What’s on this week: 10 to 16 July

City park Bois de la Cambre welcomes AfroDisiac this weekend for a colourful and festival celebration of African culture. The biggest free cultural event in Belgium dedicated to the continent and children’s rights stages performances of traditional and contemporary music, a children’s village, artisan stands and African cuisine. 11-12 July, Carrefour des Attelages, Bois de la Cambre

Fans of the Yu-Gi-Oh trading card game gather for the European World Championship Qualifier 2026 at Brussels Expo. The famous game based on the manga and anime of the same name attracts some of continent's best players for various competition tournaments. 10-12 July, Place de la Belgique 1 (Laeken)

Autoworld presents its highly-anticipated summer exhibition Icons of the ‘90s. If the recent decade was marked by innovation, pop culture, video games and the rise of the internet, it was also an exciting period in the automobile industry. From city cars and sporty coupés to hot hatches and super cars, the end of the 20th century produced some automotive icons. Until 6 September, Esplanade Cinquantenaire Park 11

The Red Devils are in action against Spain in the World Cup quarter final on Friday evening. Football Village in Place Wiener is one of the locations to watch the match on a giant screen. Doors open at 17.00 and last free entry is at 18.30. Refreshments available at the neighbouring Guinguette Boitsfort. Place A Payfa-Fosséprez (Watermael-Boitsfort)

The Cameristica Festival returns to Brussels’ Royal Music Conservatory for its third edition with six concerts by young musicians from around the world. The summer school for emerging talents is attended by guest artists including pianist Sergei Redkin and cellist Pierre Fontenelle. 11-17 July, multiple venues

The 20th edition of the Classissimo festival is currently in residence at the Théâtre Royal du Parc. Staging a festive programme of classical music, the event is free for students. It is an opportunity to discover rare instruments such as the glass harmonica or the cymbalum, as well as musical masterpieces in a prestigious and intimate setting. Until 11 July, Rue de la Loi 3

More than 1,000 street, neighbourhood and local initiatives are revving up to celebrate Flemish Community Day on 11 July. Events across Flanders and Brussels mark the regional holiday which commemorates the famous 1302 Battle of the Golden Spurs victory and symbol of Flemish independence. The Grand Place in Brussels hosts concerts from 15.30 until 23.00, while there are also celebrations in the Brussels Parliament from 11.30, free guided tours at 12.30 and activities, dancing and DJs in Place de la Monnaie from 14.00 until late. 11 July, across Brussels and Flanders

Place Colignon in Scherbeek is transformed into a playground and meeting place this summer, complete with a sand pit, go-kart trail, picnic tables and shady spots. The Viva Colignon community project is an initiative of the nonprofit Filter Café Filtré with the help of public subsidies. After a summer school running until 12 July, its programme continues for the remainder of the summer holiday period. Until end August, Place Colignon (Schaerbeek)

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

For its 40th edition, the annual outdoor theatre romp at Villers Abbey presents the Shakespearean comedy Le Songe d’une nuit d’été (Midsummer Night’s Dream). The atmospheric ruins of the Cistercian site are a perfect setting for this promenade theatre experience directed by Thierry Debroux that is given a modern makeover. If weather conditions are unfavourable, the show is postponed to a later date – check the website for updates. 11 July to 10 August 21.00, Rue de l’Abbaye 55, Villers-la-ville (Walloon Brabant)

Leuven tells it like it is with the aptly titled summer festival Het Groot Verlof (the big holiday). The city puts on all kinds of entertainments, all absolutely free. These range from open-air cinema to musical performances for children a seniors ball and concerts by the likes of Jasper Steverlinck (10 July), The Sheila Divine (24 July) and Tourist LeMC (31 July). In the midst of all this is the music festival Beleuvenissen and outdoor sing-a-long Leuven Sings on 25 July. Foodies take note that a gastronomic route on 2 August is a chance to sample local delicacies. 10 July to 7 August, across Leuven

Cactusfestival is staged in Bruges’ enchanting Lake of Love Park this weekend. Catch concerts by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Editors, Madness, Franz Ferdinand, Belle and Sebastian, Richard Hawley, White Lies and Supergrass, among other national and international artists. There are plenty of zones dotted around the park to relax and enjoy different vibes, including the Bazaar (pictured above). Note: Sunday tickets sold out. 10 to 12 July, Minnenwaterpark, Bruges

The eastern Belgium town of Stavelot – a charming Ardennes haven – has been hosting the street-theatre festival VTS (Vacances Théâtre Stavelot) for more than 50 years. Housed in one of the region’s outstanding heritage site, Stavelot Abbey, it stages some of the best francophone theatre and performances that has been shown in the country over the past season. Among the highlights are theatre performances La “veritable” histoire de Sigmund…, Des Cailloux plein le poches, music by Just Voix and comedian Laurence Bibot and plenty of street theatre acts for all ages in and around the site. Until 12 July, Stavelot Abbey (Liège)

This musical odyssey – spanning the Renaissance, Baroque, Bulgarian polyphony and Scandinavian dances – boasts a picturesque backdrop with magical old stone churches, priories and fortresses along the Mosane valley serving as concert venues. For its 50th edition, the Festival de l’Été Mosan proposes 17 concerts focused on chamber and old music. It kicks off at the Collégiate Notre-Dame de Dinant with a nocte temporis ensemble (pictured above) performing Mozart, conducted by Reinoud Van Mechelen. 12 July to 30 August, locations along the Meuse valley (Liège and Namur provinces)

Final tickets are available for LaSemo festival in the bucolic setting of the domain of Enghien castle. One of the season’s most eco-friendly and accessible gatherings, it promises a quality musical line-up: Julien Doré, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Vanessa Paradis, Xavier Rudd, Puggy, Alice on the Roof, Chantal Goya and more. There’s also street theatre, kids’ activities and other events to keep everyone happy. 9-12 July, Parc d’Enghien, entrance via Avenue Elisabeth or Chaussée Brunehault, Hainaut

The Euro Space Center has inaugurated a new attraction in time for the summer holidays. Mars Explorer takes visitors on a journey to the red planet as part of a virtual experience that is integrated in its special day activity, Spationaut Day. The attraction park is conveniently located alongside the E411 motorway. Devant le Hêtres 1, Transinne (Luxembourg province)

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

Photos: (main image) courtesy Afrodisiac; courtesy Autoworld; courtesy Classissimo; Villers abbey ©DEL Diffusion Destination Walloon Brabant; courtesy Het Groot Verlof; courtesy Cactusfestival; Stavelot VTS Les Ptits Festarts; courtesy La Semo; Mars Village ©Euro Space Center