Belgian Tourist Office - official website

January 2007	Place	Events
1	Public Holiday	New Year’s Day
All month	Ostend	ENSOR AND THE AVANT-GARDE BY THE SEA:The coast has always been a strong attraction for artists. This exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in James Ensor's hometown emphasizes this aspect.
All month	Brussels	MASTERS OF PRE-COLUMBIAN ART: The 350 works from the Paul and Dora Janssen collection of pre-Columbian art tell the story of 3000 years of pre-Columbian history. On show at the Royal Museums of Art and History. The museum will also include fifty key pre-Columbian pieces from their own collections.
All month	Brussels	RETROSPECTIVE LEON SPILLIAERT: Sixty years after his death the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels focuss atttention on the original and extensive oeuvre of Leon Spilliaert. More than 300 works illustrate his stylistic diversity and the range of subject matter he covered. For more information contact the museum.
10	Brussels	100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF TINTIN CREATOR HERGE: Belgium will mark the birth of Tintin's creator Herge (Georges Remi, or RG) with a Tintin fresco greeting visitors arriving at Brussels South station. The unveiling of the fresco will take place on January 10, 2007 to coincide with the official 'birth' day of Tintin, in 1029 in the paper Le Petit Vingtieme.
19-28	Brussels	52nd ANTIQUE FAIR: Combining quality with prestige, this superb antiques fair is a must for art lovers. The fair is held at the “Tour & Taxis” site which is a wonderful example of Belgian industrial heritage. The show attracts antiquities, Oceanic art, African art, Oriental art, silver, furniture and works of art from the ‘Haute Epoque’ to the 20th century.

February 2007	Place	Events
All month	Brussels	MASTERS OF PRE-COLUMBIAN ART: The 350 works from the Paul and Dora Janssen collection of pre-Columbian art tell the story of 3000 years of pre-Columbian history. On show at the Royal Museums of Art and History. The museum will also include fifty key pre-Columbian pieces from their own collections.
1-3	Brussels	RETROSPECTIVE LEON SPILLIAERT: Sixty years after his death the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels focus atttention on the original and extensive oeuvre of Leon Spilliaert. More than 300 works illustrate his stylistic diversity and the range of subject matter he covered. For more information contact the museum.
1-25	Ostend	ENSOR AND THE AVANT-GARDE BY THE SEA:The coast has always been a strong attraction for artists. This exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in James Ensor's hometown emphasizes this aspect.
18-20	Binche	CARNIVAL OF BINCHE: This world famous Carnival, now on the UNESCO heritage list, dates back to the 16th century. The colorful celebration attracts thousands of visitors and is highlighted by ‘Mardi Gras’, an event not to be missed. See also the UNESCO website and for additional information: info@carnavaldebinche.be

March 2007	Place	Events
All month	Brussels	MASTERS OF PRE-COLUMBIAN ART: The 350 works from the Paul and Dora Janssen collection of pre-Columbian art tell the story of 3000 years of pre-Columbian history. On show at the Royal Museums of Art and History. The museum will also include fifty key pre-Columbian pieces from their own collections.
3-30	Antwerp	PRAYERS AND PORTRAITS: Don't miss this show at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts (KMSKA) in Antwerp. The temporary reunion of Jean Fouquet's "Chevalier diptych" will be one of the highlights of this exhibition.
9-24	Brussels	ARS MUSICA: Also known as "the spring of contemporary music", the Ars Musica festival has carved out a reputation as a real reference event for contemporary music. Every year, the festival brings together works by composers who are writing the sounds and scores of tomorrow.
17-19	Stavelot	MID LENT CARNIVAL: The Blancs Moussis festivities and parade. A particularly joyful experience is the tossing of confetti by the ton at virtually anything that moves; motorized cannons shoot confetti at the crowds and with skillful aim also target second floor flats along the parade route. Monthly newsletter available here.
22-30	Brussels	EURANTICA: The 26th Eurantica Brussels, with its 150 antique dealers and gallery owners, a show not to be missed!

