What’s on this week: 26 October - 1 November

The Museum of Fantastic Art in Brussels is a spooky place any time of year – with its skulls, mummies and surreal paintings – but at Halloween it really comes into its own. Don’t miss the Halloween Festival, where monsters and trolls greet you with games and puzzles, jars of unidentified substances and a treasure hunt for missing limbs. If you do well, you’ll leave with a Witch’s Diploma. Over its 15  years, the event has spread across the Saint-Gilles municipality, so look out for the witch’s cave and the mystic train. More cool Halloween events take place across the country (see below). 28 October to 5 November, Rue Américaine 7 and across Saint-Gilles

The horse is the most-represented animal in art, featuring in cave drawings all the way up to life-size sculptures of wax, foam and horsehide produced today. The exhibition The Horse in Contemporary Art looks at how the beast is simultaneously revered and condemned to hard labour. Until 27 January, Atelier 34zero, Drève de Rivieren 334 (Jette)

La Démence is famous in Brussels for its all-night parties for gay dudes. Its 29th anniversary is being celebrated with no fewer than four parties. The opening and closing events at Fuse are already sold out, but there are still tickets for both the main event at the much larger Palais 12 and the Halloween Party, also at Fuse. 26-28, 31 October, Paleis 12, Avenue de Miramar; Fuse, Rue Blaes 208

There are still tickets available to Jimmy Carr’s show The Best of, Ultimate, Gold, Greatest Hits World Tour in Brussels. One of the world’s most famous comedians, Carr is also a huge TV and radio celebrity, thanks to British programmes like 8 Out of 10 Cats and Loose Ends. As the title suggests, he’ll be mining previous material, promising 250 jokes in 90 minutes. But he’ll also allow time for the audience interaction for which he is (in)famous. If you miss this show, he moves on to Antwerp the following night. 26 October 19.00 or 21.30, La Madeleine, Rue Duquesnoy 14

Toy trends come and go, but Lego – which turns 70 next year – has stood the test of time. Three million of the plastic bricks take over Tour & Taxis during Bricklive. Unleash your creativity in themed areas ranging from Duplo to Star Wars and a Lego safari. 27 October to 5 November, Tour & Taxis, Avenue de Port 86

Brussels has its own version of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, which ushers in the winter with a proclamation of light over darkness, good over evil. Celebrate at the Atomium, with a free festival of dance, music, food, workshops and more. 28 October 13.00-22.30, Square de l’Atomium

Pick up some bargains at a Charity Clothes Swap hosted by the Brussels-based non-profit organisation SB International. Bring any clothes and accessories you no longer need and buy others for just €3 per piece. All proceeds benefit SB, which provides aid to refugees and victims of conflict. 27 October 12.30-18.00, Piolalibri Bruxelles, Rue Franklin 66

Kate McIntosh of New Zealand is Kaaitheater’s artist-in-residence, and boy, did that turn out well. Her installation Worktable has visitors moving from room to room, with instructions, equipment, safety goggles and materials of their choice. It's up to you to decide how things come together, or apart. The hilarious performance Dark Matter, meanwhile, has her performing a variety of experiments with two clumsy assistants. Worktable: Until 28 October, Kanal Centre Pompidou, Quai des Péniches. Dark Matter: 26 October 20.30, Kaaitheater, Sainctelettesquare 20

Seventy years ago, one of Hergé’s long-time collaborators on Tintin, French comics artist Jacques Martin, created Gallo-Roman superhero Alix. His adventures, praised for their historical accuracy and attention to detail, have been translated into 15 languages, selling 12 million albums. The exhibition Alix: The Art of Jacques Martin features 150 original drawings and looks at issues including the Romans’ treatment of women and homosexuality. Until 6 January, Art & History Museum, Parc du Cinquantenaire 10

Café theatre seems like a dying breed, but you wouldn’t know if from Brussels on Stage, a festival celebrating the art form, no in its third edition. It’s bigger and better than ever, with music, comedy, theatre and poetry over 15 locations throughout November. Every tickets gets you a meal and a drink, too. 1-30 November, across Brussels

OUTSIDE  BRUSSELS

Namur’s festival of digital and creative cultures lives up to its name in every way. Kikk is where science and technology meet art, from awe-inspiring installations and parties to conferences and workshops. While there are pro events for those working in digital arts and design, there’s plenty to keep the casual observer busy. Consider talks by the New York Times’ Graham McDonnell, who creates stories for brands, or Nelly Ben Hayoun, creator of the International Space Orchestra. Or visit the market, where the whole family can discover and play with creative techie projects. 1-4 November, across Namur

Enjoy the day … fear the night. Which means you should absolutely go to Walibi at night next week for Halloween Walibi in Wavre. The amusement park presents eight haunted houses, four ‘scare zones’ and four different freaky performances, all day long. When the sun goes down, visitors are invited to stay for a more ‘intense experience’, which means the littler kids might want to head for the exit. If they still can. Until 4 November, Boulevard de l’Europe 100, Wavre (Walloon Brabant).

Over in Namur, meanwhile, the city’s imposing Citadel is the perfect location for a Halloween walk among theatrical scenes that promise ‘mysterious creatures’ and a ‘pit of lost souls’. Spiders also appear to figure heavily. But the Citadel promises this is all OK for kids. Finally, Pairi Daiza animal park in Brugelette puts on a wealth of attractions for Halloween, including a Cemetery of the Wicked, a giant spider invasion and the Ballet Macabre. There’s also a costume competition for kids and adults. Citadel: 31 October to 3 November, Route Merveilleuse 64, Namur. Pairi Daiza: 27 October to 4 November, Domaine de Cambron, Brugelette (Hainut province)

Flanders’ coastline always steps up for Halloween, with activities in many municipalities, including a Halloween Fun Fair and parade in Blankenberge, a Creepy Clown party in Knokke and a Halloween breakfast and zombie race in Ostend. That largest of coastal cities is also home to Raversyde nature park, which hosts Halloween Anno 1465 in its historical buildings. It’s less scary than it sounds, consisting of workshops for kids on baking cookies and making spooky figures, just like it was done in the middle ages. 26 October to 2 November, across Belgian coast

Photos: Halloween ©Getty Images / Kikk ©Simon Fusillier / Jimmy Carr courtesy Live Comedy / Dark Matter ©Luc Massin, courtesy Kaaitheater