This weekend is all about exploring: from discovering pieces of art spanning 4,000 years of international history and unique pieces of vintage design to immersing yourself in the story of one of the most iconic bands in the world. Here's what's on in Brussels this weekend.
Arts, music and culture
Brussels Art Square, Sablon, Friday 22 until Sunday 24 September
The famous art galleries of Brussels' Sablon are loved by locals and tourists alike. Since 2005, they have opened their doors during Brussels Art Square (BAS), allowing people to discover their exceptional works covering 4,000 years of international art history.
Credit: BRIGIT
Nearly 70 art galleries will open their doors for this year's edition, giving people the unique opportunity to discover exceptional pieces, inaccessible locations and contemporary artists.
As well as the gallery owners based in Sablon, international galleries from Vienna, London, Paris and Switzerland, as well as other venues in Belgium, will also be exhibiting.
Find more information here.
Multilingualism Days, Brussels and European Parliament, Friday 22 and Saturday 23 September
This weekend, both the European Parliament and Brussels Parliament in Brussels will open their doors to the public to celebrate Multilingualism Day. The Brussels version is held on Saturday and will bring fascinating debates on topics such as artists and their relationship with multilingualism.
The Hemicycle Hall of the European Parliament. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
The European event, meanwhile, offers an opportunity to peek behind the scenes of the world's most multilingual parliament, where participants can meet interpreters, translators and other multilingual staff, learn about their work through workshops and set foot inside the Hemicycle where MEPs debate and vote.
Find more information here.
Out and about
Fêtes Romanes: Street Arts Festival, Wolubilis, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September
Woluwe-Saint-Lambert's unmissable street art event is back with a host of exciting discoveries, from acrobatics, circus and gravity-defying balancing acts to street theatre acts and comedy shows.
Credit: Fêtes Romanes
Meet some 30 jewellers and other creators of ceramics, soft toys, fashion and decorative accessories at Rencontre des créateur.ice.s, where they will showcase their works and explain their techniques.
Find more information here.
Brussels Design Market, Tour & Taxis, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September
The largest vintage market in Europe will return to the Belgian capital this weekend, offering an exceptional opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of vintage design and delve into its fascinating history.
Discover an eclectic and upscale range of furniture, lighting and interior accessories, showcasing the trends of the last century. Iconic pieces by renowned designers such as Sottsass, Le Corbusier, Eames, Jacobsen, and Panton will also be prominently featured.
Find more information here.
Further afield
Abba Exhibition, Waterloo Battle Site, until 18 May 2024
For this iconic, Swedish four-piece band, the Belgian town of Waterloo was more than just the inspiration for a Eurovision song: it propelled it to fame and was the start of a long series of hits that the whole world is still singing five decades later.
Credit: Abba Expo
The Battle of Waterloo Estate is now celebrating the 50th anniversary of the song and its history during a retrospective exhibition on the pop giants named 'ABBA 1974-2024'. It tells the story of the band, starting from their solo debut in the 1960s to their historic return in 2021 with the 'ABBA Voyage' concept.
Find more information here.
