What’s on this week: 4 to 10 July

Brussels seasonal event Summer Wonders boasts a lively programme of cultural activities, afterwork events and sports activities all summer long. Serving as an umbrella event for a raft of festivals, including the new open-air event Quai d’Été and the Brussels Dance Festival (BDF), it is organised by the Brussels Major Events (BME) team that stages the Winter Wonders seasonal festivities among other activities in the capital. Until 30 September, across Brussels

Brussels’ annual medieval extravaganza Ommegang wraps up on Friday with its final re-enactment of Charles V’s triumphant entry into Brussels in 1549. The show in the Grand Place comes complete with 1,400 costumed performers and of course the emperor himself. Recreating life in the Middle Ages, it showcases some outstanding equestrian, juggling and stilt-walking displays. Tickets for the grandstand are sold out, but you can join the throngs for the procession and soak up the atmosphere. 4 July 21.00, Grand Place

In addition to its habitual screenings, the Palace cinema presents the special summer programme Sun Screens. Divided into five categories: Must See, Unreleased, Classics, Events and Reruns, the selection explores four themes: Girl gangs; Youth and eternal beauty; American dream; and a Akira Kurosawa cycle. The festival kicks off on Friday with the cult black comedy Death Becomes Her by Robert Zemeckis. Other upcoming highlights include the Korean film Parasite and Tarantino’s Django Unchained. 4 July to 17 August, Boulevard d’Anspach 85

Les Escales Estivales stages a world, folk or country music concert at Escale du Nord cultural centre in Anderlecht every Thursday evening. Brussels band Tropicant performs vibrant Latin-urban fusion on 10 July in the urban paradise setting. A bar is open for the evening and food is provided by the Projet Yazan collective. Until 28 August, Thursdays 18.00-22.00 (concert at 19.00), Rue du Chapelain 1 (Anderlecht)

Autoworld’s big summer exhibition takes car enthusiasts on a journey to the Land of the Rising Sun: Japan. Exploring the Asian country’s tradition for manufacturing and design with futuristic technology, Big in Japan traces its automotive history through historic cars, sports and supercars and racing cars. The museum also hosts its Cars & Coffee event on 12 July (10.00-14.00) with a fine display of Japanese cars in the Esplanade. Until 31 August, Cinquantenaire Park 11

Visitors to Bozar’s main hall this summer will be welcomed by what resembles a giant, painted cardboard merry-go-round. Its creator is German artist Michael Beutler (1976), known for his large-scale, playful and sustainably-sourced wood, paper or cardboard works. Even better, go inside and sit on one of the eight-metre-high carousel’s wooden seats and wait for it to rotate. “Bozar Monumental harks back to architect Victor Horta’s original vision for our central hall: a space for monumental sculpture,” says Bozar director Christophe Slagmuylder, adding that the installation invites visitors “to linger a little longer”. Until 31 August, Rue Ravenstein 23

Congolese national hero Patrice Lumumba is honoured in an exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of his birth. The Centre Culturel Congolais presents Lumumba – 100 ans in collaboration with the City of Brussels, nonprofit Cause and the Lumumba library. It showcases works by five young Congolese artists from the Académie des Beaux-Arts de Kinshasa who present the challenges and realities of contemporary Congolese life. Until 30 July, Boulevard Poincaré 77

Brosella festival kicks off early this year with a performance by Mayra Andrade on Friday evening. The convivial family-friendly event then offers a diverse mix of urban ethno (Saturday) and jazz (Sunday). 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, Atomium, Brussels

Music festivals are not the only big, open-air events in a Belgian summer. Bruxellons! presents French-language theatre – both original and translated productions – at the lovely Karreveld Castle in Molenbeek. There are all kinds of shows, from monologues to dramas to comedies, but the highlight this year is not one but two musical comedies: Rebecca (9 July-30 August), inspired by Daphne du Maurier’s romance Hitchcock’s film and Good-bye Norma Jean (24 August-23 September) that delves into the life of Marilyn Monroe. 9 July to 27 September, Avenue Jean de la Hoese 32 (Molenbeek-Saint-Jean)

