City of Brussels launches first edition of outdoor summer event on the canal from 3 to 13 July

Quai des Peniches in Brussels’ Kanal District hosts the first edition of a new open-air event from 3 to 13 July. It is aimed at offering city dwellers a summer staycation with an urban oasis vibe.

The programme for Quai d’Été was unveiled by the City of Brussels this week. All of the quayside activities are free; focusing on "sports and relaxation to offer visitors plenty of opportunities to play, dance and relax”.

During the day, it targets a wider audience with deckchairs, free children's entertainment and sports 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.

While the initiative is inspired by the Bruxelles-les-Bains summer beach that graced the quayside for many years until 2019, this new event aims for a more “contemporary and flexible” flavour.

Embracing the 3,000m2 site’s industrial landscape, shipping containers, recycled materials, a repurposed crane and street art all feature in the decor. “Less of a beach, more of a port,” according to organisers.

“The neighbourhood has changed a lot in recent years. It is a completely new district,” underlined alderwoman for major events Delphine Houba (PS) at the presentation. "Since 2018, there had been works and we couldn't organise anything here for a long time. Now there is new catering, infrastructure and a new audience. This is an event tailored to that reality."

Activities

One of the programme highlights is The Boat, a floating dancefloor with space for 150 partygoers that sets sail twice a day with DJs on board. The musical line-up comes courtesy of a bunch of Brussels collectives such as Kiosk, Hangar Sound System and Thé Dansant. Tickets are priced at €15.60, with the exception of Thé Dansant on 4 July that costs €30.60.

Said Jim Becker of Kiosk. “For this setting, we consciously choose danceable electronic music. It really has to be a party.”

Back on dry land, the schedule for cultural events and workshops runs from Monday to Saturday, 14.00 to 18.00. Meanwhile, DJ sets turn the tables with a ‘chill’ vibe from Wednesday to Saturday, 17.00 to 22.00. On Sundays, the new Quai des Péniches market is open from 9.00 to 15.00, before a kids party entertains younger audiences from 15.00 to 18.00.

Summer in the city

The new pop-up event is also designed to boost the Kanal District, while being an important element of the city’s seasonal programme Summer Wonders (Plaisirs d’été/Zomerpret).

"With Summer Wonders, we deliberately spread the summer activities over several weeks and districts," said Emmanuel Angeli of Brussels Major Events. “With Quai d’Été at the beginning of July, the Brussels Dance Festival in mid-August, we provide variety and avoid overcrowding one place.”

Visitors are encouraged to travel to Quai d’Été on foot, by bike or by public transport. There are also two nearby car parks.

Quai d’Été
3 to 13 July
Quai des Peniches
Brussels

Photo: Quai des Peniches ©Visit.brussels/JP Rémy