Brussels is in its mid-summer lull, but there's still plenty to enjoy if you're still in town. From classical music festivals to local folklore, here are all our favourite events lined up in the coming days in Brussels and beyond.
Art & music
Classissimo, Théâtre Royal du Parc, until Tuesday 11 August
Classical music aficionados are in luck as the countdown to Classissimo is finally over! The popular festival is returning to the Théâtre Royal du Parc for its 20th edition this week, hosting established artists and emerging talents with a different theme each night.
Credit: Classissimo
This anniversary edition offers spectators seven evenings of mesmerising music which spans centuries and genres. Enjoy a selection of Spanish and Latin American music this Friday, Dvořák and Brahms on Saturday and 'A Night at the Opera' on Sunday – with plenty more at the start of next week too!
Find more information here.
'Hair, Paper, Water' film screening, Bozar, until Sunday 9 August
'Hair, Paper, Water' follows Cao Thị Hậu, born in a cave once home to the Ruc people, as she strives to keep their language alive. Against Eden-like landscapes captured on grainy 16 mm, the award-winning film offers a poetic immersion into one of Asia's most secluded cultures.
Credit: Nicolas Graux and Trương Minh Quý
The film is a joint Belgian-Vietnamese venture by Nicolas Graux and Trương Minh Quý. Graux grew up in Binche in Belgium's former mining region. In his work, he explores socio-political realities and films with a poetic, sensitive gaze. Trương Minh Quý draws inspiration for his films from his local region, and his work has been showcased at numerous film festivals worldwide.
Find more information here.
Culture & heritage
Meyboom, Grand Place, Sunday 9 August
The planting of the Meyboom (Tree of Joy) is one of Brussels' many folkloric traditions, which takes place on 9 August every year and is a calendar highlight. This year's 718th edition will once again feature the cutting down of the tree in the Sonian Forest, followed by a picturesque parade to the Grand Place.
The Meyboom festival. Credit: Belga / Hatim Kaghat
The Meyboom was first planted in 1213, when Brussels won an important victory over Leuven (although it remains unclear what the dispute was about, with legends ranging from a disrupted wedding party to a beer tax). The annual local tradition has now been recognised as UNESCO intangible heritage.
Find more information here.
'Hôtel Solvay: Horta's Art Nouveau Masterpiece' guided tour, Hôtel Solvay, Saturday 8 August
Lovers of Art Nouveau are in luck as this weekend they will have the exclusive opportunity to visit the Hôtel Solvay, a masterpiece by Victor Horta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Designed by Horta between 1894 and 1903, the building is considered one of the purest and most refined examples of Belgian Art Nouveau.
Hôtel Solvay in 2021. Credit: Gilles van den Abeele
Commissioned by industrialist Armand Solvay, the mansion reflects Horta's innovative vision, focusing on light, space, and fluid architectural movement. From the monumental hall to the carefully chosen materials and decorative details, the house exudes a unified concept where architecture, furniture, and art blend seamlessly.
Find more information here.
Further afield
Antilliaanse Feesten, Hoogstraten, until Saturday 8 August
It's worth making the trek to Hoogstraten in the province of Antwerp this weekend, as one of the world's biggest Caribbean events is taking place: the 43rd edition of the vibrant Antilliaanse Feesten.
Credit: Antilliaanse Feesten
The otherwise quiet Kempen region comes to life during this festival for three days of dancing salsa, zouk, bachata, reggaeton and reggae, drinking the finest rum-based cocktails, and sampling delicious food from diverse world kitchens.
Find more information here.
Mid-week fun
Brussels Flower Carpet, Grand Place, from 13 to 16 August
Don't miss the world-famous flower carpet, which returns to the city's Grand Place next week. It will see over 100 volunteers decorating the square's cobblestones with flowers in all shapes and colours to create a giant floral artwork.
The biennial event attracts hundreds of thousands of people who pass through the square. Visitors can also buy tickets to admire the carpet from the City Hall balcony, and the building's tower is open to the public to offer even more impressive views of the artwork.
The finishing touches are put to the 50th edition of the Flower Carpet in 2022. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
The 2026 flower carpet will celebrate 160 years of diplomatic and friendly relations between Belgium and Japan and recreate the iconic Japanese artwork 'The Great Wave of Kanagawa' by artist Hokusai using 500,000 dahlias, covering nearly 1,300 square metres.
For the first time, a second flower carpet will also be displayed at Bourse, themed around hops as a symbol of Belgium's brewing heritage.
Find more information here.
