What’s on this week: 19 to 25 July

Belgium celebrates its national day on 21 July with colourful activities around the country. In the capital, the festivities start with the popular evening National Ball on Saturday from 19.00 in Place du Jeu de Balle, which is also the scene of the Resto National (main image) and traditional musical entertainment on Sunday from 17.00. The annual civil and military parade on 21 July begins at 16.00 opposite the royal palace, while Brussels park and Place Poelaert is filled with stands and activities, including demonstrations by police and firefighters. The party continues in Cinquantenaire park with a concert by 10 Belgian artists at 21.00, and at midnight, a laser and drone light show and firework display from the site’s esplanade and arcades. 20 & 21 July, multiple locations in the city centre

Raise your eyes to catch a sight of St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral’s grand organ. Known as a “swallow’s nest organ”, it is mounted high on the wall in order to optimise the acoustics in the gothic building. The cathedral shows off its organ’s sublime sound during Ars in Cathedrali, a series of weekly summer concerts every Tuesday evening (and Monday 26 August). Until 26 August, Esplanade de la Sinte-Gudule

One of the most popular jazz singers on the club and festival circuit is Mandy Gaines (pictured), with Belgium and France particularly big fans of her enduring American songbook. She performs with a trio at The Music Village on 19 July, offering up her renditions of works by Cole Porter, Gershwin and Johnny Mercer, to name a few. If the weather has got you rethinking music festivals right about now, The Music Village jazz club has plenty on the programme this summer, including Sarah Letor, Adam Hall & The Velvet Playboys and the Guillaume Gillain Quartet. Rue des Pierres 50

Families can immerse themselves in medieval fantasy at the adventure nature park Sortilège. Located in Bois des Beguines on the edge of the capital, the three-hour game for children and their parents - or groups of friends - involves a mission by a prince who is in search of knights. During the urban forest trail, participants will meet various fantasy characters. Situated opposite the Ferme nos Pilifs; reservation necessary. Until 3 November, Trassersweg 345 (Neder-over-Hembeek)

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Gentse Feesten is the largest outdoor theatre and music festival in Europe. The sprawling 10-day event occupies numerous stages in parks and squares with concerts, performances and  street theatre, but it goes far beyond that. You’ll find food, guided tours, boat trips, circus acts, exhibitions, readings, sport and endless other curiosities day and night. Create a schedule from the detailed programme or simply play it by ear and let it surprise you. 19-28 July, across Ghent

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)

The 16th-century Ooidonk Castle is little known, hidden behind dense foliage on a rural road in East Flanders. Even less known is the Goed Te Réables, the farmhouses down the street once associated with the castle. The 17th-century buildings and grounds are an idyllic setting for Ooidonk Art Festival, where more than 20 contemporary artists have created in situ installations. Open only at weekends, there is also a pop up bar and restaurant (reservations required). The castle itself offers guided tours at weekends, also by reservation. 20 July to 15 September, Ooidonkdreef 5, Deinze

There is Jungle Jump, and then there is Mega Jungle Jump – where the bouncy castles, slides and all other manner of inflatable play structures – double in number. This pop-up playground is deliriously fun for children from 2 to 14. Anyone older than 14 gets in for free to laze around and order drinks while the littles entertain themselves to their heart’s content. 20 July to 25 August, across Flanders

Take in a Candlelight Concert in any of Belgium’s larger cities this summer, as the popularity of these unique ways to discover and enjoy orchestral music means there are plenty of them. Classical musicians offer themed shows, from Vivaldi to Hans Zimmer to Coldplay. They are surrounded by candles – though for safety reasons they are electrically powered rather than the real thing. Still, the venues and moody lighting make for an otherworldly atmosphere. 25 July to 12 October, across Belgium

Freely adapted from Lewis Carroll’s fantastical tale Alice in Wonderland, the D3 Drama Company presents Alice au Pays des Merveilles at Rixensart château. The outdoor summer theatre is designed to entertain all ages. Until 17 August, Rue de l’Eglise 40, Rixensart

Giant creatures invade the city of Namur in an original outdoor art tour this summer. Liège artist Maxime Gesquière, alias Kalbut, has created a series of animal sculptures for Sculptures dans la Ville, including Hector the beaver, Gérard the fox, Victor the woodpecker and Didier drone bee… A total of nine local creatures have been fabricated from recycled materials and grace squares and gardens. Until 4 September, multiple locations Namur city centre

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) ©Visit.brussels; courtesy Gense feesten; Ooidonk Art Festival ©Hanneke-Beaumont, photo by Cedric Verhelst; Rixensart château ©Aude Van Laethem