What’s on this week: 16 to 22 May

Pride Week reigns in the capital of Europe culminating in the big Pride parade and festival on 17 May (starting at 14.30). Check out the Rainbow Village in the Saint-Jacques neighbourhood and spot the Manneken-Pis dressed up in a special costume for the occasion. On the entertainment front, Belgian LGBTQIA+ and ally artists  grace the stage at Mont des Arts, including Red D feat Lady Linn & Gustaph, Rokia Bamba and Potiche meets Cabaret Mademoiselle. The theme for this year’s event is ‘Unite, time to protect our rights’. Until 17 May, across Brussels

In the gastronomical spotlight this weekend is the 4th edition of StrEat Fest at Tour & Taxis. Some 75 chefs from all over Belgium will be showing off their culinary skills, while street food, Mexican cuisine and inspiring women all feature in the programme this year. Under the spotlight are 16 female chefs who are shaking up the street food scene with their bold creations. On the festival’s menu are delicious dishes, recipes designed to surprise and delight, as well as masterclasses and participatory workshops led by passionate experts. 16-18 May, Avenue du Port 86C

The 4th edition of Cemeteries’ Spring honours Art Deco heritage with multiple free guided tours and walks, including two in English at 13.30. The Brussels Cemetery in Evere is spread over 38 hectares and boasts impressive monuments, lush greenery and plenty of hidden stories. The spring event is a rare opportunity to discover funerary heritage and Art Deco treasures scattered across the site. Individual visits an option with a map and for families there is an activity trail. Reservations via email before 16 May: cjs.booking-musea@brucity.be. 17-8 May 9.30-17.00, Avenue du Cimitière de Bruxelles (Evere)

Brussels’ Art Deco centenary programme rolls on with a welcome focus on the style movement’s design motifs at the Horta Museum. The exhibition 100 motifs, (g)een motief, all over reveals how motifs, colours, decorations and ornaments evolved and transformed between 1910 and 1940. The aim of this small but rich and diverse display is to show how Art Deco was a far more diverse style than is commonly thought. The selection of fabric patterns, wall papers and textiles is inspiring and the 1923 French video film L’Inhumaine showing off stylish interiors from the era is spellbinding. Until 2 November, Rue Américaine 27 (Saint-Gilles)

The capital travels back to the Middle Ages for the annual Brussels Renaissance Festival, which kicks off on Sunday. For 2025, the colourful festival is spreading its programme over three weeks. Get ready for a series of events about European heritage and Brussels history during the particularly prosperous and eventful period under Charles V. Highlights are the reopening of the Royal Library (KBR) , the Family Day at Coudenberg Palace and of course the famous and flamboyant Ommegang festivities in the Grand Place (2-4 July). Until 5 July, various locations in the city-centre

Coudenberg Family Day is one of the first events of the three-week Brussels Renaissance Festival. The popular event is a dive underground in the remains of Charles V's Palace beneath the Place Royale to explore Brussels' illustrious Renaissance past. Pparticipants can transform themselves into a crossbowman, a lady of the court or giant-carrying knight, or fire a crossbow or wield a sword. 18 May 10.00-18.00, Place Royale

The Art & History Museum temporarily welcomes a shiny new textile work set in the middle of its masterpiece collection of 16th-century tapestries woven in Brussels. The dazzling contemporary fabric collage by renowned Polish-Romani artist Malgorzata Mirga-Tas is filled with intimate and joyful scenes of Romani women and children. Entitled Sawore, Sawore, Sawore (Everything, everything, everything), it is a final element of the EU Council Polish Presidency cultural programme and injects a critical perspective on migration policies and minority discrimination. Until  30 June, Cinquantenaire Park 11

Enjoy a guided tour this Sunday of Art et Marges’ new show Aussi Loin Qu’Ici or join the atelier of photographer Nick Verhaeghe, one of the participating 40 artists, on 24 May. The variety of styles, forms and materials here is endless. Scenes of cities, villages and maps galore take you away from daily life. Do not miss Mark Anthony Mulligan’s charming drawings of imaginary towns or Gerard Van Lankveld’s intriguing papal images. There is even a plasticine-like train and painted shoes. Until 2 November, Rue Haute 314

Peter Downsbrough and Ann Veronica Janssens are just two artists printmaker and publisher Bruno Robbe has worked with over the last 25 years. Some 50 others represented in the exhibition include Charlotte Beaudry and Bertrand Bélin. Wittockiana is giving carte blanche to this surprising printer and his unique work. All exhibits originate from Robbe’s Frameries (Hainaut) ‘image laboratory’ – in operation since 1950 and bequeathed by his grandfather. In addition, Robbe has invited one of his accomplices, Boris Beaucarne, to present a selection of books and prints produced in the famous studio. Until 25 September, Rue du Bemel 23 (Woluwe-Saint-Pierre)

Outside Brussels

The biggest cultural event dedicated to contemporary ceramics kicks off in the Walloon town of Andenne this weekend. Perspectives Festival is the new name for the Triennial event, which incorporates seven exhibitions and various activities in collaboration with other cultural partners in the province of Namur and beyond. Organised by Ceramic Art Andenne, the festival gathers 100 artists working in the medium of ceramics. 17 May to 15 June, Rue de la Papeterie 2A, Andenne, and other locations

The sustainable development festival HOPE celebrates its 10th edition in Namur on Sunday. On the menu are 100 planet-positive projects, talks, workshops, a food market, outdoor kids’ playground and more. The aim of the event is promote and raise awareness of sustainable actions. 18 May, Arsenal, Rue Bruno 11, Namur

The first edition of the Antwerp Design Market fills the emblematic Waagnatie halls, a beautiful Brutalist site located on the banks of the Scheldt in the heart of the city. With 120 carefully-selected exhibitors, some 8,000 collectors and  design enthusiasts are expected for the inaugural event in the 10,000 m² space. The new design event is courtesy of the organisers of the long-running Brussels Design Market. 17-18 May, Waagnatie Rijnkaai, Antwerp

KU Leuven celebrates its 600th anniversary with a year-long programme of activities and  events. They include a new Art and science called And So, Change Comes in Waves with 16 artworks located in and around the city. For the route’s inauguration on 17 May, artists, poets, curators and scientists share the stories behind the installations in talks and live performances, while guided tours are conducted in Dutch and English. Pictured: installation by Sammy Baloji. From 17 May 10.00-18.00, Museum Hall, University Hall, Naamsestraat 22

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

Photos: (main image) Pride Festival; Hortamuseum ©Thomas Lancz; Coudenberg ©Véronique Evrard; Art & History Museum © BE CULTURE; Leuven Sammy Baloji