What’s on this week: 12 to 18 July

Take a musical journey around the world from a grassy spot in Leopold park courtesy of the Walden Festival. The smaller and summer version of the feted Klarafestival is spread around sites in and around the park for a series of delightfully short concerts in a relaxed family setting. This is a programme that offers classical music, world music and jazz: from Tutu Puoane & Bert Joris, Driss El Maloumi with his Tafassil project, former Queen Elisabeth violin competition finalist Lorenzo Gatto, the Ragazze Quartet and the Brussels Jazz Orchestra. The programme for the fourth edition is a reflection on the important relationship with nature while celebrating the capital’s melting pot of cultures. 13 & 14 July, Leopold park, Museum of Natural Science gardens, Musée Wiertz gardens, Espace Senghor, Eglise La Viale (Etterbeek)

Foire du Midi offers everything you want from a fun fair – stomach-churning rides, kid-friendly fun, games of chance and shooting galleries. The website offers a helpful map to find all of this and also splits the attractions up by “for thrillseekers” and “for the whole family”. Another star attraction is the array of food stands... Don’t miss out on the delicious deep-fried, sugar-coated croustillants! 13 July to 18 August, daily from 14.00,  Boulevard du Midi

Beyond the concerts of traditional contemporary music, cultural activities, children’s village, artisan stands and African cuisine, the Afrodisiac festival is all about solidarity for the continent. The event aims to raise awareness and highlight pressing issues in Africa. 13-14 July, Carrefour des Attelages, Bois de la Cambre

Escape the bustle of city life with a brief musical interlude in the city’s museum quarter. Musicorum stages classical concerts every lunchtime until the end of the summer. It boasts a varied and original programme with soloists, orchestras, chamber ensembles, instrumentalists and singers. Among them are international artists: seasoned and rising talents. Although the concerts are free, participation to financial costs is welcome. Until 30 August 12.15-13.00, Tuesday-Friday, Museum of Fine Arts, Rue de la Régence 3

Fluctuations festival travels around Europe aboard a barge, docking on the banks of major rivers for a cultural and social reflection on citizen participation and social and environment challenges. The vessel serves as both an artistic stage and a residence for social and militant  activity. It offers a kaleidoscope of concerts – electro, hip-hop, Afro – workshops, a sustainable food court and a solidarity village. Free entrance; contributions welcome. 13-14 July, Rue de la Petite Île 14 (Anderlecht)

Head to Place de la Bourse on weekends and Wednesday evenings for dance battles in loads of different styles – break, krump, swing, hip-hop and more. The winners of these battles come together in the big all-star battle at Théâtre National in September. The competition is at the heart of the Detours Festival, which also features street performances, the international young choreographers Works in Progress programme and productions by previous festival winners. Until 22 September, across Brussels

Bozar Rooftop is a pop-up destination for culture vultures with outdoor film screenings on ‘festive Wednesdays’ plus performances and afterwork events atop the iconic building. Music fans should note that Thursday’s activities are dedicated to electro, Fridays to urban, Saturday to eclectic genres, and Sunday to chill sounds, yoga sessions and brunch. Renovated in 2021, the new space honours the original plans by its designer, Art Nouveau pioneer Victor Horta. Open Wednesday to Sunday, Rue Ravenstein 23

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Mons Memorial Museum’s new exhibition explores one of the abiding legends of World War One. Les Anges de Mons. Croyances et apparitions en 14-18 is a fascinating and in-depth portrayal of the supernatural phenomena that occurred to British troops as they retreated into France. Soldiers spotted an odd cloud formation that appeared like an angel; they believed it protected them from the superior German forces. Via paintings, posters, objects and memorabilia, the exhibition examines the historic, social and scientific context of why angels sparked the imagination of the time, while also considering the links between religion, propaganda and war culture. Until May 2025, Boulevard Dolez 51, Mons

Mu.zee’s last hurrah before closing for a three-year renovation is Full House, an exhibition featuring works by more than 80 Belgian artists from the museum’s collection. The works – which date from the late 19th century to today – are grouped thematically, offering unique perspectives on generations of artists’ shared preoccupations. Compare, for instance, James Ensor’s seascapes, which worked to capture patterns of colour and light, to Ann Veronica Janssens’ industrially manufactured glass plates, which achieve a similar effect. Until 5 January, Romestraat 11, Ostend

