The year in Leuven
The big moments of the year in Leuven: Playground, Leuven Short Film Festival, Christmas market and more, with their dates.
Playground
The live arts festival of STUK and M Leuven: four days of work in both houses and at other places in the city.
Leuven Short Film Festival
Nine days of short films of every genre, with the festival centre at STUK and Cinema ZED on the Naamsestraat.
Christmas market
More than 120 stalls on the Ladeuzeplein and the Herbert Hooverplein, a Ferris wheel and a Christmas village. Free entry; open from noon until 22:00 or 23:00 most days.
Botanique Magique
An hour's walk after dark through the Kruidtuin past eight light installations, with an audio story (English at least once a day). Tickets €15, children 3 to 15 €10; closed on Mondays and on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January.
Year-end Corrida
The year-end run through the car-free centre on the last Sunday of the year, from the Bondgenotenlaan to the Ladeuzeplein. Entries are full, but the route is lined with supporters and bands.
Leuven Countdown
Counting down to 2027 on the Oude Markt with a DJ, from 22:00 to 00:30, free. The cafés carry on after. No glass bottles inside the ring from 20:00.
Artefact
STUK's festival where art, science and technology meet, across several disciplines.
Leuven Jazz
The jazz festival of 30CC, spread over special places all over the city, with international and local musicians and the newest jazz.
Het Groot Verlof and Beleuvenissen
The city's free summer programme: Beleuvenissen concerts on Friday evenings on the Oude Markt, Grote Markt and Vismarkt, the Leuven Zingt sing-along, and Hapje-Tapje, the food route on the first Sunday of August.
Leuven Pride
Leuven Pride becomes a whole week, with the march through the city on the Saturday.
24-Hour Run (24 urenloop)
The student relay: teams from the student unions, halls and colleges run laps of the Sportkot athletics track for 24 hours straight, with food stands and a crowd all night.
