What’s on this week: 18 to 24 April

The Fashion & Lace Museum honours the pioneering Belgian fashion brand in new exhibition 40+ Years of Stijl. Not only did the label created by Sonja Noël transform the Dansaert district into a stylish and hip quarter, it helped establish Belgian ready to wear fashion on the international scene. Discover some 68 of Stijl’s most stunning designs, created by 46 different designers. Until 11 January, Rue de la Violette 12

Some 3,000 children are expected at Wolvendael Park on Saturday for this annual Easter egg hunt. Three to 12-year-olds are invited to join hourly hunts – divided into different age categories – in search of biodegradable discs that can be swapped for real organic chocolate eggs. In addition, there are six bonus eggs – gold, silver and bronze - to track down that can be exchanged at the bar for shopping vouchers. Free entrance, reservation necessary. Food trucks and stands add to the atmosphere. 19 April 10.00-15.00, Rue Rouge 47 (Uccle)

Calling all gourmets! Renowned Saint-Gilles deli Fernand Obb hooks up with artisan partners, Laurent Gerbaud chocolatier and the Brasserie Cantillon as well as a bunch of other local businesses for the 5th edition of its Croquette Hunt. In addition to the 100 prizes, each landmark location boasts 10 golden tickets for extra goodies. Register on Fernand Obb’s Instagram or Facebook pages to obtain the pre-hunt clues. 20 April from 12.00, city-centre and Saint-Gilles

Only open for a few weeks a year, Laeken’s Royal Greenhouses offer a rare spring peek into the splendid horticultural treasures. In a tradition dating back a century, thousands of varieties of plants and trees, including unusual species from the collection of King Leopold II, are on display. This was the monarch who commissioned the classical-style greenhouses and winter garden designed by illustrious Belgian architect Alphonse Balat in 1873. Explore the site via long and short walking routes around the park of the royal residence. 18 April to 11 May, Avenue du Parc Royal 61 (Laeken)

Hangar Festival returns to its Brussels canalside location for the fourth edition of the electronic music fiesta. The two-day event boasts a star line-up of 30 artists on three stages, including Alex Wann, Betical, Carlita, Cheyanne Hudson, DJ HEARTSTRING, Dr. G, Effy, Fenrick, Luka Sabbat, Maceo Plex, O’SIMMIE, ROMI, TDJ and Tess on Saturday, and Alycia Bezgo, Ampe, Bibi Seck, Christian AB b2b Quest, Daisy Weweh b2b Volpe, Disjoli, DJ Boring b2b ISAbella, Jungle (DJ Set), Lauravioli, Mall Grab, Ogazón, Softy, STDJ and ttyfal on Sunday. 19-20 April, Quai de Heembeck

Alice Gallery is in celebration mode with The 20 Years Anniversary Show staged in its new Ixelles location. The contemporary art space run by Alice van den Abeele and Raphael Cruyt – also directors of the recently closed MIMA museum – stage a group show with many of the artists who have graced their gallery over the past two decades, including Jean Jullien, Aurélie Gravas and Eric Colonel & Thomas Spit. Until 24 May, Rue Isidore Verheyen 2 (Ixelles)

Everyone’s on the move for International Dance Day on 29 April with celebrations breaking out across Belgium. The fourth edition of Danses en Fête kicks off this weekend with family-friendly and free performances throughout French-speaking regions. Professional and amateur dancers present various styles, from classical to contemporary, ballet to Bollywood. Meanwhile, the Flemish community’s 10th edition of the Day of Dance on 26 April includes the free DJ party Common Dance at La Bellone from 20.00. Until 29 April, multiple locations in Brussels, Wallonia and Flanders

The Brussels Short Film Festival is a welcome spring celebration of cinema full of dark humour, quirky characters, harsh realities and kid-like fun. Each screening of about 90 minutes gathers shorts according to different competitions and categories like Musts, Youth and a Poland Focus that offers shorts from Warsaw and Lodz film schools as well as women’s festival Elles tournent. Don’t miss free open-air screenings at Mont des Arts (pictured) on 28 and 29 April. 24 April to 3 May, across Brussels city & Ixelles

