This weekend is a big one for Brussels. The Pope's in town, there are the French-speaking Community's celebrations, festivals galore and the EU is hosting its annual and much-anticipated multilingualism day.
Find all our favourite activities happening in the Belgian capital below. But if these events don't take your fancy, check out our monthly gig guide and cinema guide for some September concert and film inspiration to end the month on a high.
Arts, music and culture
Free concert, Grand Place, Friday 27 September
A major free concert – 'Le Grand Rendez-Vous' – is being organised on Brussels' most iconic square to kick off the weekend, as part of the French-speaking Community's annual celebrations this week.
Free concert on Grand Place. Credit: Belga
This year, big names in francophone Belgium and abroad will grace the stage in Brussels' city centre, such as Eurovision's Mustii, Oscar and the wolf, Clara Luciani, Henri PFR, Puggy and Iliona. The concert will begin at 19:30 and access to the square will be closed off should it reach maximum capacity – so get there early!
Find more information here.
Multilingualism Day, European Parliament, Friday 27 and Saturday 28 September
This weekend, the European Parliament will open its doors to the public to celebrate linguistic diversity in the EU. The event offers eager linguists an opportunity to peek behind the scenes of the world's most multilingual parliament. Visitors can meet staff, learn about their work and set foot inside the Hemicycle where MEPs debate and vote.
Credit: European Parliament Interpreters / Facebook
There is a varied programme of online workshops available on Friday, while on Saturday visitors can attends talks on-site. These include a day in the life of an interpreting or translator, how the professions have evolved in the age of AI and multilingualism in democracy, among others. People can even test out the interpreting booths, participate in language games and translate alongside experts.
Find more information here.
Matonge en Couleurs - Braderie & Brocante, Matonge, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 September
Spending this weekend in the vibrant community of Matonge in Ixelles will guarantee a great day out. Matonge en Couleurs will have a wide variety of fun free activities on offer from 09:00 to 18:00 around the Saint-Boniface district.
Credit: Matong'Art
Bargain-hunters are in for a treat, as a huge brocante (jumble sale) will line the streets and over 200 second-hand dealers are expected to attend. There will also be street art, circus skills and performances, a creative market and activities for children.
Find more information here.
Korean Film Festival, various locations in Brussels, until 3 October
The 12th edition of the Korean Film Festival is coming to Brussels, with 14 diverse films spanning various genres over eight days. The films range from contemporary blockbusters to classic masterpieces, all providing a platform for dialogue and appreciation of Korean cinematic art.
There will be various sections. Korean Film Today focuses on trending topics and promises a diverse range of cinema, from action and thrillers to independent films and dramas. RE-Imagined Tales has an exciting line-up of films, series, animations and web dramas.
For fans of renowned director Kim Jee-woon, there will be a special forum on 28 September. Esteemed experts from the European and Korean film industries will serve as panelists, and Jee-woon will conduct a masterclass.
Find more information here.
FAME Festival, various locations in Brussels, until Saturday 28 September
FAME (Festival where Arts Meet Empowerment) is an annual multidisciplinary performing arts festival dedicated to new, more inclusive and just ways of thinking through the artistic work and thoughts of women and gender minorities.
The festival includes workshops, meetings, exhibitions, lectures and debates, theatre, dance, and a 'carte blanche' for collectives. In this way, the festival aims to bring art into dialogue with residents and associations.
Find more information here.
Out and about
Eat Festival and BXLBeerFest, Gare Maritime at Tour & Taxis, until Sunday 29 September
The capital's unmissable culinary event is returning to Gare Maritime this weekend. During this four-day gastronomic extravaganza, around 60 chefs and artisans will serve up signature dishes, indulgent desserts and cheeses, Brussels beers and original cocktails.
Eat Festival 2022 at Gare Maritime. Credit: Maurine Toussaint
This year, Eat Festival will once again partner with BXLBeerFest, offering guests the very best of Belgian breweries to pair with their dishes. There will also be new workshops, tastings, demonstrations and the famous 100% Brussels producers' market. For the second year running, the Belgian Cheesemakers Federation will also present the national Premier Fromager competition.
Find more information here.
'Journées du Matrimoine', various locations in Brussels, until Sunday 29 September
This weekend, the non-profit L'architecture qui dégenre will hold the alternative 'Journées du Matrimoine' (Matrimony Days) dedicated to women, following on from the 'Journées du patrimoine' (Heritage Days) earlier this month.
Exploring the capital's artistic, political and feminist heritage, the initiative will highlight five collectives that have contributed to the Belgian women's heritage, including the Union of African Women, the 'Les Biches Sauvages' (Wild Does) movement and the Belgian Union of Women Architects.
Find more information here.
CurieuCity, Forest, until Sunday 29 September
CurieuCity is a unique opportunity for the whole family to enjoy a free festival combining science and the arts, with exhibitions, workshops, walks and discussions on the programme.
Credit: CurieuCity / Youssef Meftah
Dive into nature at Marais Wiels and learn about fungi, the local fauna and flora and observe micro-organisms. There will also be workshops and games for young and old at Divercity and La Marelle, as well as the Land Connection Practices participatory art project in Parc Duden.
Find more information here
