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Frightful fun! The Bulletin guide to Halloween and holiday activities in Belgium
From eerie tours and special shows for all the family to spooky theatre, all-night raves and horror film sessions, get ready to feel the fear thanks to our round-up of holiday activities across Belgium.
BRUSSELS
Museum of Fantastic and the Center of Fantastic Art Until 3 November
Every Halloween, this family-friendly institution is transformed into a scary house. It’s a perfect opportunity to explore its unusual collection via puzzles to solve and earning a witchcraft certificate. Rue Américaine 7 (Saint-Gilles)
Día de Muertos 28 October to 2 November
Latino Halloween vibes fill the Marolles, from grinning skulls, colourful costumes, parades, themed workshops and talks, concerts and even a cemetery walk accompanied by music. There’s plenty of kids and family activities to keep los niños entertained. Jam sessions are accompanied by hot chocolate and Mezcal, while a grand parade on Sunday leaves from Place du Jeu de Balles at 19.00, followed by a surprise concert at Parc des Brigittines. Across the Marolles
Les Mystères d’Halloween 26 October
Four to 14-year-olds can help police track down a demon who has infiltrated the house of the dead, located in the municipal greenhouses of Josaphat park. Organised by the Enfance et famille service, there are two sessions catering for different age groups with varying levels of scare factor! Boulevard Lambermont 411 (Schaerbeek)
Rock-horror musical Night Quintet 31 October
This premiere of the English-language spine-tingling rock-horror musical is perfect for Halloween. Five strangers awaken to find themselves trapped in a room with no memory of how they got there. As they struggle to piece together their past, the clock ticks down, and they soon discover that they are not alone. The original musical is filled with chilling melodies, heart-stopping suspense and unexpected twists at every turn. Who will make it out alive? Théâtre Marni, Rue de Vergnies 25 (Ixelles)
Kinepolis Halloween Night 31 October
Join fellow horror film fans for screenings of four terrifying titles: The Substance, Heretic, Azrael and Terrifier 3. Snacks, drink and a surprise goodie are included in entrance ticket. Recommended for 16 years and up. Heysel and theatres across the country
Natural Sciences Museum exhibition Wild? Until 31 August 2025
We think of Belgium’s wolves as wild animals, but the more foxes we see rummaging through trash bins, the less we think of them that way. And what about us? Are we wild? Maybe we are to the wolves and the foxes. Such questions are explored in this new exhibition, which also confronts you with how humans – always a threat to the rest of all living things – are now threatened themselves. Rue Vautier 29
Schtroumph Experience From 23 October
Dive into the world of the Smurfs, exploring the little blue creatures’ village and mystical forest. The iconic Belgian comic strip characters come alive in this new immersive at Brussels Expo thanks to cutting-edge augmented reality and 3D projections. Visitors of all ages can enjoy the 75-minute exploration of nine thematic zones. Created by Peyo in 1958, the Smurfs are still enjoying global success. Palace 2, Place de la Belgique (Laeken)
Harry Potter: Visions of Magic Until 5 January
This multimedia attraction is now enjoying an extended run in the capital until the New Year. The immersive journey into the famous world of wizardry is a colourful interactive experience. Visitors are equipped with magic wands that cast spells via interactive screens before being invited to board a Magigobus that transports them to the Ministry of Magic, the governing body of Britain’s magical community created by author JK Rowling. Tour & Taxis, Avenue du Port 86C
Balloon Museum exhibition EmotionAir Until 26 January
After Impressionist and Surrealist art, bubbles and optical illusions, it is now inflatable art that is being given the immersive treatment. The interactive, immersive, multi-sensory journey features 20 monumental artworks by internationally renowned artists. Visitors have the opportunity to touch and interact with all the displays. Each installation offers a different creative space and each is designed to spark a variety of emotions. Brussels Expo, Place de la Belgique 1 (Laeken)
FLANDERS
Pumpkimania Until 3 November
Tens of thousands of pumpkins are used to create all sorts of fun figures in the grounds of Groot-Bijgaarden Castle. There’s a circus theme this year, so expect tigers, elephants and clowns (who are even freakier when made of pumpkins). There’s also pumpkin soup, fries and other treats, and on weekends, you can try your hand at carving a pumpkin and ride in the pumpkin boat. Isidoor Van Beverenstraat 5, Groot-Bijgaarden
Plopsaland Until 3 November
The amusement park in De Panne is a Halloween dream for littler kids, who can dress up and interact with the park’s characters and visit the “not too scary” haunted house. There are also loads of special shows featuring Studio 100 characters. The holiday is also celebrated in the smaller Plopsaland parks in Hasselt, Antwerp and Stavelot.
