Unsure how to fill your weekend? Look no further! We have leafed through Brussels' cultural agenda and to select our favourite events and activities. From the pre-loved English book fair in Auderghem to an alternative Saint-Gillois music festival, discover them below!
Arts, music and culture
Klara Festival, various locations, until Sunday 30 March
The annual fixture for the crème de la crème of performers and music lovers is returning for a fourth night starting this weekend. Audiences are invited to hear imaginative soloists and orchestras play classical masterpieces, jazz and contemporary creations at several of Brussels' most iconic venues, including Flagey and Bozar.
Credit: Bozar/ Klara Festival
2025 sees Klarafestival celebrate its 20th edition under the title "We Are Now". The occasion will see the launch of a new tradition: for one day, the Mont des Arts (‘Mount of the Arts’) will transform into a Mont de Musique (‘Mount of music’). The programme at venues located around this landmark location will pay homage to Brussels' vibrant music scene.
Find more information here.
Les Equinoxes Festival, La Tricoterie - Link factory, Saturday 22 March
The beloved Saint-Gilles cultural centre La Tricoterie will again host Les Équinoxes, a day festival with a conscious pricing policy promoting feminism, inclusivity, sustainability and accessibility.
Credit: Les Equinoxes Festival
The agenda features concerts including by the popular group Turkish Kebap, interactive activities, a drag queen performance, children's readings addressing themes such as identity, family and love, a live recording of Rokia Bamba's ‘Sororités’ podcast, workshops and a DJ set by Brussels DJ RaQL. What better way to celebrate the spring equinox?
Find more information here.
Black diasporas in the spotlight
Black History Month, AB, Friday 21 March
Iconic Brussels music venue Ancienne Belgique in the city centre is partnering with Black History Month Belgium to organise the seventh edition of this multidisciplinary socio-cultural festival.
Credit: AB
This year's theme 'B(l)ack to Our Roots' symbolises a desire to return to the festival's foundational purpose for Black communities – a celebration of heritage, identity, diversity, and creativity – and invites a thoughtful exploration of ancestral legacies, cultural histories, and generational wisdom. The evening will kick off with a songwriting (lyrics) workshop hosted by STACE, an emerging figure in Neo-soul, followed by a Jabanè Session.
Find more information here.
Contrechamps Film Festival #3 – The Black Atlantic, Cinéma Vendôme, until Sunday 23 March
The third edition of the Contrechamps Film Festival – dedicated to the work of filmmakers of African descent – draws attention to the Black Atlantic, a network of diasporas centred around the Atlantic, which is neither specifically African, Caribbean, European or American, but all of these at once.
Credit: Contrechamps Film Festival
The multiple trajectories of the black diasporas between Africa, Europe and the Americas carry countless stories, realities and possibilities. These will be showcased in a series of several award-winning feature and short films, documentaries and dramas, including several award-winning pictures. The programme also includes themed meetings with distinguished guests and performances.
Out and about
Limited Edition Art Fair, Villa Empain, until Sunday 23 March
Held in the prestigious setting of the Villa Empain, this event organised by the Boghossian Foundation invites art lovers and collectors to discover the works of Belgian and international artists, both emerging and established.
Credit: LEAF/ Villa Empain
The fifth edition of the Limited Edition Art Fair will again display a wide range of artworks including offset prints, lithographs, etchings, serigraphs, prints, illustrations, ceramics and photographs, all produced in limited editions. The fair also showcases editions created by artists who have stayed at the Art Deco-style Villa near Bois de la Cambre, completing this unique artistic experience.
Find more information here.
Second-hand book sale Serve the City, Vineyard Brussels, Saturday 22 March
Looking to get rid of some books or want to expand your collection? Head to Auderghem, located in the south-eastern part of Brussels, for another edition of Serve the City Brussels' Secondhand English Book Sale, offering a broad selection of pre-loved fiction, non-fiction and children’s books.
Credit: Serve the City
Once you've browsed the selection, head to the checkout to pay for your books by how many centimetres they stack up (€1 per centimetre). All proceeds go to Serve the City, which supports vulnerable people in Belgium, including refugees and asylum seekers, children in need, and the elderly.
Find more information here.
And finally, a reminder for next week:
The future of Brussels: as world affairs develop at lightning speed, Belgium's capital still has no government nine months after elections. As debts rise and the public services struggle to meet growing insecurity, negotiations remain paralysed. To understand the implications of the deadlock and what chance there is of a way out, The Brussels Times is hosting an after-work panel from 18:30 to 20:30 on Tuesday 25 March at Cardo Brussels Hotel. Speaking will be philosopher Philippe Van Parijs, Vista party president Jan Wostyn, and Professor of Constitutional Law Céline Romainville. Registration is free, please RSVP to: info@brusselstimes.com.