Art Brussels is the capital’s top contemporary art fair. Professionals, collectors and art enthusiasts all gather at Brussels Expo to explore some 165 galleries from 35 countries showcasing hundreds of artists, emerging and established. Among side events are solo shows and the KickCancer Collection fundraiser: unique postcard-sized works by talented artists on sale for €400. Guided tours of the fair are available in Fr & NL, there’s a series of art talks and new this year is a screening programme of video art. A kids’ corner welcomes five to 12-year-olds.  24-27 April, Halls 5 & 6, Brussels Expo, Place de la Belgique (Laeken)

Easter fun is not only for little ones. The Nine women’s club is celebrating the season with its annual Egg Hunt accompanied by a tempting Egg-stravaganza Cocktail Night. Select an aperitif from the new Mansplaining cocktail menu and go in search of surprises hidden all around the eminently elegant venue. The event is open to members and public (€5 entry). Food also available. 25 April from 18.00, Rue Archimède 69

Book now Queer Legacy. Tickets are now on sale for this new show by Cabaret Mademoiselle specially created for Brussels Pride 2025. The original work features a host of drag artists, including La Veuve and Alvilda, and highlights queer cultural heritage in a location already steeped in history. 15 May 19.00 & 21.00, City Hall, Grand Place

Outside Brussels

Fans of colourful folklore traditions are heading to the Walloon capital for the 27th edition of FolkNam. Activities include an artisan market in Namur’s main square Place d’Armes and an afternoon procession through city-centre streets from 14.00. Joining the parade are famed stilt walkers Les Echasseurs. Place Maurice Servais stages a concert and a final procession ‘rondo’. 19 April 10.00-18.00, Namur city-centre

At the heart of the exhibition Pulsations. Visages d’une Cité is a sensitive and intimate look at not only the city of Mons but other modern towns shaped by their challenging history. Some 40 artists present their works, along with historical and contemporary objects, which explore themes such as memory, the importance of water, housing and spiritual life. Also on show is Les registres du Grand-Hornu by French artist Christian Boltanski who died in 2021. Until 17 August, Fine Arts Museum (CAP), Rue Neuve, Mons

Off to the Belgian coast this Easter weekend? Don’t miss the annual firework display  in the skies above De Panne on Sunday evening. The pyrotechnic show in Leopold I Esplanade is repeated on 3 May. The resort also hosts a scavenger hunt for kids until 11 May. 20 April 22.00, De Panne (West Flanders)

Rare and collectors’ plants are the star of the show at La Feuillerie’s spring Fête des Plantes  in the beautiful, landscaped 1.5-hectare park in Celles, near Tournai. It is followed by three other themed events during the year, including flowering rhododendrons and azaleas on 11 May, hortensias on 13 July and autumn plants on 20 & 21 September. Expect a bounty of rare specialist plants, trees, shrubs and bulbs. 19-20 April, Rue de la Feuillerie 1, Celles (Hainaut)

Explore Leuven’s heritage centre this spring in Hear Here, a sound art tour along various indoor and outdoor locations. Sound installation by local and pioneering international artists interact with their surroundings. This edition focuses on his­to­ri­cal uni­ver­si­ty buil­dings – with several exceptionally open to the public – as part of KU Leuven’s 600th anni­vers­a­ry celebrations. They include Pneumatic Sound Field (pictured) by Edwin van der Heide, in which 42 valves provide aural fireworks. 24 April to 9 June, across Leuven

The Afrika Film Festival is a chance to see some great cinema from Africa and the diaspora that may have not made it into Belgium’s cinemas. The opening film Ernest Cole: Lost and Found is a documentary by Raoul Peck about the South African photographer who was the first to expose the horrors of apartheid to a global audience. The festival also includes an exhibition (pictured), an awards night and music. 24-27 April, across Leuven

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

Photos: Stijl-Fashion and Lace Museum (main image) ©Marc Detiffe; Laeken ©Karin Borghouts; Art Brussels ©David Plas; Mons Pulsations Ruby Frazier LaToya - Flenu Borinage, Degobert (P) 2017; Hear Here 2025 KADOC tuin Edwin Van der Heide