From tiny art exhibitions and classical music concerts to Belgian beer festivals and a night at the museum, there is plenty to explore in and around the Belgian capital this weekend.
Arts, music and culture
'Small is Beautiful' art exhibition, Grand Place, until 31 December
After unprecedented success in New York, London and Paris (with over 200,000 visitors in total), the miniature art exhibition 'Small is Beautiful' finally opens on Brussels' Grand Place on Friday, bringing endearing pocked-sized artwork to the Belgian capital.
Credit: @smallisbeautifulart / Instagram
There will be over 100 tiny and highly-detailed works of art on display, as well as over 80 photographs, created by more than 18 artists from around the world, including Slinkachu, Vincent Bal, Minimiam and Samsofy, who take "a playful approach to challenge an overly serious world."
As well as artwork, there will be DIY workshops, a video area dedicated to miniature art and a shop for collectors. Children can also participate in a treasure hunt and enjoy finding five miniatures hidden in the Slinkachu exhibition trail.
Find more information here.
Brussels Chamber Ensemble, Bozar, Saturday 21 October
Following two sold-out successes in Bozar's Centre for Fine Arts, the Brussels Chamber Ensemble will be making a return on Saturday with a stunning programme entitled 'Sounds of Spain, Sounds of Europe', the first half of which will be devoted exclusively to Spanish music to honour the Spanish Presidency of the EU.
Credit: Brussels Chamber Ensemble / Bozar
The concert will start with Albéniz' Suite Española, which depicts Spain's different regions and musical styles, followed by a performance of Granados' passionate Intermezzo from his famous 'Goyescas' suite. There will then be a world premiere of young Spanish composer Adrián Fuentes Flores' 'Miniaturas de una tierra', depicting a love story unfolding in his native Andalusia.
Schumann's romantic and powerfully expressive Symphony No.3 will be performed in the second half, complementing the Spanish music before the intermission with sounds unmistakably rooted in the European landscape.
Find more information here.
Out and about
Museum Night Fever, various locations in Brussels, Saturday 21 October
Brussels' famous Museum Night Fever makes a return this Saturday, with young emerging artists and collectives using museums' collections and exhibitions to present an innovative multidisciplinary programme from 19:00 to 01:00.
This year's 16th edition promises a richer and more diverse programme than ever with an impressive 33 museums taking part, including Bozar and the Musical Instruments Museum following a few years' absence. The Autrique House, Charlier Museum and Beer Museum of Schaerbeek will also be participating for the first time.
Credit: BELvue / David Mailaender
From digital installations and circus performances to concerts, acro dance and drag shows, over 100 artists and collectives will guarantee a unique and festive atmosphere. Two afterparties at C12 and Le Botanique will keep the party going into the early hours.
Find more information here.
Lanterna Magica, Château de la Hulpe, until 10 December
Lanterna Magica is once again taking over the fairytale Château de la Hulpe from Friday 20 October until mid-December with colourful lights and enchanting music in an extraordinary setting.
Credit: Lanterna Magica
Discover nature in a whole new way with a 2.5 kilometre walk through the heart of the Solvay Regional Estate, illuminated with over 1,200 projectors and 20,000 LED lights and a unique musical composition. Lanterna Magica is the perfect autumnal activity for all the family.
Find more information here.
Further afield
Genever Festival, Hasselt, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October
Hasselt is once again solidifying its status as the capital of genever this weekend, with an entire festival dedicated to the delicious drink.
Credit: Visit Hasselt
Throughout the weekend, visitors will be able to taste the traditional Belgian juniper-flavoured liquor and celebrate the city's rich heritage with music, dance, street theatre and a waiter's walk. There will also be a city fountain whose water turns into gin, a gin distilling museum, and all different colours and flavours of genever on offer.
Find more information here.
'Hoppy Days' beer festival, Liège, from Friday 20 until Sunday 22 October
Wallonia's largest festival dedicated to beer is taking place in Liège this weekend. Local and international breweries will be joining in to offer over 130 different beers. The brews have been handpicked for their quality, the reputation of the big or micro-breweries and their success with the public.
Credit: Hoppy Days - Liege International Beer Festival / Facebook
There will be food stalls and a large terrace and a Crêpe Festival on Sunday. The weekend will also include concerts, discos, DJs, blind beer-tasting and various other challenges and quizzes, promising to be an unforgettable experience. Entrance is free.
Find more information here.
Film Fest Gent, Ghent, until Saturday 21 October
Belgium's largest film festival is celebrating its 50th edition this year, having long ago established itself as a world-class event, lauded for its concerts of film music and the World Soundtrack Awards – the only ceremony in the industry dedicated to film and television composers.
This year, the festival will also be selling circular merchandise to mark its 50th anniversary, offering limited edition bags, document covers, flower pots and notebooks all made in local bespoke shops.
Film Fest Gent 2023. Credit: Belga / Jonas D'Hollander
There will be a series of short films on Saturday to celebrate Walt Disney's centenary as well as the 23rd World Soundtracks Awards.
The festival is now in its final few days, so make sure you get yourself down to Ghent for an unmissable programme of films, talks, concerts and much more.
Find more information here.
