What’s on this week: 16 to 22 January

For Europalia Espana, Spanish artist Oriol Vilanova enjoyed a residency at the Walter & Nicole Leblanc Foundation in Brussels. The resulting exhibition Cross-reading. Monotony is nice presents not only conceptual works by Vilanova based on vintage postcards and artefacts, but also the three artists who participated in the pioneering exhibition Serielle Formationen: Charlotte Posenenske, Peter Roehr and Walter Leblanc. Echoing Leblanc’s investigations into repetition, light and structure, the Spaniard reflects on how images are curated, displayed, transmitted and how this shapes collective imagination. 17 January (13.00-18.00) to 29 May, Wed-Fri by appointment only, Chaussée de Gand 1118, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe

More than an exhibition, THAT’S KOREA showcases traditional and contemporary Korean crafts, from heritage masterworks to modern design collaborations at the Korean Cultural Center. Fusing tradition and contemporary design, it brings together 36 Korean artisans and artists – 18 masters of national intangible heritage and 18 contemporary creators – in ceramics, embroidery, wood, metal, glass and Hanji handmade paper. Until 23 January, Rue de la Régence 4

Chill-busting Cuban sounds fill the Music Village on Friday evening. The concert features a host of musicians performing the repertoire of Rey Cabrera (1943-2024). It is performed by Nelson Garzon (son-in-law of Rey), Humberto Gonzalez, founder of Rey Cabrera y sus Amigos, Rubén Hernandez, Nico Sanchez, Leonid Muñoz and David Ramos. A highlight will be Rey’s final song, played by all the musicians, in which talks about daily life in his native Santiago de Cuba. 16 January 20.30, Rue des Pierres 50

Brussels families, mark your calendars for a week of movement as Bandit! Bandiet! arrives at Les Brigittines. This is the inaugural edition of Brussels' new dance festival designed especially for children aged two to 12. Over the course of the festival, four original shows will be presented in a total of 25 performances by artists from Belgium and France. On 24 January, children's party Boum Boum Boum! promises music and dance for all ages, perfect for families looking to spend a special afternoon together. 19-31 January, Petite Rue des Brigittines 

Ceramic Brussels returns to Tour & Taxis for a third edition showcasing the world of contemporary ceramic creation. It encompasses more than 70 Belgian and international exhibitors, a focus on Spain in honour of Europalia Espana, a solo show by guest artist Austrian Elmar Trenkwalder, and a group show by the 10 laureates of the 2026 ceramic Brussels art prize. Committed to championing a new wave of ceramic artists, the event is focused on encouraging collectors to acquire new works while promoting the art form at a European level. 21-25 January, Tour & Taxis, Avenue du Port 86C

PhotoBrussels Festival marks its 10th anniversary with an expansive, city-wide celebration of contemporary photography. Some 52 exhibitions by more than 100 artists are presented across galleries, museums, art centres and public spaces, showcasing the diversity and importance of photographic practice today. This special edition highlights both emerging talents and established voices, with a strong focus on Belgian and Brussel based artists. Exhibitions, talks and events invite the public to explore and engage with photography as a dynamic art form. Pictured: Odd Numbers by Belgian music producer Le Motel is a dreamscape set between Brussels and Northern Vietnam (254 Forest gallery). 22 January to 22 February, multiple locations

Book now Insomnia: Live performances by internationally-renowned Belgian choreographer and dancer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and pianist Alain Franco accompany the exhibition As you wish by De Keersmaeker and visual artist Steven Fillet at the Xavier Hufkens art gallery. Registration necessary; admission free with limited capacity (waiting list only). 5-7 & 12-14 February, Rue St Georges

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

The third edition of Mons en lumières illuminates not only the Hainaut capital but the science activity centre SPARKOH! Fusing art and technology, the emotive experience is entirely free. It highlights the historic centre of Mons as well as the Borinage region’s former industrial site. For 2026, the trail is themed Entering the light. A need to illuminate the world. It includes light installations and projections, designed in collaboration with local artists and businesses (2025 edition pictured). 22-25 January (Mons city centre) & 12-14 February (SPARKOH!), Rue de Mons 3, Framerie, 18.00-midnight, Hainaut province

