From countless farmer protests in the European Quarter to record-breaking weather and cherished traditions, here is The Brussels Times' year in photos.
January
Belgium was covered in a blanket of snow in January, causing major disruptions up and down the country. Fortunately, the frosty conditions resulted in some picturesque scenes.
We asked our readers to send in their best snowy snaps, and this was the result!
Credit: Pauline / Alexander Thierfelder Guerrero / Kelly Maher
Credit: Réka Aguilar
On Wednesday 17 January, up to 10 centimetres of snow was recorded.
Credit: Popi Pervolaraki / Todd Brogan
February
Although this year's string of farmer protests began at the end of January, they peaked at the start of February, when some 1,200 tractors rolled into the Belgian capital, causing severe traffic disruption.
Tractors pictured on Rue de la Loi during protests in February. Credit: Belga / Benoit Doppagne
The honking of horns could be heard night and day in Brussels, with convoys of tractors driving into the city throughout the week ahead of the EU summit.
Rows of tractors on Rue Belliard, Thursday 1 February 2024. Credit: Belga / Hatim Kaghat
Some protestors threw eggs at the main EU Parliament building, emptied carts of manure and toppled a historic sculpture dating back to 1871 on Place du Luxembourg.
The toppled statue and fire on Place du Luxembourg. Credit: Belga / Dirk Waem
Protests later in the month resulted in violent clashes with police. Farmers set straw bales and tractor tyres ablaze on Rue de la Loi.
Police during a farmers' protest in Brussels, Monday 26 February 2024. Farmers continue their protest across Europe as they demand better conditions to grow, produce and maintain a proper income. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
Farmers denounced stricter regulations, the Nature Restoration Act, and criticised the EU-Mercosur agreement, which aims to open up free trade and investment between the EU and Latin American countries.
They also called for increased budgets for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to support Belgian farms.
March
Traffic in Brussels ground to a halt again in March when the European march against austerity came to town.
Credit: Belga
Unions took to the city's streets to protest against strict European budget rules. "The Covid-19 crisis and the war in Ukraine put austerity on the back burner, but now it has returned," the FGTB/ABVV socialist union said at the time.
Demonstration in Brussels against the European Union's plans to reintroduce austerity, Tuesday 12 December 2023. Credit: Belga / Hatim Kaghat
April
To mark the changing of the seasons, we asked our readers to send us their spring snaps in April. Here are some of the highlights.
Tulips in Parc du Cinquantenaire, Brussels. Credit: Rick Zedník
Blankets of cherry blossom in Brussels made for some beautiful photos.
Cherry blossom lined streets in Plasky, Schaerbeek. Credit: Onur Kir
Tourists and locals flocked to Plasky in Schaerbeek to snap the avenues lined with the bright pink and purple flowers.
Bee pollinating a lavender flower in Louvain-La-Neuve. Credit: Charlotte Heymans
May
The Northern Lights were observed over Belgium several times this year, but the phenomenon was first spotted in May.
Many people took to social media to share their photos of colourful skies in Belgium and neighbouring countries.
Northern Lights above Limburg (Belgium) in May. Credit: Twitter
In October, the country experienced the largest solar flare since 2017.
June
2024 was a big year for politics, as the European elections and Belgium's federal and regional elections took place on Sunday 9 June.
Millions turned up at polling stations across the country to make their voices heard. There was also a record-breaking number of abstentions.
Voters wait at a polling station in Vilvoorde. Credit: Belga/ Tom Goyvaerts
Despite the results coming in thick and fast and right-wing parties shaking up Belgium's political landscape, the country is still without a Federal Government over six months on.
For the EU elections, Belgians voted on the MEPs whom they wanted to see representing them at the European level.
European Elections Night 2024. Credit: EP Photo
A total of 22 Belgian MEPs were elected. Francophone liberals MR gained a seat to match the three seats each retained by the Flemish far-right Vlaams Belang and right-wing N-VA.
July
Despite linguistic and political divisions, Belgians come together on National Day (21 July) to celebrate their shared sense of identity.
This year marked the 193rd anniversary of the swearing-in of Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, who became the first king of the Belgians on 21 July 1831. It also marked 11 years of King Philippe being on the throne.
Credit: Belga/ Hatim Kaghat
Highlights of the day included a military and civilian parade at the Place des Palais, the Resto National (Brussels' largest restaurant) and various activities in the Parc de Bruxelles.
Credit: Belga/ Hatim Kaghat
The day culminated in a free concert with a spectacular display of fireworks, lasers and drones at Parc du Cinquantenaire in the European Quarter.
National Day celebrations. Credit: Belga / Hatim Kaghat
August
August brought the eagerly-awaited return of Brussels' biennial flower carpet.
The 2024 motif of the flower carpet. Credit: The Brussels Times
More than 100 volunteers worked non-stop for six hours on Thursday 15 August to decorate the cobblestones of Grand Place with the world-famous floral artwork.
September
Sunday 21 September marked the best day of the year for avid cyclists, keen walkers and lovers of Brussels, as the Belgian capital once again transformed into the largest car-free zone in Europe.
Car-Free Sunday 2024. Credit: The Brussels Times / Ugo Realfonzo
Parties and events took over the streets and public transport was free, as cars were banned from the capital throughout the day.
October
Belgians returned to the polling booths on Sunday 13 October for the country's local elections.
Election posters for local elections. Credit: Belga / Virginie Lefour
As the results trickled in, it became clear that many of the trends seen during the federal elections in June did not materialise at the local level.
November
On Friday 29 November, many Brussels residents stopped to stare as they saw a sprawling and surrealist squid emerge on the city's iconic Place Poelaert.
The inauguration of Nauti-poulpe, an artwork designed by Francois Schuiten in The Return of Captain Nemo and inspired by the world of Jules Verne, Friday 29 November 2024 in Brussels. The artwork will travel to Amiens in early 2025. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
The 12-tonne bronze sculpture stretches across the square and is an "ode to Brussels," according to its creator. "I want to revive the creativity, the imagination, the visionary instincts in Brussels," he told The Brussels Times.
December
On the same day of the spectacular squid's inauguration, Brussels' iconic Winter Wonders (Plaisirs d'Hiver/Winterpret) returned to the city centre.
the opening of the 'Winterpret - Plaisirs d'Hiver', the Christmas Market in Brussels city centre, Friday 29 November 2024. Credit: Belga / Lou Lampaert
Throughout December and into early January, the markets, light and sound shows, Christmas tree and nativity scene in Grand Place bring a festive atmosphere to Brussels.
