As the days get shorter and leaves are on the turn, the Brussels events calendar is starting to quieten down. But there are still plenty of events and activities across the region. Find our favourites below!
Out and about
Brussels Diwali, Atomium, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October
The largest Indian Festival in Europe takes place at the foot of the iconic Atomium in Brussels. Get ready to experience an authentic Diwali or the Festival of Lights, the biggest festival celebrated in India, signifying the victory of light over darkness or good over evil.
Credit: Art India
Aside from the largest Bollywood parties, the programme features classical, folk and Bollywood dance and a Brides of India fashion show. Several food stands will serve up some of the best dishes from the country's various regions.
Find more information here.
Exhibitions and talks
25 de abril de 1974 Quinta-feira, KULT XL Ateliers, until Thursday 7 November
This exhibition takes you back to 25 April 1974 to the Carnation Revolution, a military coup that overthrew the authoritarian Estado Novo government in Portugal. The revolution is commemorated every year on this day, which is the country's National or Freedom Day.
Credit: Centro Língua Portuguesa Camões IP - Bruxelas
Alfredo Cunha, a young photographer at the time, witnessed the scenes through the lens of his camera and recorded some of the most iconic images of this day, showcasing military figures in action in Lisbon, which are brought together at KULT XL Ateliers.
Find more information here.
Western Media's Reporting on Gaza, Pianofabriek Saint-Gilles, Friday 25 October
The latest It’s Not Complicated Bxl event will screen the documentary 'Inside Western Media's Reporting on Gaza', in which journalists at major news organisations expose the inner workings of their newsrooms about the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The screening will be followed by an online Q&A with Said Arikat, a Palestinian journalist and the Washington bureau chief of Al-Quds newspaper, a long-time attendee of press briefings in the US State Department, who will give more insight into the phenomena.
For the wee ones
Filem'On Film Festival, various locations, until Wednesday 6 November
The Filem'On International Film Festival for Young Audiences features a mix of more than 130 short films, feature films, animation and documentaries for young movie lovers aged 2 to 16. Many screenings are followed by "chit-chats" between the audience, filmmakers and actors.
Credit: Filem'On
While targeted at a young audience and centred around fun, the festival aims to illuminate "serious" world problems. This is interwoven with light-hearted and heart-warming films, cinematic workshops teaching the art of slapstick and shadow play as well as film-related concerts.
Find more information here.
Urbanika, various locations in Brussels, until Friday 15 November
This unique festival, which aims to stimulate contemporary Belgian hip-hop offers young audiences a chance to combine urban culture and the digital arts through a wide variety of activities and events, from workshops to multidisciplinary performances, including a video and breakdance show where the voices and faces of the audience are mixed and scratched live.
Credit: Urbanika
For its 10th edition, Urbanika explores the theme of Tour de Babel 2.0, evoking cultural and linguistic diversity through a series of interactive audiovisual installations with multi-disciplinary hip-hop performances, encouraging young people to (re)discover or learn about different practices in the world of hip-hop and digital creation.
Find more information here.
Post-weekend fun
Día de Muertos, Centre Culturel Bruegel, Monday 28 October until Saturday 2 November
The fun doesn't end after this weekend, as the Bruegel Cultural Centre on Monday returns with its annual and iconic Día de Muertos festival in Les Marolles, a vibrant and colourful celebration combining Mexican and Brussels cultures.
Credit: Joachim Tillay/ Dia de Muertos
Since 2018, the neighbourhood in the City of Brussels has honoured the dead with six days of concerts, craft workshops, and singing for young and old. This year will also mark the return of the Great Altar of the Dead in front of the Cultural Centre, where everyone, regardless of religion or culture, can pay their respects and the closing torchlight procession that attracts over 4,000 people every year.
Find more information here.
