This Sunday is the best day of the year for avid cyclists, keen walkers and lovers of Brussels, as the Belgian capital turns into the largest car-free zone in Europe. As cars are banned throughout the day, parties and activities will take over the streets.
The 24th edition of Brussels' Car-Free Sunday will take place on 22 September, marking the end of Mobility Week. All cars are banned from the region from 09:30 until 19:00. Only public transport, taxis, coaches, emergency services, people with a disability, the diplomatic corps, and public utility vehicles will be permitted on the city's streets.
"The speed limit everywhere is 30 km/h," Brussels Mobility noted. "The closure and reopening of access roads to the region and tunnels and the erection of fences will take place gradually." This may therefore result in traffic disruption in the early morning and evening. In some neighbourhoods, streets may be closed longer. "So don't rush into Brussels at 19:00," the regional administration added.
Belgium's Senate on Car-Free Sunday in 2022. Credit: Orlando Whitehead
To ensure travelling throughout the region remains possible, STIB is making all its bus, tram and metro lines free of charge all day and will be providing extra services, resulting in higher frequencies than on a normal Sunday. Flemish public transport operator De Lijn's buses are free in Brussels all day, while people from outside the region can travel by train from any Belgian station to Brussels and back for just €8.
Sunday's activities
With cars gone, streets, squares and parks will be free to host brocantes (jumble sales), street parties and more, and people can experience city life in an entirely different way.
Municipal events
In each of the 19 Brussels communes, events are being organised, with a focus on bringing together locals and drawing attention to road safety.
Schaerbeek is hosting the ‘Brusilia Tower Run’ in its local high-rise, Laeken and Etterbeek are setting up bicycle agility courses for children, Ixelles is hosting a large-scale picnic for residents, while Berchem-Sainte-Agathe is hosting an Animals' Festival. Most communes will also set up a bicycle repair station, where keen cyclists can also ask for help or share advice on their hobby.
Bouncy castles, ping pong tournaments and face-painting will also be common sights across the region on Sunday.
Find more information here.
Beursschouwburg Street Party
This event is a Car-Free Brussels classic. Now in its 16th year, the cultural centre will once again open up its doors to cyclists, walkers and passers-by.
Organisers always get the day off to a good start with its free brunch served up by Molenbeek staple Cassonade, whose primary mission is to create local solidarity between people of different cultures and backgrounds through a participatory community kitchen. After tucking in to some tasty food, explore the Piss & Love expo, showcasing Christina Cerquiera's notebooks, collecting bathroom exchanges to reflect Brussels nightlife dynamics.
Car-Free Sunday in Brussels on Sunday 17 September 2023. Credit: Belga / Hatim Kaghat
Beursschouwburg is also the place to be for a fresh haircut, children’s entertainment, and to learn about the history of twerking and dance along to Brazilian popular music during a workshop and enjoy the unmissable street party, featuring Disco Atlas, Monstera Occulta & Cheb Runner.
Find more information here.
Women's Bike Ride
This event, organised by women for women to make women visible in public spaces, is returning for its third edition. Women are invited to wear what makes them happy and decorate their bicycles with personal touches and objects that bring them joy.
While the activity aims to be a festive bike ride allowing women to feel free while exploring the city, it also has a practical aim: to call for suitable infrastructure and to inspire other women to take up cycling. Men are welcome, "as long as they ride with us and do not ride in the lead," organisers say. Registering for the event is not needed; all participants need is a bicycle!
Find more information here.
Kidical Mass
People who have lived in Brussels for some time will likely have seen a display of the Critical Mass, a major bike rally that takes place on the final Friday of each month. Participants try to form as compact a group as possible to move more freely through the busy streets of Ixelles.
Credit: Kidical Mass
On the occasion of Car-Free Sunday, a child-sized version of this festive bike parade is being organised to get more children (and parents) on bicycles. The group will cycle through the city at children's pace – the ideal way for young and old to discover new places in their community and make new friends.
Find more information here.
Brocantes
Car-Free Sunday is not complete without brocantes (jumble sales). The most iconic place to buy bargains on this occasion is Rue de Flandre in the city centre, where shopping meets people playing music on the streets and cafés spilling over onto the pavements.
The Rue de Flandre brocante on Car-Free Sunday. Credit: Lauren Walker / The Brussels Times
Another favourite is the neighbourhood flea market Brocante Parachute in Ixelles. Located between Avenue Molière and Rue Renier Chalon, it is the perfect opportunity to discover the charms of this particular neighbourhood of Ixelles, while browsing through the many stalls selling potential treasures.
Find more information here.
