Best of Brussels in May 2024

It is May already! And finally a bit of sunshine is here in Brussels as I write this piece. Hoping the weather stays good for the rest of the month, here is our list of events for you to explore in the city. Do not miss that there are three public holidays in May, with ample opportunities to visit all the exhibitions and fun events!

Brussels Short Film Festival
In its 27th edition this year, the BSFF offers more than 250 Belgian and International short films over 11 days at 3 locations. There are workshops, activities, competitions and a Marquee too for leisure.
Until 04 May
Info and tickets

Celebrate Europe Day in Brussels
Don’t miss a chance to visit the European Parliament and other EU institutions on Saturday 4 May! Discover the Hemicycle, attend interesting Side Sessions at the Info Hub on Esplanade Solidarność 1980 or join guided tours and many fun activities around the Parliament.
4 May
Full programme

Iris Festival 2024
Enjoy Iris Festival on 4 & 5 May – it’s a true celebration of Brussels on various locations around the city. Brussels-Capital Region’s 35th anniversary will be marked with plenty of concerts, guided tours and other free activities for the whole family.
4 & 5 May
Discover the programme

Polish Day in Brussels
The 3rd edition of Polish Day in Brussels back again at Cinquantenaire Park on 4 May. This event is a great celebration of Polish culture in Belgium and stands as the largest Polish festival in this part of Europe. This year’s edition holds special significance as it coincides with the 20th anniversary of Poland’s accession to the European Union.
On 4 May
More info

Les Nuits Botanique
The 31st edition of Nuits Botanique started on 24 April until 5 May, opening the season of the festivals! With an eclectic program of musicians from different backgrounds, the festival is keen to reveal new local and international productions.
Until 5 May
More info

Vintage market
If you like the style, then Brussels Vintage Market at Reset is the place for you. More than 50 exhibitors, vintage & local creators, clothes, accessories, vinyls deco & more. There will be also music, food & drinks.
on 5 May
More info

WAW! P(art)cours-Par(kunst)
WAW – as in Woluwe St Lambert / Auderghem / Woluwe St Pierre – these 3 communes have been organising a biennial of public art for the last 10 years. The parks and squares of these communes will be adorned with installations by 14 artists with the theme to (re)enchant the city of Brussels.
Until 23 June
More info

Brel! The Show.
Admirers of Jacques Brel’s music will be thrilled – Brel! The Show will be playing in Brussels from 9 – 11 May and in Liege on 12 May.
More info

Jam’in Jette Outdoor – Free Festival
This is a 100% free outdoor festival. The 12th edition will have two stages with 15 artists from all over the world. Also on the program – circus and street artists under our big top, craft villages, bars & restaurants as well as a children’s village.
17-18 May
More info

New Temporary expo: Bellum et Artes – Europe and the Thirty Years’ War
The House of European History has a new temporary exhibition Bellum et Artes (War and Arts) exploring the role of the arts during the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648).
More info

Autoworld museum: Ford Mustang 60 Years
Autoworld is highlighting the 60th anniversary of the iconic Ford Mustang with the temporary exhibition ‘Ford Mustang 60 Years: Celebrating the Golden Sixties.’
3 May – 30 June
More info

Streat Fest 2024
A culinary festival that celebrates urban gastronomy from around the world is back at Tour & Taxis from from 16 to 19 May. Expect 4 days of culinary experiences, concerts & DJ sets and other small pleasures.
More info

Justice pour het Paleis Foto expo Photo
Photo exhibition of art school RHoK in Palais de Justice, from 4-19 May.
More info

Magritte Immersive Experience
Since this is the 100th year of surrealism, adding to the celebrations is this new event. Embark on an immersive journey to rediscover Magritte through all his works. Approximately 300 paintings have been digitised for this dynamic and interactive experience.
Until 28 September
Info and tickets

Queen Elisabeth Competition
This year the Queen Elisabeth Competition is dedicated to the violin for the 20th time. The best young violinists from all over the world will compete for the title in Flagey and Bozar.
From 6 May to 12 June
More info

Kunstenfestivaldesarts
Held annually, this is an international performing arts festival dedicated to contemporary theatre, dance, performance and visual arts.
10 May — Sat 01 June
Programme

Brussels Pride
Be a Pride ally and join the Brussels Pride from 12 noon on Saturday 18th May at the Mont des Arts. The theme this year is ‘Safe Everyday Everywhere.’ Express yourself and celebrate the diversity and inclusivity for everyone.
Saturday 18 May, Mont des Arts
More info

Popcorn at MIMA museum
New group show featuring 15 artists who paint a colourful, offbeat and dreamlike picture of our society, with a dose of surrealism comparable to that of the 1930s. The humorous experience is as much a guaranteed visual shock as it is an antidote to winter melancholy.
Until 26 May
Info

