muziekpublique
The 2025 line-up features Alfaia, with hypnotic sounds bridging Arabic and Galician traditions, Toasaves, weaving Flemish polyphony with Eastern folk influences, and Bipolar Bows, a virtuosic string duo fusing folk, jazz and classical music. Families are in for a treat too, with the Ghanaian group ADESA bringing a fun, musical and clowning performance full of storytelling and acrobatics.
Find more information here.