A new, large-scale mural By the Canal joins Brussels’ Parcours Street Art. Its symbolic location straddles two territories: Haren, which merged with the City of Brussels in 1921, and Vilvoorde, a town located in the Flemish region. The installation by Nadège Dauvergne marks the 70th anniversary of the creation of the Buda Bridge in the industrial zone on the outskirts of the city. She was inspired by Belgian artist Jean-Baptiste Van Moer’s painting Magasin près du Moulin Saint-Michel, one of his many depictions of the canal and the districts that disappeared during the vaulting of the river Senne. Chaussée de Buda 96 (Haren)

Americans in Belgium and friends come together to celebrate their Independence Day with a festive evening of barbecue, music and family fun. Hosted by the @seven International Community in partnership with Democrats Abroad Belgium and supported by the American Club of Brussels, the party takes place on the scenic terrace of the David Lloyd Uccle health club (or indoors in case of rain). Reservations via partyfinder.com. 5 July 17.30-23.45, Drève de Lorraine 41 (Uccle)

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Forest Therapy is the practice of slowing down, awakening the senses and reconnecting with ourselves and with nature. Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing), it is a science-based framework which supports physical, mental and spiritual health and wellbeing. The practice also holds space for healing and nourishing experiences to arise. Certified forest therapy guide, George Biesmans, is leading three Forest Therapy walks in the Tervuren Arboretum this month. They are free and donations are welcome. Click here to find out more and sign up. 5 July 8.30-11.30, 9 & 11 July, 18.00-21.00, Tervuren

Extra tickets have gone on sale for some of the big names appearing at Gent Jazz this year. They include Herbie Hancock (4 July), Bonnie Raitt (5 July), The Roots (6 July) and Max Richter (8 & 9 July). One of the sell-out acts is US songstress Norah Jones on 14 July. The festival and its two stages are sited in the garden of the historical Bijloke campus, just a 15-minute walk from the train station. 4-19 July, Godshuizenlaan 2, Ghent

The fun never stops at Rampage Open Air, “the biggest drum&bass and dubstep festival in the universe” with literally hundreds of DJs and performers, including Becky Hill on Friday evening. Rampage stands out for its amusement park rides, body painting and the biggest skate ramp in Europe. Those who choose to camp have really got it made: aside from two extra stages of music, there are three swimming pools, a barbecue zone and open-air cinema. Note: the festival is cashless. 3-6 July, Kristalpark, Balendijk, Lommel (Limburg)

The annual outdoor theatre romp at Villers Abbey presents La Belle et la Bête in an adaptation of the popular tale based on the original 1740 work by Gabrielle-Suzanne de Villeneuve. For the outdoor promenade performance, the atmospheric ruins of the Cistercian site are transformed into a magical castle. If weather conditions are unfavourable, the show is postponed to a later date. 11 July to 10 August 21.00, Rue de l’Abbaye 55, Villers-la-ville (Walloon Brabant)

Final tickets are one sale for the number one rendezvous for fans of rap and hip-hop, Les Ardentes in Liége. The biggest urban music festival in Europe hosts 150 artists on five stages, mixing international stars and francophone headliners with emerging artists. DJ David Guetta takes to the stage on Thursday evening, along with Damso, Laylow, Vald and Kaaris. Canadian PartyNextDoor lead the musical charge on Friday and American Young Thug on Saturday and J Balvin on Sunday. A large, separate campsite awaits festival-goers. 3-6 July, Rue de l’Arbre Courte-Joie, Rocourt (Liège)

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

Photos: (main image) City of Brussels; courtesy Ommegang; courtesy Bozar/Michael Beutler; courtesy Brosella; courtesy Bruxellons; Nadège Dauvergne ©Julescésure; Villers abbey deldiffusion; courtesy Les Ardentes