The Belgian capital’s end of summer music and arts festival, Forest Sounds, returns to the iconic Forest Abbey at the end of August, with the festival’s future at risk.
This year, Forest Sounds will take place on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 August 2025 – the festival’s usual customary slot to close out Brussels' summer season in style before the dreaded rentrée.
The kids-friendly festival will showcase its usual array of concerts, DJ sets and artistic performances across various stages in the historic grounds of the abbey.
Some of the highlights from this year include Rotterdam funk and boogie band Another Taste, Brussels' favourite genre-bending DJ Lefto Early Bird, French rapper Ucci Why and Forest Law, a UK artist inspired by Brazilian music.
Organisers have announced two stages, 15 artists, DJ sets, roaming performances, an associative village, a family zone. "In short: two days of meaningful celebration — free price, open to all."
Forest Sounds
Future at risk
While it is usually free, this year’s edition will have a non-obligatory "fair price" of €5, inviting attendees to pay what they can, even €10 or €15. The festival says this is important to ensure it can continue to operate.
"From day one, Forest Sounds festival has aimed to be open to everyone — no financial barriers. But today, that model is under threat," organisers said. They cite unstable cultural funding and the few contributions in the past, which have "put the festival’s future at risk."
In 2024, each person contributed an average of €1.80, but the festivals says it needs at least €5 per person to keep the festival going.
Forest Sounds
There is also a solidarity platform for those wanting to donate a specific amount, with the festival offering exclusive rewards such as posters, t-shirts and beers.
The festival is organised by the non-profit Le Palais des Sciences, who are also behind the popular Brussels event Anti-Tapas. They also collaborate with BRASS (Cultural Center of Forest), and the Municipality of Forest.
It prides itself on 'alternative programming', selecting artists on the basis of their originality and irregardless of genre. Every year, Forest Sounds invite local NGOs working on social and human rights issues.