While strip albums and graphic novels get much attention in Belgian, Knokke-Heist’s annual Cartoon Festival is dedicated to those one-off comic strips or single-pane cartoons that must hold their own as an individual work. Entertainment, commentary and illustration all at once, single-story strips are often the result of weeks or months of careful consideration. Check out the three free shows: Press Cartoon Belgium, The Golden Hat (winners of Knokke’s international cartoon competition) and Choose Life, a thematic exhibition exploring cartoonists’ takes on what shapes our lives – fate or choice? Until 1 September, across Knokke-Heist

Artists have always been inspired by the theme of eroticism, whether subtle and sensual or explicit and wild. The exhibition Les Liaisons Dangereuses features illustrations from the famous 1782 epistolary novel of the same name, as well as erotic objects and paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries. It mixes these among contemporary works, all staged at the Ursel Castle – and it’s these two facts that make this worth a trip to Bornem. Dozens of international present-day artists give us their take on this age-old theme – in photography, video, painting, sculpture and even textile – with delightful results. Until 13 October, Ursel Castle, Wolfgang d’Urselstraat 9, Hingene (Bornem)

Enghien castle and its park are the setting for the annual LaSemo festival, one of the season’s most eco-friendly gatherings. In additional to a quality musical line-up: Pomme, Zaho de Sagazan, IAM, Patti Smith, Ibrahim Maalouf, Chinese Man, Deluxe, Loïc Nottet, Babylong Circus, and more, there’s street theatre, kids’ activities and other events to keep everyone happy. Different campsites cater for different audiences: family, festive, quiet, etc. 12-14 July, Parc d’Enghien, entrance via Avenue Elisabeth or Chaussée Brunehault, Hainaut

This musical odyssey – spanning the 17th to 20th centuries and the heritage of the Mosane valley – boasts a picturesque backdrop with magical old stone churches, priories and fortresses serving as concert venues. For its 48th edition, the Festival de l’Été Mosan proposes an eclectic programme, from classical, early and chamber music to world sounds and jazz. Listen to Bernard Fouccroule perform on Saint-Loup church’s new organ in Namur (27.07), cellists Ophélie Gaillard (04.08) and Marie Hallynck (30.08), as well as traditional Irish music in The High Road to Kilkenny (24.08; pictured), among others. 13 July to 31 August, locations along the Meuse valley

There’s a holiday air in the centre of Louvain-la-Neuve. Instead of throngs of students, the university town is home to Louvain-la-Plage, ideal for lazy summer days and evening entertainment, including concerts on Thursday and Saturday evenings. Enjoy the sandy stretch with its palm trees, parasols, deckchairs, beach games, a bouncy castle and plenty of other outdoor activities for all ages. Until 31 July 10.00-midnight (beach games end at 20.00), Grand Place, Louvain-la-Neuve

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 the simple Picnic in the Park and open-air cinema to much bigger values such as concerts by the likes of Bart Peeters, Sergio and 10cc. In the midst of all this is the four day M-idzomer music and culture festival, music festival Beleuvenissen and outdoor sing-a-long Leuven Sings on 27 July. 12 July to 9 August, across Leuven

Get ready for some of the best artists on the alternative music scene at Dour Festival, an established event with a history stretching back to 1989. For 2024, it offers the chance to see over 250 artists on eight different stages, from rock and rap to disco and dance, and both new artists and established acts. The 20,000 capacity main stage, known as The Last Arena, is where the main acts play; this year’s intriguing Sunday headliner are The Libertines. As well as the campsite, a festival village with tipis, tribes and huts – with set-up bedding – offer overnight accommodation. 17-21 July, Rue d’Elouges 106,  Dour (Hainaut)

The Walloon favourite Les Francofolies de Spa is dedicated to francophone artists from France, Belgium and Quebec in the picturesque Ardennes town of Spa. For its 30th anniversary, tune in to Cabrel, Bruel, Obispo, Gims, Louise Attaque, Hoshi, Zazie, Puggy, Doria D, Cloé du Trèfle & Lisette Lombé, An Pierlé, Sharko, and more. Full camping facilities are on hand as are dedicated bus and trains; car parking is also available. 18-21 July, across Spa (Liege)

Check out The Bulletin’s guides to music festivals and theatre, performance and family events this summer.

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

Photos: (main image) Klarafestival Walden, Bjorn Comhaire; ccourtesy Foire du Midi; Musicorum ©Ronald S; Mons Memorial Museum ©BE CULTURE; Full House - Jane Graverol, L’Afrique inconnue – La mythologie comparée, 1958 ©Sabam Belgium, photo by Steven Decroos; Cartoon Festival ©Vladimir Stankovski; Les Liaisons ©Margret Eicher; courtesy LaSemo;