What’s on this week: 18 to 24 July

Foire du Midi offers some 130 attractions, from traditional carousels and stomach-churning rides to simple old-fashioned fun. The website offers a helpful map to find all of this and also splits the attractions up by “for thrillseekers” and “for the whole family”. Another star attraction is the array of food stands... Don’t miss out on the delicious deep-fried, sugar-coated croustillants and the bowls of steaming mussels! 19 July to 24 August, daily from 14.00,  Boulevard du Midi

Belgium celebrates its national day on 21 July with colourful activities around the country. In the capital, the festivities start with the popular evening National Ball on Saturday from 19.00 in Place du Jeu de Balle, which is also the scene of the Resto National and traditional musical entertainment on Sunday from 17.00. The annual civil and military parade on 21 July begins at 16.00 opposite the royal palace, while Brussels park and Place Poelaert is filled with stands and activities, including demonstrations by police and firefighters. The party continues in Cinquantenaire park with a concert by 15 Belgian artists at 21.00, followed by a laser and drone light show and firework display from the site’s esplanade and arcades. 20 & 21 July, multiple locations in the city centre

In the run-up to Belgium’s national holiday on 21 July, Bouillon Bruxelles restaurant and the Brussels Beer Project (BBP) are hosting a Grande Bouffe National on Friday evening. The outdoor event promises to be a convivial affair with the public invited to gather around a large communal table to enjoy some Belgian specialities. On the menu are shrimp croquettes, mussels and fries and chocolate mousse. The three-course menu, accompanied by local beers, is priced at €44. You’ll need to reserve a spot quickly! 19 July 18.00-22.00, Quai de Biestebroeck 23 (Anderlecht)

The Design Museum contributes to the capital’s Art Deco centenary celebrations with a new exhibition focusing on a pioneering and prolific husband-and-wife-team. Paris, Brussels and back. The Art Deco period of the Baucher-Ferron couple Until 2 November, Place de Belgique 1, Heysel (Laeken)

Families can immerse themselves in medieval fantasy at the adventure nature park Sortilège. Located in Bois des Beguines on the edge of the capital, the three-hour game for children and their parents - or groups of friends - involves a mission by a prince who is in search of knights. During the urban forest trail participants will meet various fantasy characters, including the Manneken de Neder in honour of the 850th anniversary of the municipality. There’s also aerial adventure with tree climbing trails. It is necessary to reserve in advance. Note: this is a screen-free environment – smartphones are ideally tucked away!  Until 2 November Wednesday & Thursday (during school holidays) & Saturday & Sunday, Trassersweg 345 (Neder-over-Hembeek)

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Some one million people come through Ghent for the legendary Gentse Feesten, the largest theatre and music festival in Europe. The sprawling 10-day popular event features numerous stages in parks and squares with concerts, performances and  street theatre, but it goes far beyond that. You’ll find food, guided tours, boat trips, circus acts, exhibitions, readings, sport and endless other curiosities day and night. Create a schedule via the festival app or just wander through the city centre and let it surprise you. 18-27 July, across Ghent

Sfinks Mixed has the same laid-back hippie vibe as Couleur Café with its colourful parades, world market and fun Kidz Village. The big difference? Sfinks is free. All four days of this diverse world music line-up from Afrobeat, world and folk sounds require no prior reservation. Headliners for 2025 include Bob Marley’s son Ky-Mani and Sona Jobarteh from Gabon. A new feature is the Casa de Amigos comfort zone. 24-27 July, Welvaartstraat 81, Boechout (Antwerp province)

Walloon favourite Les Francofolies de Spa opens this year with a spot of controversy due to the participation of Franco-Israeli singer Amir. While he has the support of the festival, 10 other artists have condemned his ties to Israel in a statement, with three of them pulling out of the event. Meanwhile, the picturesque Ardennes town of Spa prepares to lay on a festival with its usual multi-generational line-up of French music, including MC Solaar, Véronique Sanson, Julien Doré, Mustii, Lubiana and Aliocha Schneider. 17-20 July, across Spa (Liege)

Mons Memorial Museum’s new year-long exhibition L'esprit carcéral explores the imprisonment of four local figures: Paul Verlaine, Cécile Detournay, Marguerite Bervoets and Fernand Dumont. The towering poets and resistance members were all incarcerated in Mons prison. Archive material, preserved fragments—letters, photographs, handwritten notes, embroidery and other objects serve as testimony to their experiences, while offering a broader perspective on confinement.  Until 11 May 2026, Boulevard de Dolez

The 16th-century Ooidonk Castle is little known, hidden behind dense foliage on a rural road in East Flanders. Even less known is the Goed Te Réables, the farmhouses down the street once associated with the castle. The 17th-century buildings and grounds are an idyllic setting for Ooidonk Art Festival, where more than 40 contemporary artists have created in situ installations. There is also a pop up bar (pictured) and restaurant. The castle itself offers guided tours at weekends, also by reservation. Until 31 August Thursday to Sunday & public holidays, Ooidonkdreef 5, Deinze

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

Photos: (main image) ©Foire de Midi;  ©Visit.brussels; Design Museum/Baucher-Ferron; ©Atelier Boch-Keramis, Charles Catteau, KBF/Claire De Pauw and Marcel Stalcourtesy Gentse Feesten; courtesy Sfinks; courtesy Francofolies; Carte postale de la prison de Mons ©Collection des Montois Cayaux; courtesy Ooidonk Art Festival