Dynamic dance music festival returns to the capital on 12 September

Be prepared to get your groove on… Brussels Open Air Festival is transforming five of the capitals’ most iconic squares into open-air dance floors.

For its third edition, on 12 September, 10 local dance groups and collectives are taking over public spaces with programmes ranging from hip-hop to techno.

Tourism agency Visit.brussels says that, “this is a unique opportunity to experience the diversity and creative energy that make Brussels so vibrant. From 14.00 to 22.00, explore a variety of stages and atmospheres across the city and dance beneath the Brussels sky.”

Festival goers can either stay put in one location for the whole afternoon and/or evening; or visit multiple venues with the Festival Pass. This gives access to all five venues, but you will need to act fast, as only limited quantities are available and the ‘early bird’ tickets have already gone.

The event coordinated by the City of Brussels and Brussels By Night couples big sounds and famous DJs. At Place du Congrès there is 21AM and Bloody Louis; while minutes from the Grand’ Place, the Place d’Espagne welcomes Still Lookin x Easydone.

In the heart of Brussels Park, Vaux Hall will host Nashaz x Fatma Soundsystem x FEMMEBASS, while in the centre of the European quarter near Parc Léopold, Place Jean Rey will see La Fabriek x BIOME. Last but not least, at the imposing Place Poelaert with the scaffolding finally gone from the Palais de Justice – Vostock will strut its stuff.

The emphasis is on creativity and diversity. Vaux Hall for example is aiming to achieve “a safer space for underrepresented communities to gather, dance, perform and celebrate their existence.”

This show will be “shaped by music, live acts, performances, and carried by migrants, women, queer, trans, and racialised communities,” says Visit Brussels.

“From dub, reggae, and sound system culture to house, oriental percussion, and diasporic blended sounds, we’ll move together from the margins to the centre.”

Then on the Place d’Espagne, Still Looking - a queer, nomadic collective that blends electronic music and visual arts collaborates with Easy Done – a scenography collective to present a daytime clubbing experience.

Place Jean Rey’s show centres on trance, groove and techno, while the Congrès show, featuring two major names in the Brussels club scene – 21AM and Bloody Louis – celebrates the richness of Brussels' hip hop, R&B and afrobeats.

Place Poelaert will bring a different vibe with Vostock. This bass music collective that started from pop-up van gigs during Covid, now blending rave culture with independent production, is returning to the square with the van where it all began.

Getting tickets to one square will set you back around €12-15. The Festival Pass is €28-30.

Photos: ©Brussels Open Air Festival 2025/ MARGOLAVIGN