With another bank holiday lined up for Monday, this long weekend is the perfect excuse to make the most out of Saturday and Sunday by exploring the best and lesser-known parts of the city.
From an all-day party in the city centre in honour of the LGBTQ community and the cosiest festival in Jette to tasting some delicious street food in Auderghem or Tour & Taxis, here's what's on in Brussels this weekend.
Out and about
Brussels Pride, various locations in Brussels, Saturday 18 May
To mark Pride week, the Belgian capital has been dressed in the colours of the rainbow flag in honour of the LGBTQ community and various activities have been taking place across the region's neighbourhoods over the past few days.
People take to the streets for Brussels Pride in 2023. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
The event will culminate in the traditional Pride March on Saturday. The organisers expect 250,000 people to take to the streets of the capital to defend their rights and celebrate diversity. The march will depart at 14:00 from Mont des Arts. It will be followed by concerts, performances, activist speeches and parties to end the day with a bang.
Find more information here.
Jam'in Jette Outdoor, Jette, Friday 17 and Saturday 18 May
Get ready for the 12th edition of Jam'in Jette Outdoor, which has rapidly grown to become one of Brussels' most beloved local festivals. This year, organisers have once again lined up a jam-packed and diverse programme showcasing the best of world music.
Jam'in Jette 2018. Credit: asbl KWA
The free event offers something for everyone, from shows and concerts featuring frenzied rhythms and lively artists to workshops for young and old, (children's) activities, dance performances and more. For the party animals, there will be two memorable after-parties at the Excelsior Stam Cool Café Jette where the festival will continue until the early hours.
Find more information here.
For the foodies
StrEat Fest, Tour & Taxis, until Sunday 19 May
StrEat Fest is returning to the capital for a third edition due to popular demand and an ever-increasing number of attendees. The festival, dedicated to reimagining street food, will serve up food from chefs, restaurant owners and artisans from all across Belgium and further afield over four days. 70 of the 100 chefs will be participating for the first time.
The 2023 edition of StrEat Fest at Tour & Taxis. Credit: Belga / Timon Ramboer
Festival-goers not only get to explore the different food stands, but also have access to 150 culinary masterclasses and urban art workshops, as well as 40 concerts featuring artists such as Doowy, Bart Kobain, Olivier Gosseries, Nephtys, and OK Panda.
Find more information here.
Brussels Food Festival, Auderghem, until Monday 20 May
Alongside StrEat Fest, the Brussels Food Festival will transform Auderghem's Boulevard du Souverain into a culinary heaven. More than 30 food stands and bars will create Brussels' biggest terrace – over 200 metres long – in the middle of the street.
Credit: Brussels Food Festival
Chefs of the stands will take people on a culinary journey from Chile and Argentina to India and Japan, via Africa and Europe. Make sure to wear loose trousers!
Find more information here.
Arts, music and culture
JEM International Puppet Festival, Théâtre Royal du Peruchet, until 9 June
Brussels long has historical ties with the art of puppet theatre. Adding to this tradition, the capital hosts Belgium's most international puppet festival, which showcases new and more familiar forms of puppet theatre. For the event's seventh edition, organisers are delivering another rich cross-disciplinary programme including paper theatre, shadow theatre, object theatre, string theatre, rod theatre, bunraku, and much more.
Credit: Théâtre Royal du Peruchet
This edition will feature 19 different shows with a total of 41 performances by artists from Germany, France, Ireland, Slovakia, the US, the Netherlands, Czechia, Greece, Italy, and the DRC over four weekends. The JEM Festival stands out by aiming to include as many viewers as possible: many of the shows are non-verbal which means there are no language barriers.
Find more information here.
