Spooky season has well and truly kicked off in the Belgian capital, and there is a variety of eclectic club nights, exhibitions and more to get you in the mood this weekend. Here's The Brussels Times' Halloween special of what's going on this weekend.
Arts, music and culture
Hangar Halloween, Brussels Gate, Friday 27 and Saturday 28 October
For the second edition of Brussels' biggest Halloween party, Hangar Halloween has found a new venue in a former industrial warehouse on the outskirts of Brussels, offering 16 hours of music in three different rooms across two days.
Credit: Hangar / Facebook
With a total of 27 artists performing, the eclectic and international line-up includes the cutting-edge house of Germany's Ben Böhmer, the infectious energy of Canada's Jayda G and the French touch of Pedro Winter, creator of the Ed Banger label. The two-day indoor rave also features Stephan Bodzin (live), Mees Salomé, Luna Semara, and DJibouti, among others.
Find more information here.
Couleur Café Club, Buda BXL, Saturday 28 October
Last year, 1,500 party-goers turned up to dance the night away at the first Couleur Café Club night. This Saturday's second edition – once again at Buda BXL in Haren – is sure to be just as memorable.
Credit: Couleur Café Club
With 11 artists diving into genres ranging from amapiano to electro, funk, RnB, and afro-beat, including three of the biggest names in Nyege Nyege, it promises to be another great night out.
Find more information here.
Out and about
'Tim Burton's Labyrinth' exhibition, Tour & Taxis, until February 2024
'Tim Burton's Labyrinth', an immersive exhibition in the form of a maze which explores the fantastical world of American director, screenwriter and producer Tim Burton, opened at Tour & Taxis on 20 October and is the perfect Halloween activity for all the family.
Credit: Tim Burton's Labyrinth
Behind the many doors will be rooms displaying the artist's creations: sets, costumes, original drawings and life-size statues, such as that of Edward Scissorhands.
The exhibition aims to remind visitors of the man behind numerous illustrations, paintings and photographs. It takes the public on a journey through 15 rooms, with each room corresponding to one of the artist's favourite themes, such as animals, death, or monsters.
Find more information here.
'King Charles III', Petit Théâtre Mercelis, until Saturday 28 October
While not a typically spooky event, this 'alternative history' play tells the story of an eerily relevant, imagined future of the British monarchy – and even features a ghost!
King Charles and the ghost of Princess Diana. Credit: Isabella Vivian / The Brussels Times
Written in 2014, the fictional, modern Shakespeare play falls somewhere between Netflix's 'The Crown' and 'House of Cards' and begins with the death of Queen Elizabeth II and Charles' ascension to the throne. "It's the story of a man trying to leave his mark on the world, and a play that will make you laugh and think," director Johanna Kainz told The Brussels Times.
The play is being staged by Brussels Shakespeare society and kicked off on Tuesday. Friday's performance has sold out but there are still tickets available for Saturday's shows at 14:30 and 20:00.
Find more information here.
'The Adventures of the White Unicorn' stand-up comedy show, La Plume Persée, Friday 27 October
After a number of successful performances in Luxembourg, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Geneva and Tallinn, Estonia-born but Brussels-based stand-up comedian Heli Pärna is bringing her first comedy show to the Belgian capital.
Her first solo stand-up show, 'The Adventures of the White Unicorn', premiered during the Tallinn Fringe Festival in August 2023 and is now coming to Brussels for the first time.
Credit: Heli Pärna
Pärna runs the 'Funny Women Brussels' comedy club and 'Tits on Tour' shows, which bring female comedians together from different cities. She also organises comedy writing workshops and stand-up business events for employers.
With depictions of "life in Brussels, life in Estonia and life on Tinder," her new English-language show is surely not one to miss.
Find more information here.
Further afield
Horst Arts & Music, Vilvoorde, Friday 27 and Saturday 28 October
Horst Arts & Music is celebrating its 10th anniversary this autumn and has announced a new temporary club – in the shape of a human tornado – at its festival grounds in Vilvoorde (Flemish Brabant).
Moon Ra by Leopold Banchini in 2021. Credit: Dieter Van Caneghem / Horst Arts & Music
The venue will open its doors on Friday 27 October for 20 club nights which will run until mid-March. The organisers say that the programme will feature national and international musical talent and artistic performances, with Gabrielle Kwarteng, ISAbella and Sixsixsixties on Friday's line-up, and GiGi FM, Islas, and Marco Shuttle performing on Saturday.
Tickets for Friday have now sold out but there are still some available for Saturday.
Find more information here.
