What’s on this week: 27 June to 3 July

Sit back, relax and catch an outdoor movie thanks to Bruxelles fait son cinema. Bringing films to larger audiences in neighbourhoods now deserted by movie theatres, it offers free screenings of quality films with a Mediterranean flavour in 15 locations. The 25th edition kicks off on 27 June with Le comte de Monte-Cristo by M Delaporte & A De La Patellière (Fr 2024) in the gardens of Abbaye de la Cambre. The festival is accompanied by a friendly atmosphere and Mediterranean-themed drinks and snacks. Screenings start at the onset of darkness. 27 June to 15 July, from 21.00, 15 locations around the city 

Poland celebrates the end of its EU Council presidency by inviting the public to a Polish Day in Cinquantenaire Park on Saturday. The largest ever event dedicated to the country and its diaspora is filled with cultural activities, including music, dance and interactive games. Poland’s culinary delights are also on the menu. The party kicks off on Friday evening with an outdoor screening of the history film The Peasants from 20.00-21.30. 28 June 10.00-22.00, Cinquntenaire Park

Couleur Café is a determinedly urban music festival, despite its green setting at the foot of the Atomium. With three stages, including the famous Verdure theatre, the atmosphere is famously chill. On the music front, there’s an African vibe – spreading to the continent’s diaspora – with Burning Spear, Groundation, Nathy Peluso, Denzel Curry and Little Simz, among others. It is also necessary to give a shout out to the festival’s excellent and tasty world cuisine. Note: Saturday tickets already sold out. 27-29 June, Osseghem Park (Laeken)

Brussels-based youth collective Echoes stages its first exhibition at the House of European History,  Raising our roots - Brussels through eleven people. The free audiovisual show recreates the city's atmosphere, from its metro to its parks and homes, while exploring different stories about migration and representations in history. It is a topic that is particularly relevant for the curatorial group, which is made up of 13 local youngsters, aged 18 to 26, and from different neighbourhoods in the capital.  27 June to 31 October, Rue Beliard 135

“Take time to reflect on centuries past,” invite Australian researcher and artist Kate Crawford (1974) and Serbian academic and artist VIadan Joler (1977) in ‘Calculating Empires’. This mesmerising 23-metre installation in the Villa Empain’s bucolic garden shows how technological power evolved from Roman times to AI. The free Boghossian Foundation International Prize exhibition also honours the beautiful teak work of Belgian-Congolese designer Kim Mupangilaï (1989) like ‘Bina Chair’, blending Art Nouveau and Congolese influences; and intricate gold jewellery of Italian artist Joy Harvey (1993), whose work including ‘Flower wreath’ challenges traditional ideas of beauty. Until 17 August, Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 67 (Ixelles)

The European Parliament’s lunchtime literary gathering in the Citizens’ Garden kicks off.  Summer Readings invites six authors from different countries to read extracts from their texts and discuss them with the audience. Works focus on contemporary societal issues in Europe. The authors schedule are: Paul Lynch, Michaela Mihokova, Anna Shevchenko, Yoram Lecker and Emma Braslavsky. 1-3 & 8-10 July 12.30-13.30, Rue Vautier 68

For Brussels Renaissance Festival, the Porte de Hal is bedecked with period decor on Sunday. Included in the entrance tickets are a short guided tour and a creative workshop for children aged five to 10. 29 June 14.00-16.00, Porte de Hal

Summer classical music stalwart Midis-Minimes returns for its weekly serving of short lunchtime concerts at affordable prices. The programme kicks off in the Sablon with Fauré’s Requiem performed by the Choeur de la Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles on 1 July, moves to the Cercle Royal Gaulois for a concert by the Trio Arnold (pictured) on 2 July and continues in the two venues all season, except for two recitals in Palais d’Egmont. In additional to the accessibility, the big appeal of the festival is its varied programme. 1 July to 29 August, Eglise Notre-Dame des Victoires au Sablon, Cercle Royal Gaulois, Palais Egmont

