From celebrating Polish heritage and the Brussels region's birthday to dancing the night away at Botanique or at a festival located in the heart of a former military site, here's what's on this weekend.
Art, music and culture
Iris, various locations, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 May
Join the festivities to celebrate the Brussels-Capital Region this weekend. The Iris Festival is the perfect occasion to re-discover Brussels through the wide range of activities and events organised for the occasion.
Credit: Iris Festival/ Visit Brussels
On Saturday, a DJ night is organised in the Place des Palais, with artists Martin Solveig, Peter Luts and Kid Noize on the line up. Attendees can also explore the Science Village, soak up creativity at the Culture Village or participate in the many different guided tours of the region's neighbourhoods, this weekend is jam-packed with fun for the whole family.
Find more information here.
Polish Heritage Day in Brussels, Parc du Cinquantenaire, Sunday 7 May
Following the success of the launch of Polish Day in Brussels last year, the event promoting Polish culture and history returns to the capital. This year, it celebrates the 550th anniversary of the birth of Nicolaus Copernicus, a famous Polish astronomer.
Credit: Polish Tourism Office
The picnic-based event, bringing together locals, tourists and the Polish diaspora in Brussels, will serve up traditional Polish delicacies and beer alongside a performance by the Cracovia Danza Court Ballet and a concert of young Polish star Kwiat Jabłoni, among others.
Find more information here.
May Open Air Screenings, Mont des Arts, until Sunday 7 May
For its final few days, Brussels Short Film Festival (BSFF) will screen compilations of the most-loved short films outdoors, placing a screen at the foot of Mont des Arts so the audience can marvel both at the movies and the beautiful views of the city.
Credit: BSFF
In case of rain, which seems likely this weekend, the screenings will take place under protection in the Festival Marquee on Place Fernand Cocq in Ixelles.
Find more information here.
Bring your dancing shoes
Nuits Botanique, Botanique, until Friday 12 May
Legendary Brussels venue Botanique's annual festival is celebrating its 30th edition. Sitting on the park's famous steps, sipping drinks with music playing in the background? There is no better way to start the festival season!
Credit: Nuits Botanique
The eclectic line-up for the three-week festival is filled to the brim with international and local upcoming artists, ready to take the audience by surprise.
Find more information here.
Living Room Music Festival, Quartier Transvaal, Sunday 7 May
Another Brussels-based festival is celebrating a special anniversary this year. Living Room Music Festival will this year be hosting its 20th edition. For this special occasion, the festival will put the Transvaal neighbourhood in Auderghem in the spotlight.
Credit: Living Room Music Festival
Nine of the area's residents will open the doors of their living rooms to host a 30-minute concert of traditional world music. Join this musical journey between the five continents, all within the neighbourhood's borders.
Find more information here.
Further afield
Horst Arts and Music Festival, Vilvoorde
Just outside of Brussels, Horst blends electronic music, art and innovative architecture in an immersive three-day festival at Vilvoorde's Asiat Park. This year, there is an even stronger focus on homegrown talent and a completely renewed Arts programme.
Credit: Horst
Take time in between all the dancing to explore the unique Asiat sit with its vast warehouses, barracks and driving courts, which have been taken over by nature, as well as the original art stage designs.
Find more information here.
Cité de la Bière, Liège, until Saturday 6 May
What started out as a relatively small-scale local festival has rapidly grown to become an unmissable highlight of the year for the Liégeois and beer lovers from further afield.
A previous edition of the beer festival. Credit: Visitez Liège
La Cité De La Bière festival brings to the forefront a mix of local, regional and foreign microbreweries. Discover some of the 70 beers on tap from 22 local, regional and foreign microbreweries while taking in the vibrant atmosphere.
Find more information here.
