Best of Brussels in June

June heralds the beginning of summer but this year it has still been kind of touch-and-go. There’s sunshine in the morning, followed by dark clouds, then a sudden hailstorm and back to being slightly cloudy. That’s mostly Brussels as it lets us experience all kinds of weather in a single day! Enjoy while this lasts and take a look at this month’s calendar full of events and festivals!

Thematic Visits : ‘The Senses’ at Maison Hannon
On the occasion of its first anniversary, Maison Hannon is organising thematic visits for the entire day on 1st June. As one of the most celebrated Art Nouveau buildings in Brussels, there is always a lot of interest to discover this house. And here is a great opportunity for a unique visit consisting of olfactory, tactile and visual experiences.
Saturday, 1 June, Maison Hannon
More info

Zinneke Parade
Every alternate year in spring, the Zinneke parade happens where you can see 18 zinnodes. Ths cultural event is a true celebration of Brussels diversity which brings together about 1,500 participants.
1 June
More info

Fête de l’environnement
The Environment Festival organized by Bruxelles Environnement returns to Brussels on Sunday 2 June in the Park of Tour et Taxis. Everyone is invited to join a festive, inspiring day filled with fun and interactive activities for young and old!
2 June, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
More info

Garden Tales. See you in the garden
Discover around thirty gardens and green spaces in Uccle which open their doors to the public for the weekend, free of charge. Enjoy visits to private gardens, nature walks, guided tours, animations in the gardens for children, workshops, picnics and giant games…
1-2 June
More details

Exceptional opening of the Pavilion of Human passions
This (literally hidden) gem in Cinquantenaire Park will be exceptionally open and visible during 7 Sundays in June and July.
First opening on 2 June
More info via Horizon 2030 website

Concerts in the Citizen’s Garden
Concerts in this beautiful hidden garden are back! The 2024 season will feature a series of concerts during the spring and summer period, offering the public the opportunity to enjoy in a very unique outdoor setting and free of charge. The musical performances will feature renowned artists from Brussels and beyond and will include a mix of different music styles.
Daily in June, from Monday to Thursday (start at 13:00)
More info

Brussels Renaissance Festival
The Festival offers a series of events that showcase European heritage and history during the Renaissance highlighting the important role of Brussels during that period. After all, Charles V, the most powerful sovereign of the 16th century, had his main residence in Brussels.
2 June- 5 July
More info

Concerts at the Parlamentarium
Join « a musical voyage through the vision and history of the European Union » during this special series of concerts at the Parlamentarium. Free entry, registration necessary.
4 – 7 June
More info

UNIQUE – Beyond Photography
UNIQUE is truly a unique photo exhibition of 21 artists, half of whom are Belgian. It is a group show that illustrates the collective creative effort of the artists.
Until 8 June, Hangar
More info

JEM International Puppet Festival
This year is the 7th edition of this international puppet festival, with 39 performances of 19 shows over 4 weekends and a focus on South Korea. There are workshops and exhibitions as well.
Until 9 June
Info and tickets

Queen Elizabeth competition
This year is the 20th edition of this competition and young violinists from all over the world will compete until 12th June at two different venues.
Until 12 June, Flagey and Bozar
More info

Art Nouveau Day Dinner Party at The Nine
To celebrate World Art Nouveau Day and the 125th Anniversary of its clubhouse, The Nine is organising a special dinner party with Dorka Demeter as the guest speaker. The event is open to non-members offering a perfect opportunity to discover the lovely atmosphere of this clubhouse.
On 14 June
More info

Vaux-Hall Summer
Annual summer season is marked in the Brussels Park with many activities during the Vaux-Hall Summer programme. Expect DJ sets, movie projections, ateliers & more in this hidden beautiful corner of the Royal Park.
From 13 June to 25 August
More info

Visit the mosaics in the Cinquantenaire Hemicycle
A guided tour in French by Jacqueline Guisset of the mosaics in the Cinquantenaire Hemicycle. Created between 1920 and 1930, these mosaics form the official memorial to the First World War. The mosaics celebrate peace in the Army and Military Museum and war in the Royal Museums of Art and History. Lots of other activities & guided tours in the park will be happening as part of the Horizon 2030 initiative.
9 June & more
Info & more details

New play at The Bridge Theatre
Craving theatre? Don’t miss Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune by The Bridge Theatre, an English-language theatre for Brussels, producing thought-provoking and socially relevant plays. This play is a story about two lonely souls who meet for a simple night of passion but stumble upon a chance for true connection.
6 – 22 June
More info

Brussels Greek Food Festival
To celebrate 80 years of the Greek community in Brussels, this culinary festival invites you to a true celebration of food and culture at Place Van Meenen in Saint Gilles.
14-16 June
More info

Midsummer Mozartiade
Main stage performances of this festival take place at the Théâtre Royal des Galeries, located in the Royal Galeries Saint-Hubert, in the heart of Brussels.
17 – 23 June
More info

The Big European Pub Quiz
Join more European enthusiasts at the first ever pub quiz at the House of European History on Thursday, 20 June. There will be live music, drinks and lots of people to test their knowledge, culture and love for European history. So, book your table now!
20 June, House of European History
More info

Fête de la Musique
The 40th edition of the annual music festival will take place at various locations this year. There are music workshops and performances by many artists and bands all around Belgium.
20-23 June
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

Brussels International Film Festival (BRIFF)
In its 7th edition this year, the BRIFF has quite a few films in its kitty, along with special open air screenings of two very interesting films (for free)!
25 June – 3 July
More info

15 Years Thé Dansant at Africa Palace (Tervuren)
15 years Thé Dansant Manga will take place on Sunday 23 June at the magnificent Tervuren Park. Open air House stage on the terrace in front of the Africa Palace with legendary dj John Digweed (UK), Caspar & Don Cabron, Rafi Khan & more, in addition to the Techno stage inside the Palace with female DJs Meg- Beg, Lola Jones, Helena Lauwaert & others! This edition’s theme for decoration, animation & dresscode will be Manga, Japan!
23 June
More info

Couleur Café
Join the fun in the Osseghem park near the spectacular Atomium. This festival offers a mix of music genres, ranging from hip-hop, reggae, funk, afro to RnB. Both established and emerging artists are featured, including popular DJ artists.
28-30 June
More info

Festival Musiq3
Expect four days of quality music and arts at Flagey and the surrounding neighbourhood. Both emerging and established artists from the Belgian and international classical, jazz and electro scenes will take part in the festival, offering a chance to experience the classical music in a whole new way.
27-30 June
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

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

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

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
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
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
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