April 2007	Place	Events
8	Public Holiday	Easter Sunday
9	Public Holiday	Easter Monday
All month	Antwerp	PRAYERS AND PORTRAITS: Don't miss this show at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts (KMSKA) of Antwerp. The temporary reunion of Jean Fouquet's "Chevalier diptych" will be one of the highlights of this exhibition.
1	Brussels	EURANTICA: The 25th Eurantica Brussels, with its 150 antique dealers and gallery owners, a show not to be missed!
1-29	Brussels	MASTERS OF PRE-COLUMBIAN ART: The 350 works from the Paul and Dora Janssen collection of pre-Columbian art tell the story of 3000 years of pre-Columbian history. On show at the Royal Museums of Art and History. The museum will also include fifty key pre-Columbian pieces from their own collections.
5-17	Brussels	FESTIVAL OF THE FANTASTIC FILM: A delight for lovers of thrillers and science fiction films.
6	Tournai	FLOWER MARKET: Spring is a perfect time to visit Tournai and its treasures. Visit the Belfry and the Tapestry Museum. If you plan to visit Tournai check their website.
6-10	Bruges	CHOCO-LATE: the Bruges Chocolate Festival.The city’s bakers, chocolate makers and the Bruges Chocolate Museum in co-operation with the hospitality sector and the city of Bruges are the organizers behind this unique chocolate fair for consumers.
18-30	Brussels	ROYAL GREENHOUSES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: Each year for a very short period of time the Greenhouses of the Royal Palace at Laeken are open to the public.
19-23	Brussels	ART BRUSSELS: Inviting over a hundred art galleries to exhibit the work of their "protégés", Art Brussels presents the latest trend in contemporary art.

May 2007	Place	Events
1	Public Holiday	Labor Day
17	Public Holiday	Ascension Day
27	Public Holiday	Whit Sunday
28	Public Holiday	Whit Monday
May thru November	Flanders	THE FESTIVAL OF FLANDERS: Over 100 concerts of world class quality are held in the medieval atmosphere of abbeys, cathedrals and City Halls throughout Flanders.
1-6	Brussels	ROYAL GREENHOUSES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: Each year for a very short period of time the Greenhouses of the Royal Palace at Laeken are open to the public.
1-27	Antwerp	PRAYERS AND PORTRAITS: Don't miss this show at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts (KMSKA) of Antwerp. The temporary reunion of Jean Fouquet's "Chevalier diptych" will be one of the highlights of this exhibition.
4-26	Brussels	KunstenFESTIVALdesArts: Theatre, music, dance, film, visual arts and all their imaginable combinations. A resolutely forward-looking festival.
4-14	Brussels	LES NUITS BOTANIQUE: Reggae, French songs, electro and rock are interwoven throughout the festival, held at the Botanique, the cultural Center of the French speaking community. For tickets: info@botanique.be
13	Ieper	CAT FESTIVAL: Join all feline lovers at the famous festival in the historic city of Ieper. Please note it is the annual Cat Festival not the Cat Parade. Next date for the Cat Parade: 2009 For more information contact: toerisme@ieper.be
17	Bruges	PROCESSION OF THE HOLY BLOOD: One of the oldest and most beautiful historical and religious processions in continental Europe. Seats must be reserved well in advance. Tel: 011 3250/44.86.86 For information on visiting Bruges consult their website.
17-20	Namur	ANNUAL STREET FAIR: During five days Namur is hosting a huge street fair. Carousels, street theaters, cabarets and fun activities for the whole family abound. Contact: info@artsforain.com
25-27	Brussels	BRUSSELS JAZZ MARATHON WEEKEND: Jazz lovers enjoy their favorite artists in bars and clubs all over the city. Over 350 first-rate musicians perform.
DTA	Brussels	LESBIAN AND GAY PRIDE: Street party, parade and pride shows in Brussels city center.

June 2007	Place	Events
All month	Wallonia	FESTIVAL OF WALLONIA: Prestigious international orchestras and soloists perform in castles, abbeys and churches in the French-speaking part of Belgium. For information email: info@festivaldewallonie.be
3	Mons	PROCESSION OF THE GOLDEN CHARIOT AND BATTLE OF THE LUMECON (St. Georges and the Dragon): The procession commemorates the deliverance of Mons from the plague in 1349. For more details email: ville@ville.mons.be
8-13	Brussels	BRUSSELS ANCIENT ART FAIR: Dealers in classical, Egyptian and Near Eastern antiquities come to Brussels from all over the world to put their treasures on display in leading galleries at the Sablon quarter.
28-30 DTC	Werchter	ROCK FESTIVAL: Internationally famous rock groups perform open-air concerts. The 2006 line up included: The Who, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Depeche Mode, dEUS and Franz Ferdinand.
29-30	Brussels	COULEUR CAFÉ: A highly atmospheric, multicultural music festival on the magnificent Tour & Taxis site. Apart from stage performances, cultures from all over the world come together in the ‘Global Village’, a metropolis of human proportions. Innumerable exotic little restaurants present a taste of each culture.
DTA	Antwerp	ANTWERP ACADEMY FASHION SHOW: This annual fashion show presented by the graduates of the Antwerp Fashion Academy is always an exhilarating event. For information email: mode@ha.be

