Brussels' events calendar is once again filled with unmissable activities, fairs and events this weekend.
From top documentaries on artistic creation and free concerts in one of the city's most historic buildings to the largest design market in Europe, find out what is happening in Brussels in the coming days.
Arts and culture
Brussels Art Film Festival, various locations in Brussels, until Sunday 17 November
Brussels Art Film Festival is returning to several of the region's independent cinemas for its 23rd edition, presenting top documentaries on artists and artistic creation, and allowing the audience to meet the artists and filmmakers behind the captivating creations.
Credit: BAFF
Discover 32 eclectic films on photography, literature, architecture, music, painting and much more. Highlights include Little Girl Blue, starring Marion Cotillard, and Life Will Give You Pictures, unveiling previously unseen photos of iconic stars such as David Bowie, Tina Turner and Mick Jagger, taken by Belgian photographer Herman Selleslags.
Find more information here.
'Piece of a Man' by David Labi, Le Bouche-à-Oreille Etterbeek, Friday 15 November
In this one-man tragicomedy, London-born, Brussels-based performer David Labi traces the turbulent life of his late father Marcello, a Libyan-Italian Jew and child survivor of the Holocaust. He lived a breakneck rollercoaster of a life due to unprocessed trauma, all while pulling his family along on his chaotic journey.
Credit: Victoriano Moreno, courtesy of Mestizo Arts Platform
The performance explores themes of identity, persecution, migration, and the healing power of storytelling. This much-praised show is in Brussels for just one night, so don't miss it!
Find more information here.
Sound of music
Music City Hall, Hôtel de Ville de Bruxelles, Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 November
This unique festival, which requires booking in advance, offers Belgian musicians a beautiful venue – the historic Brussels City Hall – and allows the public to enjoy an evening and an afternoon of sound discoveries free of charge.
Credit: City of Brussels
While this much-loved music festival is returning for its seventh edition this year, there is a novelty to Music City Hall 2024. For the first time, the event will span two days, offering 26 free concerts over the weekend. Top on our list are La Dame's DJ set, rich in drums, soulful inspiration and warmth, and Edda bel abysse who is bringing beats inspired by UK garage, jungle and RnB.
Find more information here.
Brussels Cello Festival 2024, Flagey and Église Notre-Dame de la Cambre, until Sunday 17 November
The Belgian capital's cello festival is an internationally recognised biennial event bringing together the world's top cellists and the most passionate rising stars. This year's festival theme is 'Cellists for Cellists' – a homage to cellist-composers who shaped the repertoire of the instrument, spanning the past four centuries.
Credit: Brussels Cello Festival
The fourth edition of the festival promises to be the biggest yet, with a total of eight concerts taking place in the well-known Flagey venue and the historic Église Notre-Dame de la Cambre.
Find more information here.
Out and about
Classic Car Show Brussels, Brussels Expo, until Sunday 17 November
This weekend, Brussels Expo will be the setting for the ninth edition of InterClassics Brussels, an annual highlight for lovers of vintage vehicles. The spotlight at the leading classic car fair is on Maserati, which is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year.
Credit: InterClassics
Especially for this occasion, more than 20 models of the Italian manufacturer from various museums and international private collections will be on show, giving visitors a complete picture of the illustrious car brand's history.
Find more information here.
Brussels Design Market, Gare Maritime (Tour & Taxis), Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 November
The November edition of the Brussels Design Market (pushed back from September as it coincided with Car-Free Sunday) will mark the celebration of the 35th edition of the event, which has evolved into the largest design market in Europe.
Credit: Brussels Design Market
For its anniversary edition, Brussels Design Market will welcome 155 passionate exhibitors from all over Europe, bringing with them a unique collection of 20th century products which no other fair has on offer.
Find more information here.
