This weekend officially marks the start of the summer holidays in Belgium, is there a better occasion to be out and about in Brussels all weekend? Discover the city's most unique parade, or venture outside of the city to a serene country estate for one of the country's most beloved electronic festivals!
Alternative festivals
Brussels International Film Festival, various locations, until Wednesday 5 July
Back for its sixth edition, the Brussels International Film Festival (BRIFF) is back to transform the capital into a film celebration alongside partners UGC de Brouckère, Bozar, Galeries and Palace.
Credit: BRIFF
From open-air screenings to premieres, restored classics and masterclasses, this festival aims to reach a wider audience than only film lovers, instead aiming to gather everyone around the love for cinema.
Find more information here.
Musiq3 Festival, Flagey, Friday 30 June until Sunday 2 July
This year's edition of the Musiq3 Brussels Festival, a highlight on the music agenda in the region, is built around the theme of Utopias, inviting its audience to dare to dream and weave its way into a new world of music from one show to the next.
The programme features 16 concerts at the Studio 1 and Studio 4 venues in Flagey, as well as at the nearby Marni, bringing together classical music and other styles such as jazz, pop and electronica. On Friday, the festival will be kicked off by the young Venezuelan conductor Glass Marcano, who will lead the Brussels Philharmonic for the opening performance.
Find more information here.
Travelling back in time
Battle of Waterloo reenactment, Waterloo, Saturday 1 July and Sunday 2 July
While the commemorations of the Battle of Waterloo are normally organised on the site of the clash around the historic date (18 June 1815), the memorial of the event was postponed this year, instead taking place this weekend.
Credit: Belga/ Domaine de la bataille de Waterloo
Venture down to the Walloon town of Waterloo to discover the "civilian village" full of forgotten trades, including basket and clog making. Make sure you don't miss the reenactments (Saturday evening and Sunday morning), during which the military organisation will be showcased, including animations of manoeuvres with firing weapons and the care of the wounded.
Find more information here.
Ommegang Parade, various locations in Brussels city centre, Friday 1 July
Missed the Renaissance splendour during the Ommegang on Wednesday evening? Fret not, on Friday night, the parade of 1,400 people – from dancers and singers to horsemen and uniformed guards – will once again march through the streets of Brussels this weekend.
The 'Ommegang Oppidi Bruxellensis' historical parade in the city centre of Brussels. Credit: Belga/ Hatim Kaghat
Make your way to Grand Place later to witness the dramatic closing ceremony including an awe-inspiring flag-throwing act, reminiscent of the 1549 procession organised for Charles V and his son, the future Philip II.
Find more information here.
Further afield
Paradise City, Ribaucourt Castle in Perk, Friday 30 June until Sunday 2 July
Looking to escape the city? We have the perfect destination for you: make your way to the Flemish village of Perk. For one weekend in July, Perk is transformed into the dance capital of Belgium, bringing together some of the most renowned electronic artists – spanning techno to house –during one long open-air party.
Credit: Annika Wallis/Paradise City Festival 2022
Explore Paradise's six stages, scattered across its lush green garden, split into islands by water, and discover artists ranging from the transcendent RY X and Detroit electronic music group Inner City to Chilean Bristol-based DJ, electronic music producer and singer Shanti Celeste.
Find more information here.