July 2007	Place	Events
21	Public Holiday	Independence Day
All month	Wallonia	FESTIVAL OF WALLONIA: Prestigious international orchestras and soloists perform in castles, abbeys and churches in the French-speaking part of Belgium. For information email: info@festivaldewallonie.be
1	Brussels	COULEUR CAFÉ: A highly atmospheric, multicultural music festival on the magnificent Tour & Taxis site. Apart from stage performances, cultures from all over the world come together in the ‘Global Village’, a metropolis of human proportions. Innumerable exotic little restaurants present a taste for each culture.
1 DTC	Werchter	ROCK FESTIVAL: Internationally famous rock groups perform open-air concerts. The 2006 line up included: The Who, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Depeche Mode, dEUS and Franz Ferdinand.
3 & 5	Brussels	OMMEGANG PAGEANT: Yearly colorful pageant on Brussels’ Grand’Place commemorates a celebration in honor of Emperor Charles V in the 16th century.
12	Ieper (Area)	90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF PASSENDALE: Commemorations will be held both at the Tyne Cot Cemetery at Passendale and at the Menin Gate in Ieper on July 12th in commemoration of the Battle. The city of Ypres will also remember the unveiling, 80 years ago, of the Menin Gate were every night the last post is played. For details regarding many more ceremonies see here.
12-15	Dour	DOUR MUSIC FESTIVAL: Yearly festival of alternative music. look-out for new bands and new sounds.
14-23	Ghent	GHENT FESTIVITIES: In the traffic-free city center visitors can enjoy a medieval fair with street entertainment and music.
21-31	Brussels	ROYAL PALACE: Open every day, except on Monday from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm – Entrance free.
21-31	Brussels	BRUXELLES LES BAINS: An urban beach scene in Belgium's capital city called the Brussels Spa will unfold along the canal from July 22 to August 22. Visitors can attend concerts, play beach volleyball or other sports and visit shops and restaurants.

August 2007	Place	Events
15	Public Holiday	Assumption Day
All month	Wallonia	FESTIVAL OF WALLONIA: Prestigious international orchestras and soloists perform in castles, abbeys and churches in the French-speaking part of Belgium. For information email: info@festivaldewallonie.be
All month	Brussels	BRUXELLES LES BAINS: An urban beach scene in Belgium's capital city called the Brussels Spa will unfold along the canal from July 22 to August 22. Visitors can attend concerts, play beach volleyball or other sports and visit shops and restaurants.
All month	Brussels	ROYAL PALACE: Open every day, except on Monday from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm – Entrance free.
13-15	Leuven	MARKTROCK: This city festival hosts groups from home and abroad in the heart of this university town. Website
15	Dinant	INTERNATIONAL BATHTUB REGATTA: This hilarious competition on the River Meuse starts in the afternoon. Admission is free. For more information: dinant@maison-du-tourisme.net
25+26	Bruges	PAGEANT OF THE GOLDEN TREE: The five-yearly Pageant of the Golden Tree was introduced to commemorate the marriage of the English Princess Margaret of York to the Count of FLanders, Charles the Bold. On August 25 and 26 at 4 p.m. this colorful parade will once again set off through the streets of Bruges.

September 2007	Place	Events
All month	Wallonia	FESTIVAL OF WALLONIA: Prestigious international orchestras and soloists perform in castles, abbeys and churches in the French-speaking part of Belgium. For information email: info@festivaldewallonie.be
1-2	St. Hubert	INTERNATIONAL HUNT AND NATURE DAY AND HISTORICAL PARADE: Hunting horn bands, blessing of the animals, folklore groups and a parade evoking the life of St. Hubert fill the day in this quaint Ardennes town. For more information on visiting St. Hubert visit their website.
9	Tournai	GRAND HISTORICAL PROCESSION: Historical parade in honor of the Virgin Mary who saved the city from the plague.
1-15	Brussels	ROYAL PALACE: Open every day, except on Monday from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm – Entrance free.
DBA	Brussels	9th BELGIAN BEER WEEKEND: The Belgian Brewers’ association and the ‘Chevalerie du Fourquet des Brasseurs’, in collaboration with the City of Brussels organizes the Belgian Beer Weekend on the Grand’Place.
8 & 9	Wallonia	OPEN MONUMENT DAYS: During two days visitors have the opportunity to discover the cultural heritage of Wallonia. Castles, museums and private homes usually closed to the public will open their doors.
16 & 17	Brussels	OPEN MONUMENT DAYS: Visit historic houses in the capital of Belgium normally closed to the public.
24-30	Brussels	RUBENS EXHIBITION: The Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels host a major exhibit of the works of Peter Paul Rubens.
DTA	Spa Francorchamps	GRAND PRIX OF BELGIUM: For more than five decades the Formula one race is held annually at the spectacular Spa-Francorchamps track.