Charity concert EU Lawyers for Ukraine II invites Dmytro Udovychenko, winner of the 2024 Queen Elisabeth Violin Competition, to perform with the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of David Navarro-Turres. The event is raising funds for medical and childcare projects in Ukraine, an initiative that unites the EU legal and economic communities of Brussels. 2 July 20.00, NOVUM (ex-Théâtre Saint-Michel), Rue Père Devroye 2 (Etterbeek)

Brussels’ Kanal District hosts the first edition of new open-air event Quai d’Été. The City of Brussels initiative is aimed at offering city dwellers a summer staycation with an urban oasis vibe. All of the quayside activities are free and focused on "sports and  relaxation, except for The Boat, a floating dancefloor with space for 150 partygoers that sets sail twice a day with DJs on board (tickets €15.60). Otherwise, during the day, there are deckchairs, free children's entertainment and activities such as mini golf, pétanque, trampolines and urban tennis. Lounge areas and live DJ sets ensure a cool-down mood for the evening. On the refreshment front, a bar proposes a non-stop food and drink menu. 3 to 13 July, Quai des Peniches

Summertime is silly season and Brussels in Pink promenade art tour by Philippe Katerine offers some 12 large-scale sculptures in the form of his emblematic character Monsieur Rose. Dotted around the city centre shopping district, including Galeries Ravenstein, Grand Place and Rue Haute, they are examples of the actor and visual artist’s Mignonism. Although this translates as cute-ism, Katherine injects a darker edge into his creations. The trail is part of Brussels’ Enjoy the City initiative. 3 July to 30 September, city centre

Cinquantenaire Park comes alive with the biggest names in BMX Freestyle at Brussels’ Urban Sessions. The free lifestyle and action sport events sets up in the central location after a first edition at Josaphat in Schaerbeek last summer. The highlight is the BMX action with world champions and Olympic medallists, while side events include parkour, skateboarding and 3x3 basketball.  4-6 July, Cinquantenaire Park

The Botanique contemporary art space is showing a highly original and pertinent project exploring climate issues by French visual artist Pierre Jean Giloux. Biomimetic Stories Part II is a new cycle of augmented reality fictional films set in four Indian cities. Positioned at the crossroads of documentary and science fiction, they imagine the unprecedented connections that could emerge in the near future between cities, nature and biotechnology. Until 17 August, Rue Royale 236

An enchanting festival with an exciting international line-up, Brosella is one of Brussels’ most convivial and family-friendly live music events. Set in the shadow of the iconic Atomium, the festival kicks off early this year on Thursday evening with a performance by Mayra Andrade. The immersive experience then offers a diverse mix of urban ethno (Saturday) and jazz (Sunday). Salif Keïta, Gabriel Ríos, Mandé Sila featuring Habib Koité, among others deliver world music, while the jazz component is provided by Jaga Jazzist, Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few and Stéphane Galland & The Rhythm Hunters XTNDD, among others. DJ sets, a kids village, workshops and local and sustainable food all add to the festival vibe. Ticketing is based on the ‘pay-what-you-can’ system with two day tickets at a suggested €35. 4-7 July, Osseghem Park, Heysel (Laeken)

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Immerse yourself in the action of the history-changing 1815 Battle of Waterloo this weekend. To celebrate the 210th anniversary, visitors are invited to the biggest battle reenactment since 2015. relive the atmosphere of many of its most famous skirmishes with some 2,000 soldiers, 100 horses and 25 canons recreating epic scenes. A bivouac (included in entrance tickets) and a civilian village (free of charge) are also set up at Hougoumont farm. 28-29 June, Memorial centre, Lion’s Mound, Hougoumont Farm, Braine l’Alleud (Walloon Brabant)

