What’s on this week: 28 November to 4 December

The capital’s end-of-year extravaganza Winter Wonders opens with fanfare on Friday. From midday, the Christmas market opens its festooned doors, while the official inauguration is staged in the Grand Place from 18.00. An inaugural aerial show by two cute bluebirds is followed by a video mapping and laser show beamed around the medieval square. It’s then time to switch on the lights of the traditional Christmas tree, decorated this year by designer Jean-Paul Lespagnard. A new nativity scene also comes alive with illuminations. This year’s theme for the capital’s Christmas village is “Weaving Winter”, which draws together culture, creation and encounters emphasising the importance of solidarity and connectivity during the festive season. 28 December to 1 January (until 4 January Place de Brouckère), across the city centre

A few tickets are still remaining for one of the hottest festivals in town. Europalia Espana’s Flamenco focus Cinco Días. Flamenco antes y después del flamenco offers a five-day explosion of dance, music, film and performance across the city. The programme by curator and artist Pedro G Romero explores flamenco past, present and future, from 16th-century music to classical performances and boundary-pushing artists. It includes the famous ensemble Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía and Compañía Úrsula López in El Maleficio de le Mariposa (pictured) by Spanish poet Federico García Lorca.  26-30 November

Pick up an original artwork at Art Truc Troc by sticking a post-it note on the piece of art you fancy and proposing something in exchange. It could be an object, a service, a weekend or an experience: the artists then select the proposals that inspire them the most. For its 18th edition, the event at Espace Vanderborght is partnering with Brussels Fashion Days. Every Saturday, visitors can join shows combining art and fashion in a festive and creative atmosphere. There are also workshops, activities and performances. 28 November to 14 December, Espace Vanderborght, Rue de l’Ecuyer 50

Music video festival VKRS celebrates its seventh and final edition screening the very best Belgian and international clips. On the programme: competitions for the best music videos, professional meetings, a compilation of best festival moments, a speed-clipping challenge, an exceptional awards ceremony and a big party to close one of Belgium’s quirkiest and fun festivals. “Social media are killing the video clip,” director Fanny De Marco told Bruzz when explaining the festival’s demise. Until 29 November, Rue des Riches Claires 24

The magic of Bollywood and the subcontinent’s regional cinema comes alive at the Indian Film Festival at Flagey. The four-day day event screens a selected film each day. From cricket sports drama 83 to a disaster movie about the Kerala flood, 2018: Everyone is a Hero, they reflect India’s cultural diversity and cinematic skills across languages and regions. Entrance is free upon registration. All films are subtitled in English. 29 November to 2 December, Place Flagey (Ixelles)

Immersive electronic music event Balagan World Experience returns to Brussels with an ambitious and exciting programme. Transforming the Dome Eventhall into an audiovisual temple for fans of house, tech house, and melodic techno, the line-up features Mind Against, Avangart Tabldot, Benja vs Franc Fala, David Hopperman and Rozental. 29 November 21.00-5.00, Dome Eventhall, Boulevard Lambermont 1

Escape city-centre crowds and enjoy more than 80 stands overflowing with artisan gifts and eco-friendly and zero-waste items at Ixelles Christmas Market. The gathering under a heated big tent at Flagey gives pride of place to craft products from Belgium and Europe. A lovely range of quality seasonal bites – tartiflette, pancakes, oysters, Thai food – plus hot drinks and an entertainment programme also await. 28-30 November, Place Flagey (Ixelles)

Welcome to a feminist festive wonderland at The Nine Winter Market as the women’s clubhouse showcases its vendors and artisans who are all female or individuals from marginalised genders. The design market is perfect for picking up an original gift for all the family, and the elegant venue is awash with seasonal bonhomie. Registration required. 28-29 November 17.00-22.00, Rue Archimède 69

Avoid the last-minute seasonal rush by snapping up one-of-a-kind gifts and festive treats at the Brussels Women's Club Christmas Fair. You will also discover seasonal specialties, including mince pies, home-baked cakes, jams and chutneys, hand-crafted decorations and wreaths, jewellery, children’s toys and books, cards and more. Enjoy some delicious homemade goodies all day at the club’s non-stop café. If you want to explore the festive Aachen Christmas Market, the club is organising a coach trip to the German town on 4 December. Register by 1 December. 29 November 10.00–14.00, Rue au Bois 509 (Woluwe-Saint-Pierre) 

The Association Femmes d'Europe’s annual Christmas Bazaar raises funds for humanitarian projects. Located in the Atrium of the European Commission building, it sells a wide range of seasonal gifts and items, including regional foods, clothes, jewellery, artisanal soaps and more. Don’t miss the tombola draw at 15.00. Refreshments also available. 29 November 10.00-17.00, Rue Joseph II 79

