What’s on this week: 18-24 August

While the sub continent’s delicious and authentic cuisine is the big draw of the annual Indian Food Festival, visitors can also enjoy a colourful programme of entertainment. Ranging from workshops and live music – including the Brussels Bollywood Choir – to Indian dances, visitors will be inspired to draw in. Meanwhile, fans of Indian food can look forward to veggie and non-veggie specialities such as Chennai dosas, Mumbai vada pav, Hyderabadi biryani, Punjabi bhature, Bengali fish and Assamese momos. A kids’ village is an additional attraction to the free event, organised by Indian Confluence with support from the Indian Embassy. 19 & 20 August 12.00-21.00, Cinquantenaire Park

While the lovely Josaphat Park’s waterways, donkeys and playground make it one of the capital’s most popular parks year-round, The Park to Be provides even more inspiration to visit in the summer. A programme for all ages includes diverse activities such as do-it-yourself workshops, Zumba, roller skating lessons, yoga and storytimes. There’s an activity nearly every day, sometimes several. Until 30 August, Avenue des Azalées (Schaerbeek)

The wildly popular world music celebration, the Hide & Seek Festival , acquired its names from the quirky locations hosting the diverse event. For this year’s edition, they include the Natural Science Museum, Maison Cauchie, the MIM, Château de Val Duchesse and even a Stib metro depot. With some of the concerts already selling out, it’s best to snap up tickets sooner than later. The festival host is the capital’s world music specialist Muziekpublique, and styles vary from flamenco to Congolese rumba and sounds from Persia. 20-26 August, across Brussels

Brigittines International Festival is an annual end-of summer contemporary performance celebration. For 2023, Flights and vertigo is the thread that unites all the shows: innovative languages, bizarre universes and strange and original forms that speak to the imagination. The opening production Made of Space (pictured) explores the vortex of energy around us as the final work of a trilogy by Maria Campos and Guy Nader (Sp). The production, which is also staged at De Werf Theatre in Alost on 13 October, is part of Spain’s EU presidency cultural programme. 18 August to 2 September, Les Brigittines, Petite Rue des Brigittines

Curated by Fuse, the famous long-running Brussels nightclub, the XRDS Electronic Music Festival returns for two days with a huge lineup of 43 artists on three separate stages. Held in a unique urban environment underneath the Anderlecht viaduct, this year’s line-up will feature renowned artists such as Bjarki, Dax J and Ellen Allien, and is set to captivate the hearts of all techno and house music enthusiasts. Don’t miss after show parties at Fuse until 7.00 on both days. 19 & 20 August, Parc des Étangs

It's one of Magritte’s most recognisable and symbolic images: a bird caught in flight as it soars in a brilliant blue daytime sky. Now the painting Le retour (The Return) has been recreated in 3D form out of lego bricks, complete with white clouds and a nest containing three white eggs. On show as part of the exhibition LEGO DREAMZzz at the Museums of Fine Arts, it depicts night and day, capturing viewers in a dreamlike moment. The show includes five of the 10 brand new LEGO DREAMZzz sets and is accompanied by other activities for children. The nod to Magritte is a tribute to the surrealist artist in honour of his birth 125 years ago. Until 31 August, Rue de la Régence 3

Even if you shy away from documentaries, you’ll have a great time at CineDesign as you are introduced to masters of design and architecture in open-air screenings. Hear the fascinating stories of the people who shape our living spaces in the Design Museum’s cosy summer garden, complete with food truck. Admission is free. Bring your own seating or blanket. 24 & 29 August, Place de la Belgique

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Anything goes in music-festival crazed Belgium, hence Ghent’s most-excellent climbing gym is hosting a combo climbing and music festival. Beginners and the experienced alike are invited to Sounds Like Climbing to try out the climbing walls as well as other adventurous activities like sumo suits, virtual reality games, slacklining and something called “deathride”. Live bands, DJs and food trucks take up the rest of your time. 19-20 August, Klimzaal Bleau, Campinglaan 2, Ghent

Family favourite The Festival International des Arts de la Rue returns for its 49th edition to the village of Chassepierre in the Gaume region. Set in the heart of the village – one of the prettiest in the country – it promises two days of entertaining theatre, circus, dance and music. On the programme is French dance group Diptyk (pictured), who present Mirage, a show about floating images and collective force. Familiar childhood stories will be told in an engaging way, promising a magical weekend for children and adults in this breathtakingly bucolic setting. 19-20 August, Chassepierre (Luxembourg province)

Seek out theatre, concerts, art installations and other amusements in the streets, squares and waterways of Bruges during the Reie Festival. All 14 activities have been inspired by the city’s heritage and the theme “faith”. This is the first edition of the new triennial and includes performances, concerts and processions. Staged both indoors and out, much of it free. 18-20 August, across Bruges

As flea markets go, this is one of Belgium’s biggest! The annual gathering at the Brocante de Temploux attracts thousands of bargain hunters from around the country. With 1200 stands set up along the rural roads of this pretty village, it’s the place to unearth quality objects, antiques and art. For the first time in its 44 years of history, a 1,000m2 space will be dedicated to the world-famous Danish brick, Lego. The village is easily accessible via the E42 motorway, while extra buses will be running from Namur. 19 & 20 August, Temploux (Namur province)

Walloon capital Namur welcomes folklore societies from around the world for its highly-convivial International folklore festival. Staged across the river Meuse in Jambes, some seven countries from four continents – including Argentina, Italy and Kenya - plus Flemish and Walloon delegations, will be displaying colourful dances, song, tales and traditions. Don’t miss a free reception in the city hall’s Maïeur gardens on Saturday at 12.00 when each folklore company will perform a regional dance. Another free event during this 61st edition is open to all on the Place de Wallonie in Jambes on Sunday at 11.30 (pictured: Colombia performing in 2022). 18-21 August, Athenée Royal sports hall, Jambes

The Mosane town of Huy hosts its annual world music and cultural gathering, the Festival d’Art this weekend. Staged in various heritage sites, concerts feature sounds from Brazil, Italy, klezmer music and Argentinian tango. This year’s edition gives carte blanche to French-Sephardic singer and violinist Ariane Cohen-Adad with a number of interesting conversations with other musicians lined up. Until 22 August, multiple venues in Huy (Liège province)

Now in its eleventh year, L'Intime festival in Namur has established itself on the Walloon capital’s literature and arts scene. The francophone event invites writers, actors and performers to read, recite and discuss contemporary literature. There’s plenty of opportunities for the public to meet and chat with writers. 18-20 August, Théâtre Royal, Galérie du Beffroi, Le Delta, Namur

Photos: Courtesy Indian Food Festival; Courtesy The Park to Be 2; Made of Space, guy nader maria campos_alfredmauve_dsdp; LEGO © Leen Van de Sande; Design-Museum-Brussels (c)Lio Photography; (c)Courtesy Klimzaal Bleau; courtesy Chassepierre festival;