What’s on this week: 13 to 19 June

What does together mean?/’Ensemble c’est quoi’ is the theme of this year’s enchanting Park Poétik . Myriad family friendly events, from poetry, spectacles, music and local radio, to guided walks, street theatre and workshops are staged in parks, streets and gardens all around Saint-Gilles and Forest, including Place Morichar, Parc Pierre Paulus and neighbourhood parks. The totally free festival kicks off with a festive parade at 14.00 on 13 June, starting from Park Marconi in Forest. Until 6 September, various outdoor locations in Saint-Gilles and Forest

The Art & History Museum proudly opens the doors to its new Art Nouveau, Art Deco and 19th-century decorative art galleries by offering free admission for the inaugural weekend. Discover a treasure trove of Belgian craftsmanship that once elevated elegant interiors, from fine furniture and stylish objects to tapestries and tableware. The shining centrepiece is a Horta-designed winter garden (pictured above) that miraculously survived after being dismantled in the 1960s and has now been carefully restored and reassembled. 13-15 June, Parc du Cinquantenaire 10

Vaux-Hall Summer kicks off with a free and vibrant cultural programme of dance, music, circus, cabaret, cinema and games in Brussels Park. Located in the renovated historic building behind Théâtre du Parc, it hosts evening events staged by various cultural institutions in the capital to show off the diversity of arts while also promoting rising talents. Among the opening events are emerging music from Fifty Session, acoustic sounds, a movie night showing Camping du Lac on Friday evening, dance and performance, plus Sunday games. Until 13 July, Thurs-Sun, Vaux-Hall, Rue de la Loi 3, Brussels Park

Jules Verne 200 is a new immersive exhibition at Horta Gallery dedicated to the futuristic world of 19th century French writer Jules Vernes. The early celebration of the bicentenary of his birth in 2028 offers a blend of virtual reality, large-scale 360° projections and an exploration of the metaverse. It explores his five most popular novels including Journey to the Centre of the Earth, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Around the World in 80 Days. Until the autumn, Rue du Marché aux Herbes 116  

Festival Mosaïques is a multi-generational festival that showcases musical creation, modernity and today’s creators. This special music event is the brainchild of composer Martin Loridan and clarinettist Benjamin Maneyrol who have created an early summer event to suit all audiences, focusing on ‘the new music of our time’. It opens on 12 June with a fascinating free piano and cello electronic concert, Solar Winds (pictured), using recordings from earth magnetic fields and solar winds. Other delights include the Ensemble Sturm und Klang and the Trio Odradek. Until 15 June, Maison du Peuple, Parvis du Saint-Gilles 37 (Saint-Gilles)

Lend your support 19 local design brands at the Brussels Fashion Sales at Halles Saint-Géry on Friday and Saturday. Clothing, jewellery, accessories, one-of-a-kind pieces and prototypes — are all on sale at affordable prices. For sewing fans, there is an exclusive designer fabric sale. Bonus: visit the Art Deco 1925 >< Fashion 2025 exhibition that is currently showing at the venue. 13-14 June 11.00-19.00, Place Saint-Géry

Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra performs Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending, Ravel’s Tzigane and Sibelius’ Symphony No 5 on Saturday evening. David Navarro-Turres conducts the orchestra, which is accompanied by solo violinist Saténik Khourdoian. 14 June 20.00, Novum Theatre, Rue Père Eudore Devroye 2 (Etterbeek)

Do you want to learn more about the capital’s dialect Brusseleer/Bruxellois? Come along to a free talk at the Press Club led by local expert Claude Lammens, who has proudly translated Shakespearean English to Brusseleer. The discussion will be in English, French and Brusseleer and there’s even a quiz to test your knowledge of words such la drache! 13 June 18.30-20.00, Rue Froissart 95 

If you’re juggling various roles in your life – mother, partner, caregiver, friend – take a meaningful pause and explore practical mindfulness techniques at this Mindful Living Workshop organised by the Brussels Women’s Club. Fee: €29 BWC members, €39 non-members, which includes coffee, tea and home-made cakes. Facilitated by Weronika Kontykiewicz-Biel, certified Well-being Coach and Reiki Usui Healer. 14 June 10.30-12.30, Rue au Bois 509 (Woluwe Saint-Pierre)

Let This Darkness Be a Bell Tower is a free poetic, sonic and culinary installation that provides a connection between the Saint-Gilles neighbourhood and its iconic prison. Inspired by Rainer Maria Rilke’s poem, the work combines carillon, electronic composition (by Raphaël Vens), slam poetry (Huguette Izobimpa), and storytelling (Marie-Rose Meysman). It is delivered via headphones for an intimate yet collective experience. Presented by Brussels creatives Les Passagées, there is a culinary interpretation of the poem by Michelin-starred chef Nicolas Decloedt of Humus x Hortense and support for Bibliotheque Suspendue, the social project that curates books for prisoners. 15 June 11.00-18.00, Place Antoine Delporte (Saint-Gilles)