Through the Lens of the People of the Carnation Revolution
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution in Portugal. The House of European History in Brussels is organising a talk with Raquel Varela, the author of ‘A People’s History of the Portuguese Revolution.’ Join the author at the museum or online to follow and participate in the event.
Tuesday 28 May, House of European History
Register here

Pro Velo – Guided Bicycle Tours
Explore the city via bicycle tours if you love this leisurexercise! Pro Velo organises guided tours during the weekends from March to November following the street art, architecture, food trails, art nouveau…all around Brussels. You can rent a bicycle (or not) to participate.
More info

Lotto Brussels Jazz Weekend
Every year during the last weekend of May, the city is filled with jazz music around the famous squares and quarters for the public. From old school orchestra performances to electronic jazz, indoor shows to outdoor ones on temporary stages with people milling around – this is not to be missed!
24-26 May
More info

20 km de Bruxelles
It is May, the weather is better, get up and get running (or walking)! This year marks the 44th edition of the ‘20 km de Bruxelles,’ starting from the Parc Cinquantenaire. With 20,000 people participating in this 20 km long event, the last Sunday of May is going to be busy!
26 May
More info

Expo at the Parlamentarium “VOTE: A European Story, ten elections that shaped our world.”
In June 2024, citizens from all European Union Member States will be called to elect their representatives to the European Parliament. A fitting occasion to reflect on how Europe’s supranational democracy has unfolded, from the origins of democratic participation on the continent to the step-by-step building of a true European polity. Until June 2024.
More info

Festival CubaLandz
Contemporary Cuban art and its impact on Cuban culture is the theme of this year’s CubaLandz festival, the 7th edition. Hosted by the BOZAR and BRASS this year, the festival will run for 3 days and includes theatre, art exhibition, concerts and a dance workshop.
From Sat 25 May
More info

Czech Street Party in Brussels
The Czech event of the year in Belgium is back, don’t miss it in Rue Caroly, Brussels.
31 May

Blan Underground Jazz Concert
The series of concerts from Fondation Blan continues. Jonathan Collin and his sister Élodie will display all their musical talent during the evening devoted to discovery of new talents.
31 May
More info

You can also discover some of the ongoing exhibitions and events during this period:

• Brussels Museums Nocturnes. As days get longer, Brussels museums are back with their nocturnal programme. There are guided tours, activities and behind the scenes at various participating museums. Every Thursday from 11 April – 23 May. Info and tickets
  
• TITANIC: The Artifact Exhibition in Brussels. Real objects, real stories. Get a new perspective on the fate of the largest and most luxurious ship of its time. Expect to see authentic artefacts recovered from the wreck of the Titanic at a depth of almost 10,000 feet, the reconstruction of the ship’s rooms and poignant accounts of the passengers present at the time of the shipwreck. At Tour & Taxis. More info
  
• IMAGINE! Hundred years of International Surrealism. 2024 marks a hundred years of international surrealism and there are many important events lined up to celebrate this. The Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Brussels is collaborating with Centre Pompidou in Paris for a touring exhibition on surrealistic art. From Dali, Chirico, Pollock, Miro to Belgian surrealists like Khnopff, Spilliaert, Delville and Minne – discover more than 130 works until 21 July. Info
  
• Folon – A Trip to Brussels. 2024 marks the ninetieth birth anniversary of legendary Belgian artist, illustrator and sculptor Jean-Michel Folon. In retrospect, the Folon Foundation, along with three museums in Brussels has arranged for exhibitions showcasing Folon’s works. There is also a route with twenty Folon sculptures which can be followed from Galleries Royale Saint-Hubert to Mont des Arts and the Sablon square. Info
  
• Histoire de ne pas rire. Surrealism in Belgium. New exhibition on Belgium’s famous avant-garde movement spanning 60 years can be seen in Bozar. Until 16 June. Details
  
• James Ensor. Maestro. 2024 is the year of Ensor, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the death of famous Belgian artist. Bozar pays a tribute with an exhibition highlighting all his facets in an anthology of some 100 works. Until 23 June. Info
  
• James Ensor. Inspired by Brussels. Did you know that Brussels played a crucial role in how Ensor developed as an artist? The exhibition at KBR explores how the city helped to shape Ensor’s quirky and characteristic visual language. Until 2 June. More details
  
• GIANTS, temporary exhibition at Institute of Natural Sciences. A journey through time – a chance to feel small next to 11 gigantic animals that lived after the dinosaurs. Until 25 August. More
  
• Josef and Anni Albers, Iconic Couple of Modernism. The Boghossian Foundation hosts the first exhibition in Belgium of the work of Josef and Anni Albers, two pioneers of modernism who produced pivotal artworks that marked the history of 20th century art. 10 April – 8 September in the Villa Empain. More info
  
• Jules François Crahay. Fashion & Lace Museum in Brussels hosts the first exhibition devoted to Jules François Crahay. This Belgian is one of the last geniuses of couture. For the first time, and thanks to extensive research, the expo offers an opportunity to discover this undeservedly forgotten couturier. Until 10 November. More info

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