Despite the rainy days, the summer season is well and truly on its way, with an increasing number of events on the weekend agenda in Brussels.
From food festivals and modern-day Shakespeare to cycling events and more, find out our favourite activities happening in Brussels below.
Arts, music and culture
Festival Expressions Mixtes, various locations, until Sunday 16 June
This weekend marks the first edition of an essential initiative celebrating the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community of all origins. It is organised with the help of Hassan Jarfi, the father of Ihsane Jarfi, who was attacked and killed in 2012 because he was gay.
Credit: Expressions Mixtes Festival
More than just an event that aims to create a space for dialogue and sharing through art and culture, Expressions Mixtes is also a rallying cry for tolerance, acceptance and a celebration of diversity. From concerts and artistic performances to exhibitions and debates, the stories of LGBTQ+ people from diverse cultures and nationalities will be put in the spotlight.
Find out more information here.
Circle Park Season Opening x Dour Festival, Circle Park, Friday 14 June and Saturday 15 June
Brussels' urban playground Circle Park is back for another season! What was meant to be a temporary venue in Anderlecht is opening its doors again for another round of Circle Park Open Air Summercamp.
Circle Park. Credit: Visit.brussels
The organisers have invited Belgium's iconic Dour Festival to join them in hosting the opening to create an unmissable line-up on Friday, featuring Otis, NMSS, De Schuurman, Tropical Dijpsies & Shawiya Tribe. On Saturday, Play Label has been given carte blanche, and is inviting Mr Ho, Ava Eva & Fais Le Beau, Melissa Juice & bendrik. Free entrance before 18:00!
Find out more information here.
Mosaik Festival, L'Os à Moelle, until Sunday 16 June
This largely free event (indoor events are ticketed) located near Plasky in Schaerbeek is a skilful blend of everything a festival should be: a place to discover new talent and find a change of scenery.
Credit: Mosaik Festival
It advertises itself as a "concentrated cultural melting pot of undisguised pleasure," blending comedy, concerts, burlesque, children's shows and street theatre all in one place.
Find out more information here.
'The Merry Wives of Windsor', Théâtre Mercelis, until Sunday 16 June
English-language theatre group the Brussels Shakespeare Society (BSS) is staging William Shakespeare's 'The Merry Wives of Windsor' at the Théâtre Mercelis this week – but with a modern twist. The play is set in 2024 and features mobile phones, yoga, gaming, baguette sword fights, multilingual gags and much more.
Credit: The Brussels Times
"This is not your grandpa's Shakespeare. It's a riotous festival of knockabout humour in which Shakespeare's language is not a barrier to understanding but rather part of the game," Geoffrey Mamdani – who plays the lecherous male lead Sir John Falstaff – told The Brussels Times. French and Dutch surtitles will be provided.
Find more information here.
Out and about
Greek Food Festival, Place Van Meenen, until Sunday 16 June
A festival in honour of Greek gastronomy will come to Brussels this weekend to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Hellenic community in the Belgian capital in style.
Credit: Canva
Place Van Meenen near the Saint-Gilles City Hall will become a food heaven with loukoumades, moussaka and taramasalata aplenty. While gastronomy takes centre stage at the event, live music, traditional dances, cookery classes and activities for children will also be on the agenda.
Find out more information here.
BXL TOUR, Place des Palais, Sunday 16 June
Since BXL TOUR first welcomed cyclists to take to the streets of Brussels in 2017, the BXL TOUR has become one of the most iconic events on the Belgian sports calendar. The eighth edition this Sunday will see cyclists depart from the city centre of Brussels, pass through Parc du Cinquantenaire and Bois de la Cambre, before heading north and finishing at the Atomium.
Credit: BXL Tour
The 40 km (or 32 km) cycle race through the streets of the capital is open to semi-professional and amateur cyclists alike (including those with electric bicycles). Depending on the intensity, there are several categories. Registrations are open until 15 June 2024 (subject to availability).
Find out more information here.