The ninth edition of Midsummer Mozartiade is a week-long series of musical performances, staged principally in the historic Théâtre Royal des Galeries  and Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert). This year’s opera is Così fan tutti with the Royal Chamber Orchestra of Wallonia is staged by Eric Gobin and directed by Vahan Mardirossian (18, 20 & 22 June). Another highlight is a concert performing Brahms’ Liebeslieder Walzer (21 June). 17-22 June, Galerie du Roi 32

Le Baixu music club returns to its Brazilian roots with an evening dedicated to the country’s popular music MPB roda with Renato Martins and Flavio Maciel de Souza. The name evokes the circle of musicians who perform on various instruments such as the guitar, cavaquinho, keyboard, percussion and piano, who are often joined by singers. MPB encompasses a variety of styles and influences, including bossa nova, samba, baiao and tropicalismo The style is appreciated for its poetic lyrics and catchy melodies. 17 June, Rue Picard 3, Shed 1, Tour & Taxis

The sounds of summer: Fete de la Musique celebrates the solstice with dozens of musical concerts and DJ sets across Brussels and Wallonia. Since 1985, the French-community festival has promoted its artists and musicians in indoor and outdoor venues in each of its provinces. In the capital, Cinquantenaire park is the main hub (20-21 June) with Experimental Tropic Blues Band and Zombie Zombie among the line-up on Friday and Peet and Nicolas Michaux on Saturday. Food trucks, bars and kids’ activities will also keep crowds happy. Check out the vast programme for more information. 19-22 June, multiple locations in Brussels and Wallonia

The Restless Brussels team tackles the topic of insecurity in our neighbourhoods in this discussion with VUB. A group of experts from the university talk about current trends in crime and security, explore what’s driving the growing sense of insecurity and discuss what can be done about it. Register here. 17 June, 19.00-20.30 (doors open 18.30), Room A.003, USquare – Bâtiment AC, Boulevard Général Jacques 210A (Ixelles) 

Book now: Full Circle Ideas Salon with Misha Glenny. The UK journalist and author discusses Global Trade Upheaval: On trade, tech, tariffs & where the EU's interest lies. At a critical time for the world economy, Trump’s ‘reciprocal tariffs’ announcement has plunged the world financial system into chaos. Is there a path to trade peace and de-escalation, or could things get even worse questions the specialist in southeast Europe, global organised crime, and cybersecurity. 20 June 18.30-20.30, Full Circle House, Chaussée de Vleurgat 89 (Ixelles)

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Is it time to clear out your bookshelves or stock up with reading material? Bookworms can do both at Serve the City’s Second Hand English Book Sale at Stonemanor on Saturday. Browse fiction titles, non-fiction and children’s books in the carpark of the British grocery store. 14 June 10.00-15.30 (book donations from 10.00 to 12.00), Steenhofstraat 28, Everberg

Experience an evening of rhythms and vibrant melodies when the Bruocsella Symphony Orchestra performs a diverse programme blending classical charm, folk-inspired beauty, and contemporary brilliance. Under the direction of David Miller, the orchestra brings to life an impressive range of symphonic dance compositions to captivate both connoisseurs and novices. 14 June 19.30, De Warandepoort, Market 7B, Tervuren

Familiarly known as the Doudou, the city of Mons’ annual Ducasse folklore celebration reaches its colourful climax this weekend. The Unesco-recognised festival highlights includes processions and the famous combat – the Lumeçon – between St George and the dragon. Dating from the Middle Ages it’s a riotous attraction, accompanied by a full programme of festivities spread over 10 days, including concerts in the Grand Place. 15 June, city centre, Mons

Enjoy contemporary art in Antwerp with M HKA’s new show The Geopolitics of Infrastructure. Contemporary Perspectives. It brings together some 15 artists to “consider the enchantment and power relations of infrastructure”. A selection of art, installations and film also consider the “possibilities of artistic imagination in conceptualising new and alternative infrastructural models”. Do not miss the 12 June free ‘festive opening’, with the chance to catch other shows on Antwerp’s radical King Kong cultural centre and Panamarenko’s Journey to the Stars. Until 21 September, Leuvenstraat 32, Antwerp

On the eve of its 50th anniversary, the International Museum of Carnival and Masks in Binche has changed its name to MUMASK, the Museum of Masks and Carnival. It heralds a new identity for an institution dedicated to the town’s world famous carnival heritage. A new permanent exhibition dedicated to masks, Perspectives on the Collections opens to the public following months of renovation work. It features a modern, interactive, and immersive scenography. From 14 June, Rue Saint-Moustier 10, Binche (Hainaut)

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

Photos: (main image) courtesy Park Poetik; Art & History Museum ©Be Culture; Vaux Hall ©Eric Danhier; Jules Verne ©Layers of Reality; courtesy Fête de la Musique; courtesy Stonemanor; MUMASK