What’s on this week: 13 to 19 December

The Winter Pop festive caravan moves to Square Ambiorix in the EU Quarter this weekend. A neighbourhood offshoot of Winter Wonders, its programme transforms different squares into a party place for all ages with concerts, choirs, film screenings, performances, fire shows, festive walks, face painting and association stands. Glowing braziers, bright lights, appetising edibles and warming drinks add to the atmosphere. 13-15 December, Square Ambiorix

Some 12 artists with lived experience from across the continent display their work in this European Art and Mental Health Exhibition. The show spotlights community arts and mental health, while examining what shapes our mental health. It also serves as a call for action on the future of arts, culture, and mental health in our society. Accompanying the exhibition is a free guided meditation session by the ‘Towards Braver Spaces’ collective that is open to the public on 12 December at 12.30, plus a film screening on Sunday afternoon. Until 15 December, Talk C.E.C, Chaussée de Wavre 143 (Ixelles)

The Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra’s Christmas Happiness Symphony Concert evokes the festive spirit in every musical note. Musicians perform a world premiere of Adinkra, are joined by rising international star, Hong Kong violinist Joe Kwok, in Max Bruch's famous violin concerto No 1, and entertains with a series of carols. 14 December 20.15, Eglise Saint-Jean-Berchmans (Etterbeek)

Pick up some pre-loved books at Serve the City’s 2nd hand English book sale at the Vineyard indoor venue on Saturday. All proceeds go to Serve the City, who provide support to vulnerable people in Belgium, including refugees and asylum seekers, children in need, elderly people and others. You can even drop off some of your own stash of old books from 10.00 to 12.00 - no CDs or  DVDs. 14 December 10.00-15.30, Boulevard du Souverain 220 (Auderghem)

Following a sell-out evening show, English Comedy Brussels has added a matinee performance for Northern Irish comedian Shane Todd at The Black Sheep pub on Saturday afternoon. The renowned comic, actor, presenter and podcaster – host of Tea With Me – presents his brand-new laughter-packed show Full House. Note: the venue operates a cash-only policy. 14 December 16.00, Chaussée de Boondael 8 (Ixelles)

Experience an extraordinary musical journey to the famous ‘Hallelujah’ and beyond at Brussels Choral Society’s Händel's Messiah concert at Bozar on Saturday evening. The choir joins the Ensemble Orchestral de Bruxelles under the baton of Eric Delson for the performance of one of the best-known and popular choral pieces. 14 Saturday 20.00, Rue Ravenstein

An orchestra of international musicians and a choir of multi-lingual schoolchildren come together for Brussels Carol Concert, a holiday season highlight in the capital. With the Winter Dreams Orchestra conducted by David Navarro Turres, Mary Gow on piano and organ, the concert brings together well-loved holiday carols - not excluding a bit of sing-along - with this year’s guest soloist Emma Watkinson. Proceeds go to the Foetal Medicine Centre at Brugmann children’s hospital. 15 December 17.00, Eglise St Marc, Avenue De Fré 76 (Uccle)

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at the Anglican Holy Trinity Brussels church on 15 December is followed by Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services, along with a special watchnight service on 31 December. 15 December 15.00 & 19.00; 17 December 19.00; 24 December 16.00 & 22.00; 25 December 9.00 & 10.30; 15.00 Community service (in Eng & Fr), Rue Capitaine Crespel 29 (Ixelles)

Let it Slow! That’s the slogan of eco-friendly village Be-Here and Greenbizz, who together stage a Christmas Market with locally produced gifts, food and drink. Hosted at the former’s glass-covered sustainable hub behind Tour & Taxis, this is a family-friendly gathering with all the trimmings – ethical stocking fillers, live music, kids’ activities, festive decor, warm drinks and seasonal bites. Santa puts in an appearance on Friday from 15.00 to 18.00. 13-14 December: Friday 15.00-21.30; Saturday 11.00-18.00, Be-Here Rue Dieudonné Lefèvre 4

The Continental Winter Market returns to Place de Brouckère for its second edition. Local and artisan products, original hand-made jewellery and ceramics, knitted accessories, chocolate and tasty winter drinks and snacks are sure to attract city-centre crowds. 13-16 December, Place de Brouckère (next to ice rink)

The most popular seasonal market in Auderghem can be found in the lovely setting of the ancient abbey farm of Rouge-Cloître. Its Christmas Village with 40 stands is filled with artworks and artisan goodies. Don’t miss the craft skills on display and entertainment activities designed for all ages. Father Christmas arrives on his sled carriage each day at 17.00. 14-15 December 11.00-18.00, Rouge-Cloître art centre and farm (Auderghem)

