This weekend marks the first of the year, and understandably, many will be taking Saturday and Sunday to recover from the busy festive period. But for those whose batteries are sufficiently charged, plenty of events are going on in Brussels which are worth venturing outside for.
Arts, music and culture
MIMA final weekend, MIMA museum in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, until Sunday 5 January
After nine glorious years of 17 exhibitions and 400,000 visitors, the Millennium Iconoclast Museum of Art (MIMA) in Molenbeek is closing its doors for good on Sunday. The closure coincides with the end of the current exhibition 'Multitude' by Alexandre Farto, aka Vhils.
The MIMA museum in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. Credit: Belga / Thierry Roge
The museum is hosting a week-long celebration titled 'Endless Goodbye' to mark its closure. On Saturday and Sunday, there will be a big clearance stock sale where visitors can buy souvenirs. Co-founder and curator Raphaël Cruyt will provide guided tours around the museum on both mornings. Sunday will end on a high with a pizza party and DJ sets.
Find more information here.
Sanaz Sarezani & Benjamin Stein: 'Sounds from the Caspian Sea', Art Base, Saturday 4 January
Azerbaijani-Iranian singer and poet Sanaz Sarezani and German guitarist Benjamin Stein are guaranteed to provide their audience with a mesmerising musical journey at Art Base, one of Brussels' most intimate music venues.
Credit: Art Base
Sarezani offers listeners a deep insight into herself with her witty, emotionally charged lyrics about life, death, love, and her home country Iran. Stein, meanwhile, masters a range of different instruments, such as santur, tar and oud. He gives them an almost mystical wealth of sound.
Find more information here.
Get on your dancing shoes
Rave for Solidarity, La Fabriek in Anderlecht, Saturday 4 January
What better way to start the new year than with a rave for a good cause? Six music collectives are coming together to support Les Maraudes de Bruxelles, a non-profit organisation that cares for the homeless and overlooked in the Belgian capital.
Credit: La Fabriek
The solid line-up features Brussels-based BLAAME, Susano, 2DGAZ and more. Party-goers will also be offered one drink for every bag brought to the on-site clothing collection.
Find more information here.
Family friendly
Heritage in Motion (Visites Vivantes), Brussels City Hall, until Sunday 5 January
This cultural outing combines a tour of Brussels' iconic City Hall on Grand Place with magical performances blending circus and dance and highlighting the city's listed heritage.
Credit: Visit.brussels / Fever
The 50-minute tour offers people of all ages a fresh perspective on traditional museum visits, allowing them to see the emblematic building in an entirely new way.
Find more information here.
Christmas at the Children's Museum, Ixelles, until Sunday 5 January
As the winter break draws to an end, parents may find themselves running out of ideas on how to keep their children entertained. Luckily, the Children's Museum's 'Christmas Holiday' event is still running until Sunday.
Credit: Children's Museum Brussels
Admission includes access to the interactive exhibit 'Wings to Grow' and a visit to the museum's newest room 'Balance'. Children are also invited to take part in a special mission to find the hidden elves in the museum and the many creative Christmas workshops including cooking, crafting, storytelling and theatre. Make sure to book your spot!
Find more information here.