Bobbejaanland Until 3 November
The Antwerp province amusement park takes a creepy approach with several haunted houses with names like Alice in Horrorland and Texas Butcher. Four themes zones drop you in the midst of the Day of the Dead, say, or killer monkeys. Olensteenweg 45, Kasterlee
Blankenberge weeks of spooky surprises Until 31 October
The seaside location adds to the holiday feel of these Halloween activities like a haunted house, a creepy carnival, a spectacular light parade, fire performances on the beach, pumpkin carving and the big costume party at the Casino for the whole family. That includes a family parade in which all kids – who are dressed up! – can take part. Across Blankenberge
Planckendael Dragons of the North 25 October to 5 January
The animal park is launching its light festival (pictured, main image) earlier this year to brighten things up as the days get shorter. For the Scandinavian-inspired attraction all kinds of mythical figures will glow and blink and shine. You’ll meet trolls, elves, a howling werewolf, a four-metre-high phoenix and of course the title characters – who are destined to steal the show. Leuvensesteenweg 582, Mechelen
Halloween Rave 27-28 October
Ward off the evil spirits by partying all night at Hangar’s all-night rave at Brussels Gate in Groot-Bijgaarden, just west of the capital. The all-night electronic music fest in a former industrial warehouse boasts an underground vibe and a full line-up of international DJs, including French house & disco star Folamour on the decks on Thursday and BICEP with their brand-new CHROMA AV/DJ on Friday. Warning: tickets are selling out fast! Alfons Gossetlaan 9
WALLONIA
Halloween Mystery Forest Until 2 November
As night falls this seasonal attraction at Durbuy’s Adventure Valley comes alive. The audiovisual show set along a 2km trail is dotted with different ‘scare zones’ where an army of strange and terrifying creatures will make an appearance. As the night advances, the scare factor also increases. But fear not, each fright area can be bypassed if you prefer a gentler experience. Adventure Valley, Rue du Rome 1, Durbuy (Luxembourg province)
Mystery Moon 29 October
Belgium’s Euro Space Center invites everyone to the alternative Halloween experience; a poetic and atmospheric dive into the fascinating world of the Earth’s satellite. Under a starry sky, the Moon will reveal its secrets via artistic performances – from illuminated jugglers and dancers to contortionists and magicians – as well as interactive workshops and the immersive spectacle Show me to the Moon. Entrance tickets also provide access to Spationaut Day activities. Rue devant les Hêtres 1, Transinnes (Luxembourg province)
Bioul on Fire 30 October to 2 November
As darkness sets in, this Walloon château sparkles with illuminations and a fiery show that plunges audiences into the world of classical music. Listen to strains by Mozart, Vivaldi, Handel, Beethoven, Wagner, Bach and Chopin. The promenade tour in the estate’s grounds with fire-themed artistic displays and installations is divided into four evening sessions. The château, which is also a reputed wine domain, lays on drinks and refreshments in its enchanting setting. Château de Bioul, Avenue de Vaxelaire 1, Bioul (Namur province)
Pairi Daiza Halloween Until 2 November
The exotic animal park offers an immersive autumn experience, complete with pumpkins and seasonal decor, for atmospheric activities and thrills during its Halloween experience. More than 100 performers - artists, musicians, dancers, and magicians - entertain each day and there are screenings of video projections. Domaine de Cambron, Brugelette (Hainaut province)
Walibi Ibilaw Until 3 November
To celebrate its 25th Halloween celebration, the popular Wavre amusement park has changed its name to Ibilaw and transformed into a world of horror and vengeance. Explore the dark side of the park in haunted houses, scare zones and creepy decor during the extended opening hours. Warning: 26 & 27 October are already sold out. Boulevard de l’Europe 100, Wavre (Walloon Brabant province)
SparkOH exhibition Cosmos
Perfect for the school holidays, this new show at the children’s museum explores the Solar System, its galaxies and the immensity of the Universe. The mysteries of stars, black holes and planets are unravelled via interactive experiences, monumental installations, astronomical instruments and video reports (almost) live from space. Icing on the cake – this exhibition is just one of 17 to enjoy in this massive museum. Rue de Mons 3, Frameries (near Mons)
Photos: (main image) Plankendael zoo; Harry Potter visions of magic ©Warner bros entertainment inc publishing rights-©jkr; Balloon Museum ©Hyperfeeling - Hyperstudio