What’s on this week: 20-26 September

Hop on your bike, lace up your skates or just mosey with your two legs into the middle of any old thoroughfare – it’s Car-Free Sunday. One of Brussels’ most popular events of the year, it’s the biggest car-free day in Europe. With the entire Brussels-Capital Region closed to motorised vehicles (except public transport, which is free!), it’s chock-a-bloc with events. Check out the Mobilmax Village on Place de Brouckère where you can Brunch the Street before you take part in an activity or park yourself in a lounge chair in the Chill Zone. There are many cycling and scooter safety courses (headlines would suggest that the latter is quite needed, ahem), a Stib Open-Door Day, a sustainability market and bike repair workshops. Every municipality also has its own Mobility Village. And the weather? 27 degrees, baby. 9.30-19.00, 22 September, across Brussels

Italian car manufacturer Zagato turns 100 this year, and Autoworld is celebrating with an exhibition that includes some exclusive vehicles. Along with a history of the iconic brand in images and text, feast your eyes on the 1932 Alfa Romeo 1750, a Lancia Appia, an Aston Martin DB4 and more. Until 1 December, Parc du Cinquantenaire 11

Internationals abound at the annual ING Expat Information Fair. Co-hosted by The Bulletin, the event introduces newcomers to the capital to local clubs and associations, financial planning options and info to start your own business. It’s also a great way to meet other internationals. Totally free, but register in advance. 25 September 12.00-20.00, ING, 24 Avenue Marnix

Aside from convenience, with its evening opening hours, Brussels Museums Nocturnes offers myriad extras to museum-goers. Every Thursday, a handful of museums in the capital are open late, with special tours, workshops and even dance parties. The quirkier the better, so while one museum this year plans to offer a tai chi session, another will make you part of a murder mystery. More than 70 museums take part, so it goes well beyond the usual suspects. There are activities designed for kids, too, and entry fees are also adapted: only €4 per person. Thursdays until 5 December

World Clean-up Day is a global event with plenty of local opportunities. Hit the streets, parks and roads of Belgium to help pick up trash, wipe out graffiti and powerwash some grit. Join an existing action or launch one of your own on the website. 21 September, across Brussels & Belgium

Brussels expat Gabriel Kuri criticises commerce and consumerism with his often amusing installations. In Sorted, Resorted, he mixes items from his native Mexico with local references to question the relative value of products and services. Until 1 January, Wiels, Avenue Van Volxem 354 (Forest)

After Brussels Park last year, the #SuccessDiverStory exhibition is now hanging from the railings of Wolvendael Park in Uccle. Opening on Thursday evening at 18.00, the show is part of the campaign Success Within You, which aims to overturn racial stereotypes. It comprises 18 portraits of a diverse selection of people from non-Belgian backgrounds who are successful in their professional fields. The portraits can be viewed 24/7. Guided visits can be reserved at contact@sdstory.org. Until 13 January, Avenue De Fré, near Square des Héros

The tourist board of Flemish Brabant continues its campaign to get expats crossing the Brussels border to discover its rich rewards with Guided Tours for Internationals. There are two this weekend: wine tasting at a castle vineyard and a tour of the immense Tervuren Park. Events continue in the coming months, with forests walks and brewery visits also on the agenda. Until April 2020

English Comedy Brussels is back with a new season of stand-up! This week sees British comic Jack Campbell and Matthew McAloone of Belfast taking the stage. The former specialises in brilliant one-liners, while the latter is a master of comedy storytelling, so it’s a perfect match. 24 September 20.00, Théâtre Marni, Rue de Vergnies 25 (Ixelles)

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Lessines has invented a wholly unique street arts festivals in a country where there are many: Everyone cycles from performance to performance. Spread out over 25 kilometres, the Rallye de la Petite Reine organises its audience into a peloton to discover acts in both village and countryside locations. If cycling 25 kilometres (and back) isn’t your bag, there’s also a festival bus and train. Picnic stops included. Make a weekend of it to take in the opening performance on Saturday night. 21-22 September, in and around Lessines (Hainaut)

Seriously, was there anything Leonardo Da Vinci couldn’t do? Add to scientist, painter, engineer, astronomer and botanist the title of musician. Not only did he play musical instruments – most notable the lira da braccio (the precursor to the violin) – he sketched out ideas to invent a few. This edition of Musica Divina – the Kempen leg of the region-wide Festival of Flanders – is devoted to music of Da Vinci’s time, as well as to the instruments he played. 20 September to 5 October, across Antwerp province and Flemish Brabant

Photos, from top: ©Hatim Kaghat/BELGA, ©Hidden Raven, courtesy SuccessDiverStory, courtesy Rallye de la Petite Reine