Here are some suggestions from our volunteers re what to do in Brussels: let us know if you want to organise an outing! 

United Nations Cinema (Every month)

The events offer the opportunity for participants to watch premieres of highly acclaimed, award- winning documentaries and engage in interactive discussions with senior UN officials and other personalities. Giving the public a chance to start a conversation concerning important globalissues also raises awareness of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Free entry but reservation needed.

Musées royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique (Monthly)

The museums offer the opportunity to its visitors of engaging in a changing range of activities every month apart from its outstanding new temporary expositions. 

Price: 10 Euros

Royal Greenhouses of Laeken (c. April to May)

Every spring, the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken are open to the public for 3 weeks. It is an excellent opportunity to see the wonderful architecture of Alphonse Balat, the mentor of Victor Horta, and the many plants in the greenhouses.

Price: 2,50 Euros

The Queen Elisabeth Competition (c.April to May)

This edition of the Queen Elisabeth competition will gather some of the world’s most promising violinists. This competition is open for musicians who have completed their training and who are ready to embark upon an international career. A unique opportunity for those interested on following the latest trends in classical music.

Price: 15 Euros

International Film Festival (June)

Brussels International Film Festival at Bozar, Flagey, Cinéma UGC, Cinéma Vendome, Palace, and Cinéma des Galeries. The event will as well include evening open-air screenings along Boulevard Ansbach and at the Mont des Arts, thus offering an urban and cinematographic experience to the festival goers.

Price: 10 Euros

Battle of Waterloo Re-enactments (June)

The historic Battle of Waterloo is re-enacted on the field of Waterloo where the original conflict took place in 1815. Visitors from across the world head for the iconic battlefield to witness unforgettable reprisals of the battle. This historical weekend runs on 22–23  June 2019.

Ommegang Festival, Brussels (June)

Some 1400 participants bedecked in dazzling historical costumes re-enact the first official visit of Charles V and his heir, his infant son Philip (the future Philip II of Spain) here in the capital of the Low Countries.. Tiered stands are set up in and around the Grand Place to witness this historic festival that includes jousting and flag processions. In 2019, this will take place on 26 and 28 June.

Price varies: from 42 Euros

Summer in Leuven (12 July - 11 August 2019)

'Summer in Leuven' has become an annual tradition, with summer nights full of music.  Mouth watering food and drinks.  Movies in surprising outdoor locations.

Belgian National Day (21 July) 

July 21st is the Belgian National Holiday. Every year between the Parc de Bruxelles (Warandepark) and the Place Poelaert, numerous activities and free parades take place, including the military and civil parade, sports courses, concerts, performances, military tanks and aircraft, a police village, a European village, activities for children (Parc de Bruxelles).

Free parades 

Brussels Flower Carpet (August)

Every two years in mid-August, the Grand Place in Brussels comes alive with the color of more than half a million begonias made into a Flower Carpet  This extraordinary spectacle is made complete by a visit to the balcony of the Town Hall, which offers a wide-angle view of the work. A musical theme is especially composed for each edition and a concert is given every evening and accompanies a magnificent sound-and-light show. In 2019, the Brussels Flower Carpet will be held from 14–18 August.

Visual Science of Art Conference in Leuven (21-24 Aug)

Want to come here and enjoy the talks, exhibitions and activities?  The Visual Science of Art Conference (VSAC) was established in 2012 by Baingio Pinna in Alghero, Italy.  Its main focus is to better connect the communities of visual scientists and artists in order to deepen our understanding of aesthetic phenomena.  The VSAC is an ideal venue to debate and collaborate on all topics associated with the perception and evaluation of artworks.

Register soon and see you 21-24 August!  

Brussels Museums Nocturnes (Thursdays Sept to Dec)

What about letting the Brussels Museums Nocturnes turn your autumn evenings into something memorable?  73 Museums in Brussels invite you to discover them in a novel way and at a really good price.  Every Thursday evening from 5pm to 10pm Sept-Dec, you can head off and visit at least 5 museums in order to explore a Brussels of unexpected districts, treasures and charms.  New exhibitions, workshops, music, food & drink, unique guided tours and much more besides promise to soften the first signs of winter.

Christmas Markets (Plaisirs d'Hiver) End November - mid January

The Winter Wonders event takes place before and during the Christmas holidays, at the Grand-Place in Brussels and around the Bourse, the Place de la Monnaie, the Place Sainte-Catherine and the Marché aux Poissons. Winter Wonders includes:

• a Christmas market with more than 200 chalets
• fairground attractions (Ferris wheel, merry-go-rounds,...)
• a covered ice rink for skating (Place de la Monnaie)
• a Christmas tree and sound and light show on the Grand-Place. 

Other useful links: 

Expats in Brussels

The Brussels Times