Auderghem hosts a Christmas market – Marché de Noël à Saint Julien in its usual weekly market spot as well as a second one dedicated to Food and Gifts. The latter is graced by a visit by Father Christmas. 28-29 November to 1 December, Rue Valduc (Saint Julien); 7 December 11.00-18.00 (Food and Gifts), Boulevard du Souverain, Auderghem

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

The AfricaMuseum’s new exhibition The Panorama of the Congo 1913: Colonial Illusion Debunked focuses on the key attraction of Ghent International Exposition that extolled Belgium’s colonial role. This retrospective confronts colonial representations with voices, narratives and perspectives from the past and present that have long been silenced. It also addresses the enduring legacy of propaganda and colonisation. Until 27 September, Leuvensesteenweg 13, Tervuren

Do you like comedies? Drama? Animation? You’ll find them all at the Leuven Short Film Festival, one of the country’s most popular cinema events. See several short films in each screening, helpfully split up by categories like Big Names, Short Films; Short Films for Children. There is also a country focus (the Netherlands) and a director focus (Cato Kusters). And there’s also a virtual reality section where you can get a glimpse of the world of a woman with dementia (pictured), a reflection on forced migration and geraniums in West Flanders trying to escape their windowsills. 28 November to 6 December, Stuk, Naamsestraat 96, Leuven

Visiting Bruges in December is made all the more rich with December Dance, an international festival of contemporary dance that brings together some of the world’s most exciting, different and often remarkable productions. For its 18th edition, themes such as decolonisation, AI and inclusion incite audiences to reflect on a better world. Opening performance My Fierce Ignorant Step (pictured) by Christos Papadopoulos is a fusion of poetry and dance that innovatively sees dancers express words through their movement.  3-14 December, across Bruges

Brussels-born Mary of Hungary occupied a strategic role in the influential Hapsburg dynasty during the 16th century. A new exhibition at the Domain & Royal Museum of Mariemont focuses on a 20-year period of her life when as governor of the Low Countries and sister of Charles V, she established a palace in nearby Binche and a pavilion at Mariemont. Mary of Hungary. Art & Power in the Renaissance, as part of Europalia Espana, brings together prestigious works, some of show for the first time, as well as exceptional loans and innovative digital devices. This is an exceptionally staged immersion in an imperial saga that continues to intrigue us today. Until 10 May, Chaussée de Mariemont, Morlanwelz (Hainaut province)

Winter Glow in Bruges is a full-on festival with a new 3.5km light trail experience - Machina Lumina, an artificial ice rink, a winter bar, Christmas concerts and not one but two Christmas markets. The Koning Albert Park is also atmospherically-decorated for the occasion for the first time. Grote Markt hosts the biggest market and boasts a traditional flavour, with chalets, gifts and all the usual festive trappings. Simon Stevenplein offers more handmade crafts and artisanal delicacies – as does the Midwinterfeest, an atmospheric market for one day only (7 December) in Ball Street. It’s little surprise Bruges was ranked one of the 25 best Christmas markets in Europe by Big 7 Travel in 2023.  Until 4 January, across Bruges

Winterland opened in Hasselt in mid-November, one of the biggest, loudest and most jovial holiday events in Belgium. For its 17th edition, not only is there a Christmas market, indoor ice skating rink and fun fair – complete with a giant wooden slide and Grand Carrousel for children – there’s a giant Ferris wheel and several cosy winter bistros and bars waiting to welcome you. Dance in the mirror tent or pretend you’re on ski holiday in the Aspen Lounge. Santa Claus makes his grand entrance on 7 December; he will feel right at home amid the Christmas Flight, Santa’s Labyrinth and Santa’s Ghost Village attractions. Check the full programme of DJs, concerts and club nights, including events on the ice. Until 4 January, across central Hasselt

Ostend celebrates with a full winter programme including a Christmas market and ice skating on the Wapenplein with its landmark 19th-century music pavilion, plus a market in Leopold Park. In-between the two markets lies the city’s traditional tunnel of light in Adolf Buylstraat with an impressive 230,000 coloured LED lamps and two light shows a day. Among the many activities for children is a magical Christmas tree labyrinth on Mariakerke beach. Additional highlights are firework displays on the beach on 31 December and 3 January. 28 November to 4 January, across central Ostend

Discover more upcoming events at The Bulletin's events page.

Photos: (main image) Winter Wonders ©City of Brussels; Compañía Úrsula López - Maleficio de la mariposa © Pepe Torres & Daniel Pérez; Hilary Balu (Kinshasa, 1992). La Promesse du vide. 2025.  Loan from Hilary Balu. Artwork © Hilary Balu and foto Jean-Marc Vandyck ©RMCA; Leuven: Less Than 5Gr of Saffron Key Art; Mariemont Museum ©BE CULTURE; Bruges ©jandarthet; courtesy Winterland Hasselt; courtesy winter programme Ostend