Brussels
When To Visit Brussels – Special Events
Throughout The Year.
Brussels hosts a
mild climate where summers do not get exceptionally hot and winters do not get
exceptionally cold. December and January are the coldest months when
temperatures can drop to just slightly above zero while June to August bring
temperatures touching 20 degrees c.
Interestingly, rainfall is higher in the summer months than
during winter, and unfortunately, always an imminent possibility in Brussels.
One of the best times to visit Brussels is during September
when the number of tourists drops dramatically when compared to the peak summer
months, but when the weather is still warm and pleasant.
However, if the special events below interest you, you may
wish to co-incide your visit accordingly.
Summertime Events
May sees the Brussels Jazz Convention which is performed at
various destinations throughout the city. You can also catch the Queen Elisabeth
Competition and the Kunsten Festival des Arts which is a mix of opera, theatre
and dance (in Flemish and Wallonian). Lovers of sport may be interested in the Brussels Half Marathon when thousands of runners swarm through the streets of
Brussels.
June entertains the City of Brussels Summer Festival where
a wide range of classical musicians gather to perform in some of the cities most
extravagant locations. Another opportunity to catch a music festival is provided
in the last week of june when the Fete de la Musique comes to town.
July offers a wide variety of events, kicking off with the
opening of the Palais Royal, when the Royal residency is opened up to visitors
for a couple of weeks. There are also an entertaining mix of cultural musical
events including Festival de Midis Minimes and Coleur Café Festival. Carnival
lovers will want to check out Foire de Midi which offers funfair type rides. The
colourful Ommegang can be found in the Grand Place where countless people take
on the role of clowns, jesters, soldiers and such. This is quite a sight and
approximately 2,000 people are thought to participate every July. On the 21st is Belgian National Day – celebrated by a lavish fireworks display.
August sees the Tapis des Fleurs (a colourful flower
exhibition) and the Plantation du Meiboom (a giant free for all puppet show)
come to town.
Autumn, Winter, Spring…
September & October affords you the opportunity to
check out the Lucky Town Festival and Les Nuits Botaniques (musical concerts)
as well as the Audi Jazz Festival.
December is characterised by Marché de Noel. In this
Christmas fair you’ll find various festive stalls.
January & February are renowned for the Fete des Rois and Brussels Film festival. Towards the end is the highly popular International
Comic Strip And Cartoon Festival (you may remember the most famous Belgian comic
strip hero – Tintin and his white dog Snowy who went about solving various
mysteries).
March/April – The Ars Musica festival is a celebration of
contemporary music (March) while the Serres Royales is an elaborate and
attractive flower show. You can also take in the International Fantasy Film
Festival and Eurantica which is a grand antiques fair (typically towards the
end of March).
April entertains the Sablon Baroque Spring where 17th
century music is performed by some of the country’s finest young musicians.
Keeping to the tune, Flanders Festival is an international music festival that
specialises in classical music.
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