While next weekend, for many, will be jam-packed with winter festivity celebrations with family and friends, there is plenty of time this weekend to explore the city and all it has to offer. Find our favourites below.
Arts, music and culture
Peter Lindbergh photo exhibition, Vanderborght building, until 14 May 2023
This weekend marks the long-awaited opening of the first and only exhibition conceived and designed by Peter Lindbergh, as the German fashion photographer and film director himself is both the artist on show, but also the curator.
Credit: Peter Lindbergh - Untold Stories
The photo exhibition has been through Germany and Spain and has now landed in Belgium's capital. The exhibition covers his entire career spanning more than four decades — from his beginnings in the 1980s to his death in September 2019 — and includes his intimate portrayals of supermodels, among which are Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington Burns and Linda Evangelista.
Find more information and get your tickets here.
Creators Factory, Halles Saint-Géry, until 24 December
Dubbed the market of "material transformers," ethics and sustainability are at the heart of this set-up. For its second edition, the concept is taking over the Halles Saint-Géry in the city centre for five weekends, in collaboration with 3 operators: Christmas Designers Market, The Wild Pop-Up and Fais-le toi-même.
A stall at the sustainable Christmas market. Credit: Creators Factory
The latter will oversee this weekend's programme together with Creators Factory, and will bring to the forefront a selection of 50 artisans and designers, who strive to create and manufacture objects with stories that you will keep for a lifetime.
Find more information here.
Out and about
Secret Dinner Stories, Marché Bildy Markt @ Tour & Taxis, 16 December
Marché Bildy Markt, a new local and sustainable market concept which is housed in the Gare Maritime is transforming itself in December, becoming one big, welcoming dinner table. Every dish served throughout the event represents a story starting from different corners of the world. All these tales come together in a vibrant community performance.
Credit: Kaaitheater
During this collective dinner ritual, the organisers take you on a trip through intense and varied flavours, triggering memories of the mind while honouring the distant journeys of so many people who sacrificed their lives to give their families a better future, including in Belgium. Includes a dinner performance, Christmas market and afterparty.
Find more information here.
Laeken Winter Pop, Place Joseph Benoît Willems, 16 to 18 December
This year, Winter Pop is celebrating its fifth edition, once again extending the grandeur of the Winter Fun festivities in the city centre. Small colourful caravans will stop over in three districts of the City of Brussels: Neder-Over-Heembeek, Place Ambiorix and, during the last weekend, Laeken.
A previous Winter Pop edition. Credit: City of Brussels
The neighbourhood will be transformed into a cosy winter village, where, in collaboration with local associations and numerous talented artists, a host of festive activities will be organised. From live concerts to brass bands, dancing, singing choirs and short films, these celebrations offer something for everyone.
Find more information and get your tickets here.
Further afield
Mechelen in vuur en vlam, Mechelen, 16 and 17 December
The perfect occasion to discover Mechelen, a mere 20-minute train ride away from Brussels. This weekend, the city centre will be transformed into a cosy winter festival, including spectacular air and fire performances and a large-scale fire parade through the city.
Credit: Stad Mechelen
For the occasion, the city's Sinte-Mettetuin will be transformed into a poetic setting with "wandering" lights, accompanied by atmospheric music by Schim. On both nights, the festivities will climax during a magical final show on the Grote Markt, where the artists of Transe Express will perform a show of celestial art, where music, images, and acrobatics will steal hearts.
Find more information here.
