Even though Belgium still has to wait a little longer before the mercury surpasses 20°C, the weather is finally improving, meaning there are fewer excuses to stay in all weekend long. And why would you, with an extra day off and a jam-packed agenda full of exciting events in Brussels? Find our favourites below!
Festival fever
Balkan Trafik!, City centre of Brussels (and Namur), until Saturday 29 April
Back for its 17th edition, this unique festival — taking place in Brussels and Namur at the same time — celebrates all things Balkan and aims to build bridges between the capital of Europe and creativity from South-Eastern European countries.
Credit: Balkan Trafik!
The event is a Brussels expat favourite and allows everyone to (re)discover the traditions, talents and folklore of the Balkans through music, dance, film, gastronomy and a variety of other workshops.
In terms of music, the line-up includes BALKAN BEAT BOX, Dubioza Kolektiv, Boban & Marko Markovic Orkestar, BaiLDSA and more.
Find more information and the full programme here.
Hangar Festival
What better way to celebrate the long weekend than by dancing your way through Saturday and Sunday, and taking Monday off to rest and recover?
Credit: Hangar
This new clubbing institution held along the Brussels Canal, is back for its second edition with another killer line-up, including Bibi Seck and Anfisa Letyago.
Find more information here.
Arts, music and culture
Brussels Short Film Festival, various locations, until 6 May
During this ten-day event, around 300 short films will be screened in four iconic places in Brussels including Flagey's Studio 4, transformed into a cinema for the occasion, and Mont des Arts, where the audience will be able to sit under the starry sky at the start of May during the free open-air screenings.
Credit: Brussels Short Film Festival
Another unmissable event will be the BSFF's night event, during which it keeps avid movie fans up until the early hours of the morning with two screenings of its best films.
Find more information and the full schedule here.
Hands Up Festival, Beursschouwburg, until Saturday 29 April
Young talented artists from all creative backgrounds are given carte blanche to occupy the Beursschouwburg in Brussels' city centre.
Credit: Beursschouwburg
On the programme: exhibitions, dance workshops and battles, performances, DJ sets, jam sessions concerts, a gaming zone on the venue's iconic rooftop, an urban market and much more.
Find more information here.
International jazz day, Sunday 30 April
Twelve years ago, 30 April was officially designated as International Jazz Day to highlight the music genre and its diplomatic role in uniting people around the world. Every year on this day, celebrations paying tribute to jazz are organised across the world, including in Brussels.
Jazz musician during a concert. Credit: Belga/ Laurie Dieffembacq
The capital's most iconic jazz bars, including the Jazz Station, will organise several events to promote Belgian jazz and defend music synonymous with freedom, sharing and adventure.
Find more information and the full programme for all Belgian events here.
Further afield
British Beer Festival, Gueuzerie Tilquin in Bierghes, Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 April
The British Beer Festival is back and better than ever after being cancelled as a result of the pandemic. For this long-awaited edition, which includes a "Fruit Extravaganza," eight of the most innovative breweries of the British beer scene present crowds with their four finest thirst quencher.
The full range of beers will be on show during the festival. Credit: Gueuze Tilquin
During the event, there will be regular free guided tours of the Gueuzerie Tilquin brewery, of which a wide range of beverages will also be available during the event, including their four new beers which will be launched during the festival weekend. Free shuttle buses will be organised between the nearby station of Enghien and the festival ground.
Find more information here.
Out and about on Labour Day
One.may festival, Rue du Marché aux Porcs, Monday 1 May
To celebrate International Labour Day on Monday 1 May; the free One.may city festival is back at Varkensmarkt/rue du Marché aux Porcs, which will be transformed into a real festival site for one day.
A great line-up of Brussels bands will set the tone for what will be a great reunion. After the traditional speeches and parade, a true city festival will be organised.
Find more information here.
Public picnic, Parc du Cinquentenaire, Monday 1 May
Brussels Cinquantenaire Park will host a public picnic on 1 May, during which several people will be invited to speak about the tremendous work required to ensure its continued existence.
Together with Brussels Environment employees, local activists, researchers and artists, attendees will walk, talk and read texts to better estimate how much work it takes to keep alive the 300,000 m² of the park, a former military training area.
Find more information here.
