Culture beat: 18 December

As part of the Winter Wonders festival, the Belgian Waltz Committee invites you to join them for a dance on the Grand-Place in Brussels this Friday evening. This is an opportunity to waltz around the Christmas tree on the beautifully lit-up square. There are two 15-minute dances, starting at 20.00 and 20.30. Just turn up 15 minutes in advance, participation is free.

For a different type of dance - to the music of Bob Dylan - head to KVS on Quai aux Pierres de Taille for the premiere of an unusual collaboration between performance group Voetvolk and musician/composer Maarten Van Cauwenberghe, who plays Bob Dylan songs on vinyl while Flemish dancer/choreographer Lisbeth Gruwez moves to the music. 17-19 December 22.00.

As mentioned last week, the third edition of the über-cosy La Tricoterie Christmas market takes place this Sunday, 20 December, with about 20 stalls selling homemade and vintage creations, including knitwear, repurposed leather goods, original lighting designs, jewellery and more. Open 10.00-18.00, Rue Théodore Verhaegen 158, Saint-Gilles.

The Châtelain neighbourhood celebrates the end-of-year festivities with les Nocturnes Blanches, a long weekend of street performances, illuminated shop displays, food and drink, a Christmas village and activities for the children, which started yesterday and runs until Saturday night. 150 free parking spaces have been made available in the D'Ieteren building.

And if you're staying in Brussels between Christmas and the New Year, be sure to check out the BE Film Festival at Cinematek which presents the best Belgian films of 2015 as well as some previews of movies due out in 2016. The festival opens on 26 December and finishes with a New Year's Eve party at Bozar.

Outside Brussels

Studio Brussel’s annual charity campaign Music for Life culminates in a week-long telethon, which this year benefits some 1,000 organisations chosen by ordinary citizens. The event is broadcast live 24 hours a day from a festive open-air pavilion (complete with campsite) in Flanders’ beating heart of dance music – the Tomorrowland grounds in Antwerp province. You can contribute by raising money for your favourite non-profit yourself or simply purchasing a flame pin. Each day a Warmathon takes place in a different provincial capital, from Bruges to Hasselt. Runners and walkers can enjoy a 2.5 kilometre stroll through their favourite city – and all for charity. 18-24 December at De Schorre, Boom.