October 2007	Place	Events
All month	Wallonia	FESTIVAL OF WALLONIA: Prestigious international orchestras and soloists perform in castles, abbeys and churches in the French-speaking part of Belgium. For information email: info@festivaldewallonie.be
All month	Brussels	RUBENS EXHIBITION: The Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels host a major exhibit of the works of Peter Paul Rubens.
9-20	Ghent	INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL OF FLANDERS: An international jury will judge more than 140 films and 30 short movies. For tickets and information about the event visit the website of the festival.
18-30	Bruges	BRUGES-PARIS-ROME: Joseph-Benoît Suvée and neoclassicism in Europe, a show at the Groeninge Museum through January, 2008. To mark the two-hundredth anniversary of Suvée’s death, the Groeninge Museum is organizing an exhibition of his paintings, together with work by precursors and contemporaries (David, Canova, Thorvaldsen).
27-30	Antwerp	PORTRAITS OF WOMEN: Works by Eugeen van Mieghen on show at the Mayer Van den Bergh Museum. Some fifty works, mainly drawings are devoted to the place of women in van Mieghem's oeuvre.

November 2007	Place	Events
1	Public Holiday	All Saint's Day
11	Public Holiday	Armistice Day
All month	Brussels	RUBENS EXHIBITION: The Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels host a major exhibit of the works of Peter Paul Rubens.
All month	Bruges	BRUGES-PARIS-ROME: Joseph-Benoît Suvée and neoclassicism in Europe, a show at the Groeninge Museum through January, 2008. To mark the two-hundredth anniversary of Suvée’s death, the Groeninge Museum is organizing an exhibition of his paintings, together with work by precursors and contemporaries (David, Canova, Thorvaldsen).
All month	Antwerp	PORTRAITS OF WOMEN: Works by Eugeen van Mieghen on show at the Mayer Van den Bergh Museum. Some fifty works, mainly drawings are devoted to the place of women in van Mieghem's oeuvre.
3	St. Hubert	ST. HUBERT FESTIVAL: Solemn High Mass, fanfare of hunting horns and blessing of the animals in the Ardennes town of St. Hubert.

December 2007	Place	Events
25	Public Holiday	Christmas Day
All month	Brussels	RUBENS EXHIBITION: The Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels host a major exhibit of the works of Peter Paul Rubens.
All month	Bruges	BRUGES-PARIS-ROME: Joseph-Benoît Suvée and neoclassicism in Europe, a show at the Groeninge Museum through January, 2008. To mark the two-hundredth anniversary of Suvée’s death, the Groeninge Museum is organizing an exhibition of his paintings, together with work by precursors and contemporaries (David, Canova, Thorvaldsen).
All month	Antwerp	PORTRAITS OF WOMEN: Works by Eugeen van Mieghen on show at the Mayer Van den Bergh Museum. Some fifty works, mainly drawings are devoted to the place of women in van Mieghem's oeuvre.
December 2 thru January 1 2007 DTC	Brussels	EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS MARKET: Winter Fun, an ice skating rink and much more awaits visitors in the warm and friendly atmosphere of downtown Brussels. A holiday shoppers’ delight! Also visit website.
DTA	Bruges	CHRISTMAS IN BRUGES: In December the city of Bruges transforms into a magical Christmas wonderland. Imagine Christmas and carillons concerts, Christmas markets and The Procession of the Eastern Star in a city crisscrossed by canals. Winter in Bruges is a month long celebration of the holidays
DTA	Liege	CHRISTMAS VILLAGE IN LIEGE: In the heart of the city of Liege 160 decorated wooden cottages form a magical Christmas Village throughout the month of December.
DTA	Antwerp	CHRISTMAS IN ANTWERP: As of December 9th the annual Christmas market opens on the market square. An ice skating ring promises winter fun for all ages. Nativity scenes are on display in many churches and Christmas concerts abound.

Search for additional Cultural Events:

Events in Brussels: Brussels International

Events in the Ardennes: http://www.belgium-tourism.net/accueil/en/index.html

(Find out what’s going on during your stay – choose the “Events” button in the main bar menu)

What’s hot in Brussels: www.brusselslife.be/E

All you want to know about nightlife in Belgium and Brussels: www.noctis.com

Brussels, the living guide: www.timeout.com/brussels/index.html

Jazz in Belgium: www.jazzinbelgium.com

Concerts at the Ancienne Belgique Concert Hall in Brussels: www.abconcerts.be

Concerts at Forest National: www.forestnational.be

For events in Antwerp: www.sportpaleis.be

The Classics:

Program of the Royal Opera, Brussels: www.lamonnaie.be

Opera of Flanders: www.vlaamseopera.be

Bozar: www.bozar.be

Flagey: www.flagey.be

Also check: www.goformusic.be

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