How the summer has flown by! As the final weekend of August is upon us, take this opportunity to explore events where you would not usually venture. From a tomato-centric festival to a board game bonanza, here's what's on this weekend.
Arts, music and culture
Plazey Festival, Elisabeth Park Koekelberg, Friday 25 - Sunday 27 August
Inclusion, accessibility and most importantly fun. These three factors are at the heart of Plazey, a free city festival that takes place in Elisabeth Park in Koekelberg and is organised by two local community centres.
Youth theatre during the festival. Credit: GC De Zeyp
The event, which advertises itself as one big party, will host concerts, including by singer Aziza Brahim, whose music reflects the challenges she faced as a refugee, but also the hope she felt, as well as dance and circus performances. A wide range of workshops will also be organised, while a number of food stalls will serve up delectable treats.
Find more information here.
Soulphrodisiac, Tour & Taxis, Saturday 26 August
The long-anticipated first edition of Soulphrodisiac will descend upon Brussels this weekend, introducing its audience to the world of neo-soul, 90's Rnb, as well as Naija music (Nigerian) and Soukous music (a genre of dance music from Congo-Kinshasa and Congo-Brazzaville).
Credit: Soulphrodisiac
An unforgettable musical experience – with live music by Brussels-based artist STACE (whose music references some of the genre's big names, from D'Angelo to H.E.R.) and Parisian Maïssa, who made a name for herself on TikTok. Concerts will be followed by DJ sets to keep the crowd dancing.
Find more information here.
Out and about
Brussels Games Festival, The Egg Anderlecht, Friday 25 - Sunday 27 August
The Brussels Games Festival is heaven on earth for all game lovers: board games, party games, miniature games, wargames, educational games, wooden games (such as the Finnish mölkky) and even role-playing and life-size games, every type of game you like playing best will be fouud this weekend at Anderlecht's The Egg venue.
Credit: BGF
During its eighth edition, the BGF will return with the great classics such as the Game Market, where all the best games are represented, as well as with gamers' favourite publishers and stores, as well as the much-loved games night. For the real game fans: the protozone will showcase the games of tomorrow.
Find more information here.
Fresh finds
Brussels Tomato Festival, Ferme nos Pilifs, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 August
Those who assume tomatoes and Belgium have little correlation will stand corrected during this two-day event at the family-friendly Ferme Nos Pilifs in Neder-over-Heembeek. For the eighth Brussels Tomato Festival, more than 1,400 varieties of tomatoes will be on display.
Credit: City of Brussels
Meet passionate tomato collectors, nursery owners and market gardeners, who will give advice on how to harvest your seeds and provide tips and tricks for growing other vegetables and fruits, taste unbeatable local and organic products, and make sure to stay on for the election of the best tomato by a panel of connoisseurs.
Find more information here.
POM POM POM Craft Cider Festival, Vaux Hall, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 August
Those not yet familiar with the delicious crispness of cider should make their way to Vaux Hall this weekend for POM POM POM, the first Belgian festival dedicated to artisanal cider. Both Belgian and European producers will present their different cuvées, while the capital's top chefs will arrange a barbecue to line people's stomachs.
Credit: POM POM POM
At the festival, 21 producers will let visitors taste their craft ciders: 14 of them are Belgian, four are French, one is German, one Swiss and one Dutch. Entrance is free, and cider is €3 per glass.
Find more information here.
Further afield
KONVOOI Arts Festival, Het Entrepot at the Port of Bruges, Friday 25 - Sunday 27 August
What better place to give young artists free rein to explore their artistic identities than in the rugged setting of an industrial port? KONVOOI, the annual multidisciplinary arts festival, is created by young artists for young artists to give them the confidence and opportunity to showcase their work.
Credit: Konvooi
Let yourself be blown away by intimate circus performances and improvised theatre, sit down on the tarmac while enjoying various live music performances and push your own artistic boundaries by exploring the more unusual side of arts and culture. Worth the journey!
Find more information here.
