The summer season is drawing to a close, but there is still plenty to enjoy in Brussels and beyond before heading back to the office, school, or university.
From a hot air balloon festival to a celebration of Indian food, flea markets and live music in the city's parks, here's what's on this weekend.
Art, music and culture
PomPomPom, Vaux Hall, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August
Belgium may be the land of beer, but the annual festival dedicated to cider – now in its fourth year – is taking the city by storm. In the Vaux Hall venue in a quiet corner of Parc de Bruxelles, visitors can expect 22 producers of the delicious drink, hailing from Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Portugal and the UK.
Credit: PomPomPom
This year, there will be even more cider and music, with live concerts and DJ sets ranging from rock to ambient, experimental jazz to baile funk – all to be enjoyed alongside a mouthwatering barbecue.
Find more information here.
Festival Plazey, Parc Elisabeth, from 22 to 24 August
Inclusion, accessibility and fun are the three factors are at the heart of Plazey, a free city festival that takes place annually in Parc Elisabeth in Koekelberg and is organised by two local community centres.
Credit: Plazey
The event, which advertises itself as one big, entirely free party, will host a flea market on Friday – where visitors can flog their wares at a free stall – and Latin dance workshops for people of all ages and levels and enjoy live music on Saturday.
Find more information here.
Indian Food Festival, Parc du Cinquantenaire, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August
Celebrate India's rich culture this weekend at the annual food festival! With over 100 varieties of dishes and desserts on offer (over half of which are vegetarian) and more than 25 food stalls bringing the best and most popular dishes from north, south, east and west India, there is truly something for everyone.
Credit: Indian Food Festival
On top of all the food on offer, there will be live music, cultural shows, yoga sessions, dynamic Indi-pop bhangra and interactive workshops, transforming the EU's quarter's biggest green space into a joyful, colourful carnival.
Find more information here.
Out and about
Uccle Fort Jaco flea market, Chaussée de Waterloo, Sunday 24 August
This weekend, Uccle is holding its annual Fort Jaco market from 06:00 until 17:00. The mammoth market stretches along Chaussée de Waterloo, between Avenue Alphonse XIII and Avenue Van Bever. Some 500 stallholders will be in attendance, ready to display their wares.
Credit: Brocante Fort-Jaco
As well as hunting for treasures, this market also offers bouncy castles, duck fishing, a carousel and bungee jumping, as well as food and drink stalls – making it the perfect day out for all the family.
Find more information here.
Brussels Dance Festival, various locations in the city centre, until 28 August
If you haven't checked out Brussels Dance Festival yet, now is the time! Festivities are well underway in the city centre, and Place de la Bourse and Place De Brouckère have been brought to life and are buzzing with activity and music. 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 enjoy free performances and concerts, while De Brouckère is hosting workshops, dance battles and installations. There are also immersive sound experiences, dance walks, museum nights and afterparties on offer.
Find more information here.
Further afield
Hottolfiades hot air balloon festival, Île de l'Oneux, from 22 to 24 August
Fancy feeling as light as a feather this weekend? Head over to the Hottolfiades festival and take to the skies in one of the 40 hot air balloon rides. There will be five flights lasting around 45 minutes: two on Friday (17:30 and 18:30), two on Saturday (06:30 and 18:30) and a final flight on Sunday (07:00). All flights are dependent on weather conditions and cost €190 per person (or €205 including brunch post-flight).
Credit: Hottolfiades Party - Festival International de Montgolfières de Hotton / Facebook
For those not willing to splash the cash, there will also be plenty of festivities taking place on the ground. These include a barbecue competition on Saturday, where grill enthusiasts can put their skills to the test and share their passion for cooking through four courses. Also on the cards are concerts and a craft market, with artisanal pottery, jewellery and textiles. Children can also enjoy a launch of mini balloons and stuffed animals at 19:00 on Saturday and Sunday.
Mid-week fun
Ancienne Belgique's free summer festivals, from 25 to 29 August
Brussels' iconic music venue AB is once again taking over Parc de Bruxelles with its free music festivals at the end of the month: 'Boterhammen In Het Park' ('sandwiches in the park' in English) during the day and 'Feeërieën' ('fairytales') in the evening under the trees, as well as Bar Chaud. Expect the best Dutch-speaking artists of the moment and a range of activities, such as free dance workshops, skate classes, jams and battles to mark the end of the summer season.
Credit: AB
'Boterhammen In Het Park's 2025 line-up features the magical indie pop of De Toegift, the explosive energy of Prins S. en De Geit, the return of iconic group Madou with Vera Coomans, and Flemish music icon Guido Belcanto inviting rising star Kaat Van Stralen, and others. Feeërieën also promises another diverse programme, with the unique trio Merope, Irish collective ØXN, Elijah Minnelli, Fulu Miziki and the New York-born, Berlin-based rapper Sorvina, Brussels DJ M I M I, and much more. All activities are free and no booking is necessary – just turn up on the day!
Find more information here.