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. 14 December 10.00-17.00, Rue Joseph II 79 

There’s hardly a better venue for digital art than the spheres of the Atomium, and Brussels artist Antoine Goldschmidt uses them to their full potential in Echoes of Distant Lights. Bouncing laser light and sound around the unique spaces, Goldschmidt takes us on a visual and auditory journey to the heart of the cosmos. 18 December to 4 January 2026, Place de l’Atomium 1

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

The Ardennes town of Bastogne welcomes thousands of visitors to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the famous Battle of the Bulge at its annual Nuts! weekend. In what is likely to be the last large-scale commemoration of WWII in Belgium with living veterans in attendance, the special anniversary programme includes a visit by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium on 14 December. The is named after the famous retort by US army Brigadier General McAuliffe, who when asked to surrender or be annihilated by massed artillery, responded, “Nuts!”. Re-enactments, memorial services, free evening sound and light show and exhibitions are staged in museums and across the town. 13-15 December, multiple venues, Bastogne (Luxembourg province)

A festive celebration of classical music is on the menu at Namur Concert Hall’s piano festival Steinway Xmas Days. A series of six concerts and other activities are an occasion to hear the venue’s two exceptional pianos: a Chris Maene Straight Strung Concert Grand as well as a Steinway. On the programme are virtuoso pianists performing a range of music from Andalusian and Cuban sounds to Schubert and Rachmaninov The recently-renovated major concert hall boasts exceptional acoustics.16-21 December, Rue Rogier 82, Namur

More than 50 chalets fill Charleroi’s traditional Christmas Village. A series of Pop Up Chalets invites new artisans to ply gifts and delicious fare each week, from Christmas cookies and home-made chocolate to pastries and charcuterie. An ice rink graces Place Verte and offers skating lessons plus initiation to artistic skating. The rink also welcomes 20 chalets, adding to the festive bonhomie. Until 31 December, Place de la Digue (Christmas village); until 5 January, Place Verte (ice skating), Charleroi

Producing his work in the first half of the 20th century, Constant Permeke was a leading Belgian expressionist. His paintings often take centre stage, but the museum dedicated to this Ostend artist is putting some 40 of his sculptures on show in the exhibition Down to Earth. To put it all into context, works by several of his contemporaries are also here, including French artist Aristide Maillol and Russian-born sculptor Ossip Zadkine. Until 21 April, Permeke Museum, Gistelsteenweg 341, Jabbeke (West Flanders)

Studio Brussels’ annual Warmste Week fundraiser is in full swing, with people everywhere raising money in all manner of ways to support organizations that address this year’s theme: loneliness. Some half of all people in Flanders report feeling lonely all or some of the time. The Warmste Week culminates in a series of free open-air concerts and DJs in the week leading up to Christmas. Citizens will also approach the stage to turn in the funds they have raised. 18-24 December, ’t Zand, Bruges

Mechelen Houdt Je Warm (Mechelen Keeps You Warm) lives up to its name with a series of Fire and Flame festivals in the centre of town as well as outlying districts at weekends. Chalets are dotted in various locations of the city and are joined by community initiative stands. For the weekend of 13 to 15 December, a number of additional markets enliven the centre, including an awareness- and fund-raising drive for development projects in the Global South. Naturally, there are also plenty of winter bars and winter walks along the river and in local parks. 29 November to 22 December, across Mechelen

Ostend boasts a full winter programme including a Christmas market on the Wapenplein with its landmark 19th-century music pavilion, plus a market in Leopold Park. The traditional Winter in the Park can also be found in Leopold Park, where the skating rink is on a real pond surrounded by some 50 festive wooden chalets. During the holidays, there are special activities for children. 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. Until 5 January, across central Ostend

Get tickets now: John Cleese  Tickets are nearly sold out for British actor and comedian John Cleese’s one-man show Last Time to See Me Before I Die. At 85, he might just mean it, so don’t miss this chance to hear the inimitable star of Monty Python and Fawlty Towers deliver his irreverent take on life (and death). 12 May, Stadsschouwburg, Nieuwstad 1, Antwerp

Discover more upcoming events at The Bulletin's events page and don’t miss our bumper guide to Christmas markets in Belgium and family shows, music and light festivals.

Photos: (main image) Winter Pop ©City of Brussels; Brussels Choral Society © Ivan Yohan; Permeke Museum Archive, Mu.ZEE Ostend; Warmste Week ©Jokko, City of Bruges