From the end of May until mid-September, Belgium becomes music festival central. During these months, not a weekend goes by without a large-scale multi-day festival or intimate, unique music celebration taking place.
While Belgian dance festival Tomorrowland and the pop-rock festivals Rock Werchter or Pukkelpop have no difficulty drawing large crowds, this guide includes up-and-coming, uniquely iconic and lesser-known festivals where music lovers can enjoy performances of established artists and discover new names.
June
TW Classic, near Leuven, 18 June
This is one of the more prominent festivals on the Belgian music scene, with line-ups that attract festival-goers young and old. This year's programme is one that will surely go down in history, as the one-day music event is being headlined by none other than Bruce Springsteen.
Credit: TW Classic
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Fête de la Musique, various locations across Belgium, 21-25 June
This four-day event spreads festival joy across more than 40 Belgian cities and towns, turning streets, squares and even museums into music venues. The eclectic programme, including over 700 (mostly free) concerts, ranges from jazz bands and classical musicians to Belgium's beloved chanson and electro music throughout the nights.
Credit: Fête de la Musique
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Couleur Café, Brussels, 23-25 June
This urban contemporary music festival started out in 1990 as a smaller and predominantly African music festival in the Halles de Schaerbeek and has since become one of the biggest festival names in the country. The organisers recently finalised this year's line-up, and as expected, it is not one to be missed out on.
Credit: Couleur Café
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Live is Live, Antwerp, 24-25 June
This summer will see the second edition of Live is Live take place in the Middenvijverpark on Antwerp's Linkeroever – a spacious oasis of calm just across the river. There will also be a second stage to offer music in a more intimate setting. There are big names on the agenda, such as War on Drugs and Grace Jones, as well as several Belgian bands.
Credit: Hilde Lenaerts
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July
Paradise City, Perk, 30 June-1 July
This festival is uniquely located next to a historic castle, surrounded by meandering waters and verdant forests. This year it is expanding both the number of stages and festival terrain to accommodate a growing number of visitors. Expect an eclectic mix of dance music by some of Europe's best DJs, mouth-watering food and unbeatable views.
Credit: Annika Wallis / Paradise City Festival 2022
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Gent Jazz, various locations across Ghent, 5-15 July
One of Belgium's best jazz festivals, Gent Jazz always manages to pocket some of the genre's most legendary and beloved artists, and this year is no exception. From the iconic Italian pianist Ludovico Einaudi and Norah Jonas, considered one of the top jazz artists of our time, to the legendary Herbie Hancock, prepare yourself for another stellar line-up.
People queuing up for food on the Bijloke site where Gent Jazz takes place. Credit: Stad Gent
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Les Ardentes, Liège, 6-9 July
While this festival is increasingly developing a clear rap identity, it continues to deliver a line-up comprising a large variety of extraordinary genres and artists. This year, notable acts such as Kendrick Lamar and Travis Scott will take to the stage, alongside many other new names.
Credit: Belga
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Kiosk Radio x Crevette Records, Circle Park Brussels, 8 July
Brussels' favourite local radio station Kiosk Radio is once again pairing up with Crevette Records for a sun-soaked open air festival. Hosted in Anderlecht's urban playground Circle Park, this edition is more inclusive as the organisers are offering cheaper or free tickets to those who are tight on money.
Credit: Kiosk Radio via Facebook
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Dour, Hainaut, 12-16 July
This five-day music event is for the more hardcore festival-goers. With a wide range of acts from renowned Belgian rapper Damso and French electronic music duo The Blaze to legendary producer and festival-closer Aphex Twin, these tickets will practically sell themselves.
Credit: Dour
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Esperanzah!, Floreffe, 27-30 July
A festival with a mission, the organisers of Esperanzah! are committed to establishing a fairer world and want their music and visual arts festival to play a key role in fulfilling this goal. Aside from an exciting line-up including Roza, La Femme and Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul, there will also be debates on solidarity and sustainable development, all behind a backdrop of breathtaking scenery.
Credit: Visit Wallonie
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August
Suikerrock, Tienen, 4-6 August
Due to increasing popularity, this festival first had to move away from the city centre to the site of its famous sugar refinery Tiense Suikerraffinaderij (which explains the name, Sugar Rock), and has now introduced two new stages to its festival terrain. This year's 35th edition will once again see an array of major international and domestic names, including Arsenal, Bastille, Franz Ferdinand, Sean Paul and Belgium's very own Coely.
Credit: Suickerrock
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Ronquières, Hainaut, 4-6 August
Located right on the canal, this festival is famous for both its unique location and its line-up. This year's line-up features new names and headliners from Belgium – including The Haunted Youth – and further afield (Prodigy, Indochine, Placebo, among others).
Credit: Visite Wallonie
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Lokerse Feesten, Lokeren, 4-13 August
With acts scheduled for every day of the week at the beginning of August, Lokerse Feesten is one of Belgium's best examples of how a festival can grow from a local, community-driven event to a large-scale festival, attracting names that headline much larger festivals across Europe.
Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
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W-Festival, Ostend, 25-27 August
This festival's line-up is incomparable with other Belgian summer music events, as it is dedicated to taking festival-goers back in time and showcasing the very best of the 80s and 90s. This year, it will return to Ostend beach with a line-up featuring A Flog of Seagulls, Midge Ure, the Village People and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Credit: W-Festival
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September
Deep in the Woods, Heer-sur-Meuse in Namur, 8-10 September
This festival encourages music and art lovers to reconnect with nature and enjoy yoga courses, sauna sessions and camping in the countryside, all while listening to live performances from artists supporting this journey. A limited number of 700 ticket-holders is welcomed to the domain, further contributing to the relaxing atmosphere.
Credit: Deep in the Woods
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Doel Festival, Doel, 16 September
On any other day, this partly-deserted village is known for its open space filled with visual stimuli, from abandoned buildings to the latest graffiti trends covering the walls. But on this day in September, the area comes back to life to shed its ghostly veil and celebrate its unique history. What better way to close off the festival season?
Credit: Instagram / doelfestival
Find more information and get your tickets here.
