Best of Brussels in March

March is here, and so is your guide to everything happening in the coming weeks. Let’s dive in!

Have you heard that La Monnaie De Munt was awarded the ‘Best Opera House of the Year’? Oper! Awards recognized La Monnaie for its “tremendous attraction and inviting openness that brings both artists and audiences together in the opera house for top creative performances.” Read more about it or check La Monnaie’s upcoming programme.

The upcoming BANAD (Brussels Art Nouveau & Art Deco) festival will open the doors to some of the most stunning architectural and heritage sites, historic mansions, private residences, and other hidden gems, many of which are usually closed to the public. From 15-30 March. Full programme

Nocturnes are back in Brussels museums from 13 March until 24 April. You can visit up to 48 unique museums between 18h-22h on Thursday evenings, for only €4 or €7 per visit. More info

MAD Brussels remains fashion & design hotspot with the new expo “Matching Seats”. The exhibition brings together several remarkable pieces from the private collection of Galila Barzilai Hollander, each unique in its kind. The chosen chairs of this amazing collection are matched with contemporary fashion accessories resulting in surreal, humoristic and original conversations. Also check the upcoming Slowroom event which presents an exceptional selection of 25 Belgian sustainable brands and puts into focus young Belgian talent, reuse of materials, local production and social responsibility. From 7-9 March.

Klarafestival is the annual meeting place for great musical performers! Under the title We Are Now, the 20th anniversary edition pays tribute to the here and now, together with cultural partners such as Bozar, Flagey and Kaaitheater. From 21-28 March. More info

Legendary Astoria Concerts are returning to the heritage ballroom of this recently reopened Brussels hotel. The series pays tribute to its storied heritage, seamlessly blending timeless classics with the energy of vibrant new talent. More here

For those into Asian pop culture, don’t miss the annual Made in Asia fair at Brussels Expo, the meeting place for fans of manga, anime, video games, YouTubers and cosplay. 7-9 March. More info

Curious to explore a bit further? Check the expo Les Maîtres de l’Affiche at Centre d’Art de Rouge-Cloître. Les Maîtres de l’Affiche” was a monthly publication that existed at the end of the 19th century. Each issue presented a selection of posters by renowned artists. It was framed in “La Belle Époque”, when posters were transformed from advertising media to art objects thanks to lithography and chromolithography, allowing mass production and the incorporation of color. The exhibition presents a selection of rare posters from a Belgian private collection with works by artists such as Chéret, Lucien Lefèvre and Privat-Livemont, the latter famous for his poster “Absinthe Robette”. Until 30 March 2025. More info

If you are looking for vintage pieces, check out the Brussels Design Market with over 160 stands featuring high-end 20th-century design, unique furniture, lighting, and interior accessories from renowned designers. You can also meet over 120 dealers from across Europe showcasing an eclectic mix of styles and trends. On 29 & 30 March at Gare Maritime, Tour & Taxis.

Book lovers have a busy month ahead! The Foire du Livre de Bruxelles is back from 13-16 March with the presence of notorious francophone authors like Amelie Nothomb or Belgian comedian and humorist Philippe Geluck, creator of the famous Le Chat. A few days later, from 28-30 March the Passa Porta Festival will take us on a wonderful voyage of discovery into contemporary literature, driven by an inspiring theme: Ghosts. More info here.

It’s still the carnival season and here are some ideas if you are looking for the last-minute gateways around Brussels. The Belgian cities of Malmedy (1 to 4 March), Binche (2 to 4 March), Aalst (2 & 3 March) and Charleroi (4 march) host some of the most impressive festivities. Brussels won’t stay behind this year thanks to BXL Jazz Mardi Gras. Join the Parade around the city centre and some of its iconic cafés (Le Chapot / L’Archiduc / le Roskam / Billie) to celebrate Mardi Gras Day «New Orleans style» with a twist of Belgian Folklore and 30 musicians. On 4 March, from 17:30 until late. There is also the Carnaval of Saint-Gilles on 8 March around Place Morichar (More info).

One of the most famous a cappella groups, Voca People, is back in Brussels on 7 March. They will take over the stage at Cirque Royal with their unique show which combines a cappella singing with beatboxing and choreography, without using a single instrument. More info here

Something new, the Brussels Bar Show takes place on 30 & 31 March. The goal? Establish a platform for collaboration between bartenders, drink brands and visitors, and create a dynamic and inclusive environment for both established and emerging brands. More here

EU Quarter tips:

Enjoy your lunch break with live concerts at the Info Hub of the European Parliament every Tuesday at 13h. Concerts include classical and jazz performances by different musicians and ensembles. Free access. Schedule here

During March, Tuesday lunch tours in the House of European History will focus on the stories of the extraordinary women in museum’s permanent collection. Explore a new floor each week and encounter the objects related to these women and their impact on European history. Tours are in English and free to attend. From 12h15-13h, no booking required. More info

New: Temporary exhibition “Presence of the Past. A European album” starts in the House of European History from 28 March. It will be a photographic exhibition that reveals how Europeans engage with the past in their everyday lives today. Learn more

Also happening this month:

• When We See Us is an exhibition that explores how artists from Africa and its diaspora have represented everyday life through painting over the last century. Organized by Koyo Kouoh and his team, the exhibition brings together around 150 works by some 120 artists, divided into six themes: Everyday Life, Joy and Celebration, Repose, Sensuality, Spirituality, and Triumph and Emancipation. In Bozar until 10 August. More info
• Which are the boundaries between humans and wild animals? The exhibition WILD? at the Natural Sciences Museum, explores the tricky relationship via Belgian wildlife with a focus on the meaning and different perceptions of the wild: Exotic? Distant? Dangerous? More info here
• A world of thrilling adventures filled with fun and beloved characters! Dive into the immersive settings of Mundo Pixar and meet your favourites as you journey through Pixar’s most unforgettable movies like Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc or Inside Out. Get ready for an experience like no other! From 12 March. More info
• The fifth edition of Limited Edition Art Fair, the fair for prints and multiples, takes place from 21 to 23 March at Villa Empain. Discover the works of Belgian and international artists, both emerging and established. More info
• Alechinsky, Pinceau Voyageur – For the very first time since its opening to the public in 2010, the Boghossian Foundation presents a solo exhibition devoted to a major European artist of the 20th century, in the welcoming and unique setting of the Villa Empain. The expo is an ode to travel, freedom and friendship, featuring an exceptional collection of approximately one hundred pieces alongside numerous archival documents amassed over the last seventy years. Until 16 March. More here
• The Horta Museum presents Smooth as Velvet, featuring five artists who will transform the house’s walls until 30 May. This fabric choice highlights Horta’s love for textiles, especially silk, and underscores the architectural importance of textiles as a source of ornamentation. Discover more
• Step back 2,200 years and explore ancient China with the Terracotta Army exhibition in Brussels. Discover the grandeur of the Terracotta Warriors and the legacy of China’s First Emperor. More info
• As the world’s capital of comics, a new exhibition dedicated to Mr. Invincible has landed at Brussels Comic Art Museum. Mr. Invincible: Beyond the panels, explores the life of this mysterious superhero who effortlessly breaks through the panels of a comic page. The comic series sprung from the mind of French author Pascal Jousselin, who popularised the meta-comic to the general public through the series. While visiting the Museum, you can also jump on the exhibition A Century of Belgian Comics, available through 2025. Read more
• Association Femmes d’Europe is hosting a Grand Charity Concert Classical Women on the occasion of International Women’s Day. The unique concert from classical to Gershwin is a rare opportunity to see 3 mother and daughter duos on stage. All proceeds from ticket sales go to women and children in need all over the world. On 12 March at W:Hall in Brussels. More info
• Lucile Soufflet, Common Grounds at CID Grand-Hournu. As a regular showcase for Belgian design, the CID – centre d’innovation et de design is inviting industrial designer Lucile Soufflet to present her first solo exhibition. 16 March – 24 August 2025. More info
• Bozar will host a solo exhibition by Berlinde De Bruyckere exploring humanity’s condition through her art. The show features 25 years of her work alongside pieces from the likes of Patti Smith and Pier Paolo Pasolini. From 21 February – 31 August. More info
• The Great Smurfs Adventure at Brussels Expo. Fans of all ages can step into their magical world, take on the role of a real Smurf and explore the Smurf village with its iconic mushroom houses and mystical forest. More info
• Black Swan at Cirque Royal. This world premiere thrilled all lovers of ballet, dance and emotion. The performance plunges you into Tchaikovsky’s spellbinding universe. On 1 April in Brussels & more dates in nearby cities. Info & tickets
• Smart Hungary 2.0 – This exhibition showcases products by Hungarian innovators and entrepreneurs. From 17 March to 1 April at the Liszt Institute Brussels. More
• The Design Museum Brussels presents Untold Stories – Women Designers in Belgium, 1880-1980, the works of over 50 women designers and makers active in Belgium between 1880 and 1980. Featuring a diverse range of objects, many of which have never been displayed before. This groundbreaking showcase celebrates the under-appreciated contributions of women to Belgian craft and design. Until 13 April. More info
• The Anima Festival will present more than 150 animated films, with a focus on experimental Austrian animation. The 2025 edition will be held at Flagey and Marni in Brussels and at a dozen other venues across Belgium from 28 February to 9 March. More info
• Art Pops expo at the Belfius Art Centre on Place Rogier. These annual exhibitions on the top floor of Belfius building have become an unmissable addition to the art scene in the Belgian capital. Discover more
• Culinaria festival is back – 2025 edition is a gastronomic event where haute cuisine meets innovation. This is where flavors, creativity, and lifestyle unite to awaken the senses. 14 & 15 March. More
• The exhibition The Worlds of Paul Delvaux in Liège offers an unprecedented display of the work of this world-renowned Belgian artist. Until 16 March. More info

Check our new monthly foodie events suggestions from Brussels restaurants, bars & other gastronomic establishments. Created by @sistersspoons.

Finally, for our music aficionados, do not miss a unique selection of festivals, concerts and parties all around Brussels & Belgium – check the March music agenda by our collaborator David Vidal Sans.