The year in Brussels

Nov 2026 – Sep 2027 · 12 moments

The big moments of the year in Brussels: Winter Wonders, Brussels Motor Show, Bright Brussels and more, with their dates.

November2026
27Nov

Winter Wonders

27 November 2026 – 3 January 2027

The Christmas market and winter fair: more than 200 chalets from the Grand-Place to the Bourse, Sainte-Catherine, the Fish Market (Vismet), Place de la Monnaie and Place de Brouckère, with the Christmas tree and a sound-and-light show on the Grand-Place, an ice rink and a Ferris wheel. Entry is free; open 12:00 to 22:00, until 18:00 on 24 and 31 December.

January2027
8Jan

Brussels Motor Show

8 – 17 January 2027

The Brussels Motor Show, with the new cars of the year in the halls of Brussels Expo on the Heysel.

February2027
Febusually

Bright Brussels

Usually four evenings in mid-February; most recently 12–15 February 2026, 2027 not on the festival's site yet

Four evenings of light art in the streets and squares of the city centre, free to walk.

19Feb

Anima

19 – 28 February 2027

The international animation film festival: ten days of short and feature-length animation at Flagey and other cinemas.

March2027
25Mar

BIFFF

25 March – 10 April 2027

The Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival: fantasy, horror and science fiction for two and a half weeks. Its 45th edition.

April2027
15Apr

Art Brussels

15 – 18 April 2027

The contemporary art fair at Brussels Expo, with galleries from Belgium and abroad.

May2027
Mayusually

Brussels Pride

Usually a Saturday in mid-May; most recently 16 May 2026, 2027 not announced yet

The march through the centre and a village at the Mont des Arts, with parties in the bars around Rue du Marché au Charbon.

21May

Brussels Jazz Weekend

21 – 23 May 2027

Three days of free jazz concerts on the Grand-Place, Place Sainte-Catherine and Place de la Bourse, and in bars and clubs across the city.

June2027
Junusually

Couleur Café

Usually the last weekend of June; most recently 26–28 June 2026, 2027 not announced yet

A summer festival since 1990: world music, hip-hop, reggae and soul on several stages in Osseghem Park, by the Atomium.

July2027
Julusually

Ommegang

Early July; most recently 1–4 July 2026 with the shows on 1 and 3 July, 2027 not announced yet

The re-enactment of Charles V's entry into Brussels in 1549, on UNESCO's intangible heritage list: some 1,400 people in costume, jousting and a market on the Sablon, and two evening shows on the Grand-Place.

21Jul

Belgian National Day

Wednesday 21 July 2027

Belgium's national day: the military parade by Brussels Park and the Royal Palace, a fair with stands in the park and the streets around it, a flypast, and fireworks at night.

September2027
Sepusually

BRIFF

In September; most recently 4–12 September 2026, 2027 not announced yet

The Brussels International Film Festival: premieres, Belgian and international films and open-air screenings, in cinemas in the city centre.