What better time to head out and explore Belgium's capital than during the very first weekend of the year?
Was your New Year's Resolution to visit more museums or to discover the world of classical music? This weekend in Brussels, it's all possible. Would you rather spend some time outside during the frosty, dry weekend? Then the Meise Botanical Garden has just the thing for you. Find our favourite activities below.
Arts, music and culture
Happy 2024 concert, Flagey, Friday 5 January
To get the year off to the right start, the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra is taking to the stage at Flagey to bring the audience a lively musical cocktail on Friday evening.
Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra. Credit: Flagey
Starting with the favourites from the emperors of the waltz, Johann Strauss Jr. and Sr., the concert will then lead into some romantic gems by Tchaikovsky, Gounod, and Dvorák. To finish, star trumpeter Lucienne Renaudin Vary will perform some classics. The crowd will then raise their glasses to a sparkling 2024.
Find more information here.
Free guided visit, CENTRALE, Sunday 7 January
This weekend, CENTRALE – the contemporary art museum located near Place Sainte-Catherine – is offering free guided tours (in French or Dutch) of the exhibition L'art de rien. The free tour is included with the purchase of an entrance ticket, but a spot should be reserved in advance.
Credit: CENTRALE
The group exhibition brings together artists, mostly Brussels-based, who work with humble materials, from reusing and diverting the broken or discarded to restoring dignity to ordinary, everyday objects.
Not able to make it this weekend? Don't worry: the free tour will also take place on the first Sunday of February and March.
Find more information here.
Last chance
Antoni Tàpies. The practice of art, Bozar, until Sunday 7 January
This retrospective exhibition at Bozar in the city centre looks back on the work of Catalan painter, sculptor and art theorist Antoni Tàpies. It is the first major exhibition in Belgium to showcase a complete overview of the work of the artist.
Credit: Bozar / Antoni Tàpies
From early drawings and self-portraits to his renowned 'matter paintings' and assemblages, the showcase travels through time from the 1940s to 1990s through a selection of 122 works, which have been collated at Bozar for the first time after several decades.
Find more information here.
Christmas festivities, Children's Museum, until Sunday 7 January
One for the little ones! As the school holidays draw to a close, so too will the Christmas at the Children's Museum in Ixelles. Here, families and friends can experience a fun and creative afternoon in a magical environment.
Credit: Children's museum
The afternoon includes creative workshops and an interactive exhibition. This weekend is the final chance for young adventurers to experience the museum in a whole new light.
Find more information here.
Further afield
Winter Floridylle, Meise Botanical Garden, until Sunday 7 January
This festival of lights is worth venturing out of Brussels for, especially over this wintery weekend. The Botanical Garden at Meise will transform into a fairytale forest, with a 3.5-kilometre trail decorated with 20 unique light installations to brighten up the long winter evenings.
Credit: Meise Botanical Garden
The installations are all inspired by the colourful plant world, from the illuminated Island Garden to the fairytale bamboo forest and the Plant Palace. The light display will be accompanied by enchanting sounds composed by Piet Goddaer (Ozark Henry). End your trip at the winter village for a warm drink or comfort food.
Find more information here.