Antwerp’s annual summer entertainment programme is already underway with parks and urban open spaces serving as venues for street theatre, circus acts and open-air cinema. The Zomer van Antwerpen arts festival also offers daily parties at the port city’s biggest graffiti space where you can drink cocktails under trees and catch some summer sounds at the Zomerbar (Minkelersstraat). A street art museum runs all summer and a music programme is staged in various neighbourhoods of the city. Some things require a ticket, but most of it is free of charge. Until 31 August, across Antwerp

A solo exhibition by the internationally celebrated artist David Claerbout (born 1969) premieres at Gaasbeek Castle. At the window features his latest creation The Woodcarver and the Forest. In addition to this new film, an ensemble of works by Claerbout are integrated into the historic rooms of the castle. They propose a new look at the collection and architecture of the heritage site as a reflection on the relationship between culture and nature. From 27 June, Kasteelstraat 40, Gaasbeek (Flemish Brabant)

Mons’ iconic offbeat summer event Festival au Carré transforms the Hainaut capital into a colourful hub of creativity with concerts, dance, theatre, circus, screenings, talks and walks. The eclectic programme incudes a zany brass band in the Grand Place and in addition to some outstanding theatrical performances, a Mons street party is added to the fun mix. New this year, is the addition of the Jardin du Mayeur, off the main square, as an atmospheric venue hosting an artistic guinguette (pictured). 27 June to 12 July, across Mons

Billed as Belgium’s most ecological music festival, Paradise City has a full seven stages giving you lots of space to explore and dance to the massive programme of electronic music. For its 10th edition, Laurent Garnier, Orbital and Jeff Mills are among the line-up. Food is locally sourced, the energy is green and free tap water cuts down on plastic at the festival located in the picturesque grounds of Ribaucourt Castle in Perk, just outside Brussels. Special night trains, free shuttles and share ride options make transport a breeze. 27-29 June, Kasteelhoekstraat 1, Steenokkerzeel

The 62nd edition of the Festival Musical de Namur shares the Festivals de Wallonie theme Curiosités in its programme of 14 concerts. Staged at Namur Concert Hall and the baroque Eglise Saint-Loup, the event debuts with The Tallis Scholars (pictured), includes a performance by Queen Elisabeth Competition 2025 winners Nikola Meeuwsen and Wataru Hisasue, and Cappella Mediterranea under the direction of Leonardo Garcia Alarcon in the opera L’Incoronazione de Poppea. Vivaldi’s Four seasons features in concert and dance form and Cindy Castillo performs music by JS Bach at Saint-Loup. 27 June to 12 July, Namur Concert Hall (Rue Rogier) & Eglise Saint-Loup (Rue du Collège), Namur

The Belfort as Storyteller (Het Belfort Vertelt) is a free light show experience in the city’s main square. Through sound and visual projections, visitors can discover the rich history of the city as well as Flanders. The city’s belfry has witnessed eight centuries of eventful periods, from Bruges’ economic prosperity as a city of merchants to war and suffering and a succession of monarchs. 1-11 July 22.30 & 23.00, Grote Markt

The historic town of  Bouillon, set close to the French border in the province of Luxembourg, is the stage for the fifth edition of Art Public. The one-hour open-air art trail invites visitors to rediscover this jewel of the Ardennes through an artistic lens. Some 15 contemporary artworks are integrated into the town’s medieval scenery for a dialogue showcasing heritage and creation. Pictured: Le jardin sans soleil by Marie Zolamian. 29 June to 21 September, Bouillon (Luxembourg province)

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

Photos: (main image) Bruxelles fait son cinéma ©Pierre Wachholder; Couleur Café; Villa Empain/Boghossian Foundation; Trio Arnold Photo Neva Navaee; Quai des peniches ©Visit.brussels/Jean-Paul Remy; ©Brussels Urban Sessions - Adrien Delforge; Botanique ©Gregory Thirion; WBT - Didier Brancart-Commemoration The Battle of Waterloo; The Tallis Scholars ©Hugo Glendinning; Le jardin sans soleil ©Marie Zolamian