What’s on this week: 24 to 30 October

It’s all Latino Halloween vibes in the Marolles with Día de Muertos providing grinning skulls, colourful costumes, parades, themed workshops and talks and concerts. There’s plenty of kids and family activities to keep los niños entertained as well as older revellers. Don’t miss a Mexican music workshop on Friday evening, two performances of Feu les animaux for all ages (6+), pictured, on Saturday and the finale grand parade on Sunday evening that leaves from Place du Jeu de Balles at 19.00, followed by a surprise concert. 27 October to 1 November, across the Marolles

Every Halloween, the Museum of Fantastic and the Center of Fantastic Art is transformed into a scary house. This is a perfect opportunity to explore its unusual collection via puzzles to solve and a witchcraft certificate to earn. The museum’s Mini-Golf Halloween joins in the fun. Dscover this atypical mini-golf course and travel along an 18-hole course strewn with pitfalls. Golf: daily 18 October to 2 November; Halloween activities: Until 3 November, 14.00-17.00 (last entry 16.00), special entrance times on 31 October & 1 November, Rue Américaine 7 (Saint-Gilles)

The Huberty & Breyne gallery hosts an intimate concert by British contemporary jazz musician Iain Ballamy (saxophone) and internationally renowned multidisciplinary artist Dave Mckean (piano). It’s a multimedia performance blending musical improvisation and the visual world, part of the closing celebration for McKean’s exhibition at the gallery, Thalamus. 24 October 19.00, Place du Châtelain 33 (Ixelles)

Bozar’s Sufi Night is an annual celebration of the mystical and poetic traditions of Sufism, and this year Istanbul Sufi Ceremonies Ensemble (pictured) and Brussels-based ensemble Jawa take to the stage. With its roots in Syria, Jawa is committed to preserving and performing the traditional Sufi experience after the devastating war in the Middle Eastern country. The ensemble performs traditional Sufi songs from Aleppo, complete with a whirling dervish.  25 October 20.00, Rue Ravenstein 23

Get your geek on at Comic Con Brussels at Tour & Taxis this weekend. The pop culture celebration boasts a massive line-up of star guests and comic artists, including Ewan McGregor (Star Wars Episode 1), Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future trilogy) and Jamie Campbell Bower (Stranger Things). As ever, the Geek Market will prove a major attraction with an even bigger offer of collectibles, cards, games, vintage toys, clothing and more. Among the entertainment specials are a cosplay catwalk parade, back to the 90s party, robots vs wrestling competition, free retro-gaming and workshops. Perfect your cosplay and book your place now! 25-26 October, Avenue du Port 86C

The itinerant and pan-African Festival International du Film de Bruxelles (FIFB) returns to the Belgian capital for its 10th edition. After last year’s event in Dakar, the celebration of African and international cinema proposes 27 films from 26 countries. The programme includes three competitions, tributes to Balodji, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah in the opening gala evening (pictured), in addition to the usual film-lovers’ events and encounters. 28 October to 1 November, White Cinema Docks, Boulevard Lambermont 1 (Schaerbeek)

The flagship for LGBTQ+ cinema in the capital, Pink Screens, explores love, joy, pain and pleasure in queer lives in a rich programme of Belgian and international features and short films. This 24th edition also includes a Queer Latitudes focus that shows the inner conflicts of people whose identities and sensibilities straddle two or more spaces and times. A collaboration with Europalia Spain offers two screenings of La Miseriosa Mirada del Flamenca (pictured) by Chilean Diego Céspedes, who immerses audiences in a community of trans women and transvestites who are running a bar. For the first time, the festival ventures beyond the capital for screenings at the Sauvenière cinema in Liège, the Plaza in Mons and the Sphinx in Ghent. 31 October to 9 November, across Brussels, Liège, Mons, Ghent

The acclaimed exhibition ICONS approaches the end of its run in Brussels. One of the most comprehensive retrospectives of the acclaimed US photographer Steve McCurry, the show features over 100 large-format photographs from the past 40 years of his career, including captivating images from around the world. McCurry himself shares insights in an audio guide. Until 2 November, Grand Place 5

Book now The Botanique live music hub is warming up its mini festival Les Nuits Weekender. A single ticket gives you access to more than 30 artists on three stages over three days, promising an intense and eclectic experience. The opening night provides a taster with the innovative performance Seismic by Maria W Horn & the Ictus Ensemble. At the intersection of sound, movement and visual art, it promises a singular immersive experience. 31 October to 2 November, Rue de la Regence 236 (Saint-Josse)

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

As part of Europalia Spain’s Belgium-wide arts festival, renowned Spanish theatre collective El Conde de Torrefiel runs a free audio walk in Ghent's oldest cemetery. Cuerpos Celestes (Celestial Bodies) dramatises the public space of the cemetery with an eclectic narrative reflecting on the eternal question: What happens after our journey through the world? The event is a co-production with NTGent in collaboration with GUM. 25-26 October, Zuiderbegraafplaats, Ottergemsesteenweg 254, Ghent

Cutting-edge special effects, panoramic video mapping and an illusion-filled show are some of the highlights of Héléween at Château Helecine. The 90-minute immersive experience, complete with spooky atmosphere, tells the story of an orphan with a crystal voice who became the terrible banshee haunting the former Heylissen Abbey. It comes courtesy of internationally-renowned Belgian collective Drop the Spoon. Not only is the heritage site a magnificent setting for the scary season, the holoquatic concerts in the middle of the lake provide surprise and enthralling entertainment. Refreshments available throughout the site. Until 2 November, Rue Armand Dewolf 2, Hélécine (Walloon Brabant)

For an alternative Halloween experience that’s supernatural and imaginary, discover the galaxy of stars in the night sky during the Euro Space Center’s Les Féeries Nocturnes. The Moon will reveal its secrets via poetic and artistic performances – from illuminated jugglers and dancers to contortionists and magicians – as well as interactive workshops and the immersive spectacle Show me to the Moon. Tickets: €30 per person. 28 October, 18.30-23.30, Devant les Hêtres 1, Transinne (Luxembourg province)

The KIKK Festival in Namur has kicked off for four packed days showcasing new creative technologies. An international reference for digital culture, the 14th edition explores the musicality of the world and society in Boom boom tchak, a dual programme for pros and public, including conferences, workshops, a demo market and kids’ activities. The city-wide art trail (KIKK in Town) is a festival highlight: an immersion into cutting-edge digital art with astounding installations exploring AI, VR and other technologies (pictured). Importantly, it is suitable for children and people with reduced mobility. 23-26 October, Place d’Armes (market), Théâtre de Namur, Le Delta, Galerie Beffroi, Le Pavillon and other venues

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

Photos: (main image) Istanbul Sufi Ceremonies Ensemble ©All rights reserved; Boys play with hoops. Morondava, Madagascar, 2019 ©Steve McCurry; Seismic ©Nasa; Ghent cemetery (Europalia Spain) ©Lorenza Daverio; Musée Rops