Dance your days and nights away at Brussels Dance Festival this summer

The Belgian capital will move to the rhythm of the Brussels Dance Festival (BDF) from 14 to 24 August.

As one of Brussels’ key summer events, with “10 days of beats, bass and movement,” it will make the city sparkle, transforming public spaces into open air dance floors, according to city mayor Philippe Close and alderwoman for tourism and major events Delphine Houba.

Brussels is no stranger to dance, recalls Close, with big names including Maurice Béjart and Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker. It also hosts key events such as Les Brigittines International Festival in August, and, for the first time, the Estivales de la Danse, at Bozar on 3 July.

“Brussels is a city on the move and the Brussels Dance Festival proves this,” says the mayor. “We want to express ourselves in different places in the city… and are paying great attention to how we can show our diverse image through dance.”

With concerts, workshops and performances taking place primarily at Place De Brouckère and Place de la Bourse, the festival is designed to be open to all: Brussels residents, tourists, families, committed dance lovers or those curious to learn.

The aim is to encourage people who do not really think dance is for them to have a go. “This open air dance festival will include workshops for all ages and levels,” says Houba.

“Whether you’re a fan of ballet or classical, hip hop or contemporary dance, a novice or a professional, you’re bound to find what you’re looking for in this fun, varied and inspiring programme,” she adds.

Taking inspiration from international festivals like the Lyon Biennale of Dance and the New York Battery Dance Festival, the BDF oozes shows, free dance floors, battles, DJ sets, disco, dance walks and immersive installations. Moreover, with accessibility key, most events are free of charge. 

“For us, that’s a fine statement: dance is not a luxury,” Houba emphasises. “It’s a universal language, a shared emotion and a party, of course! What’s more, dancing is good for our mental health. So there’s no reason not to do it.” 

The festival kicks off on 14 August with a must-see performance featuring the Junior Ballet Project, Belgian rappers CRC and Krisy and culminating with a breathtaking Héliosphère spectacle boasting acrobats and an aerial dancer attached to a helium balloon.

Other highlights include the 22 August urban electronic music Parade Colour Wheels, powered by dancers; a 17 August giant classical dance lesson on the Grand-Place; dance-themed cinema screenings; two dance walks (23 August) across the city; and, after-dance parties on the Bourse rooftop cafe.

With its aim to make the festival diverse and inclusive, BDF also features queer and drag dance battles, projects led by Fedasil (the agency for the reception of asylum seekers), and collaborations with collectives like Créahm that work with artists with a handicap.

“A city that dances is a living city,” Close concludes. “And that is the spirit of Brussels: to open up the city, to make it vibrate, and to turn public space into a place of culture and freedom.” 

Brussels Dance Festival
14 to 24 August
Sun-Wed, 15.00-20.00
Thurs-Sat, 15.00-1.00
Place de la Bourse, Place de Brouckère, Grand Place