The immersive light and sound experience Genesis continues its Belgian tour in the hallowed setting of Basilique Saint-Martin in Liège. A creation of Swiss artist collective PROJEKTIL, this light-based immersive experience is a tribute to the first days of the Earth, transforming the monumental site into a sensory journey of music, projections, and visual effects. 21 January to 8 March, Wed-Sun from 17.45, Rue du Mont St Martin 64, Liège

Opera Ballet Vlaanderen’s Rites is a bold triptych of dance and music reimagining three towering orchestral works as ritualised movement. At its heart is La Valse, re-interpreted by Algerian-French choreographer Nacera Belaza. Stripping Ravel’s swirling score for Bolera back to a profound inner dialogue, Bolero X is a contemporary take on Ravel’s famed rhythm, choreographed by Shahar Binyamini. Closing is Le Sacre du printemps in the iconic Pina Bausch staging with OBV dancers exploring the primal power and human complexity of Stravinsky’s score. 17 January to 5 February, City Theatre Antwerp & Capitole Ghent

PRISMA Queer Arts Festival transforms Bruges into a vibrant celebration of LGBTQ+ creativity, identity and community. Inviting everyone to “reclaim your space” through art, performance, workshops, film and discussion, the event is anchored in queer voices and experiences challenging the constraints of gender binaries. A rich programme is staged in venues across the city, including the Groeningemuseum’s drop-in tour, as well as talks, upcycling workshops, drag introductions and Happy New Queer, a lively evening of performance, music and dance. 16-18 January, across Bruges

For its 16th edition the francophone film event Tournai Ramdam Festival screens some 66 features and 42 shorts from around the world. Its focus as ever is on films that disturb. From fiction and documentaries to Belgian discoveries and international features, the festival is more than a gathering of cinephiles. It opens with The Kremlin Magician by Olivier Assayas (Fr 2025) and also includes the award-winning Belgian documentary about Nobel peace prize winner Dr Denis Mukwege, L’Homme qui répare les Femmes: La Colère D’Hippocrate (Bel 2015). 16-26 January, Imagix Tournai, Boulevard Delwart 60 (Hainaut)

Congolese visual artist, sculptor and performer Precy Numbi creates eco-futuristic sculptures, costumes and masks entirely from materials salvaged in Africa and Europe. His Namur exhibition Plus vivant is a continuing testament to waste and overconsumption in societies. Discarded objects, from plastic bottles and electronic circuits, to car shells and household appliances, are transformed into superheroes, ‘sapiens robots’, that also occupy public spaces for performances that highlight the dangers of rampant consumerism. Numbi will be creating a robot with local residents for a city parade on 11 April. Until 27 February, Le CCN, Traverse des Muses 18, Namur

Antwerp-based British American Theatrical Society BATS stages a new pantomime, Brabo and the Giant, specially written and directed by Nathan Daeche Greene. Weaving together goodies, baddies, love interest, comedy, songs, risqué double entendres and a healthy disrespect for historical accuracy, it re-tells the classic Antwerp legend of the giant Antigoon and the brave centurion Brabo. 17 January 19.30; 18 January 13.00 & 17.30, Mark Liebrecht Schouwburg, Heilig-Kruisstraat 16, Mortsel, Antwerp

Discover more upcoming events at The Bulletin's events page.

Photos: (main image) ©Oriol VilanovaNicole Leblanc Foundation; Thierry Van Hasselt Courtesy Les Brigittines; Photobrussels: 254 Forest gallery, Odd Numbers by Le Motel; Ceramic Brussels 2025 ©Geoffrey Fritsch; courtesy ATDK X Hufkens; Mons en lumieres ©HDR Chris; Eonarium Genesis in Bordeaux 2024 ©Fever; Courtesy Opera Ballet Vlaanderen; L’Homme qui répare les Femmes: La Colère D’Hippocrate (Thierry Michel/2015) ©JHR Film; Precy Numbi ©Sarah Crew; Brabo courtesy BATS Antwerp