What’s on this week: 30 April to 7 May

Celebrate International Jazz Day with concerts highlighting the diversity and vitality of the musical genre. From intimate club gigs to larger performances, the programme brings together local and international artists, reflecting jazz’s global reach and cultural significance. Expect a festive atmosphere and a wide range of styles, from classic to contemporary. Pictured: Monsieur Saxo: Un profil de génie at Musée Charlier. 30 April, venues across Brussels and Belgium

May Day on Friday is not only a public holiday, it’s an international worker’s day. Each year, the trade union FGTB-ABVV Brussels stages a programme of free concerts, debates and a village full of association stands and activities for all the family in the Mont des Arts quarter. Music performances in Place Albertine include Anti-Skapitalista, Achille & Tmoin and Hypercontent, along with DJ collective. The event usually attracts some 15,000 visitors each year. 1 May 13.00-20.00, Mont des Arts

Dance into spring at Play Label Open Air Poelaert, an open-air electronic music gathering set against the panoramic backdrop of Place Poelaert. Expect sets from a variety of DJ’s, a vibrant crowd and a festive atmosphere as Brussels’ electronic scene takes over one of the city’s most iconic viewpoints. 2 May, Place Poelaert

Comic Con Brussels returns with a packed spring edition celebrating pop culture in all its forms. Fans can meet major international guests including Aaron Paul, Grant Gustin, Jennifer Beals, Katee Sackhoff, Misha Collins, Bryce Dallas Howard and Jennifer Morrison. Alongside celebrity panels and autograph sessions, visitors can explore artist alleys, gaming zones, cosplay competitions and merchandise stands. From film and TV to comics and fantasy, this lively convention offers an immersive experience for fans of all ages. 2-3 May, Tour & Taxis, Avenue du Port 86C

Les Volumineuses Vol.11 returns to Botanique with a bold, eclectic line-up celebrating women and non-binary artists in music. Blending experimental sounds, pop, electronic and performance, the event showcases emerging and established acts in an inclusive, high-energy setting that challenges norms and amplifies underrepresented voices. 2-3 May, Botanique, Rue Royale 236 (Saint-Josse)

All aboard the Waterbus! The capital’s canal service launches on 1 May, ferrying passengers for the spring-summer season along the Zenne between Sainctelette and Vilvoorde. With the trip taking around one hour and including five stops (all connected to public transport), it’s popular with commuters, tourists and day trippers, as well as cyclists who can take their bikes on to the boat and cycle back. At weekends, the company offers themed trips and cruises. Tickets cost €3.50. Advance booking necessary. 1 May to 31 October, Quai des Péniches (Brussels) and Steenkaai (Vilvoorde)

The bicentenary celebrations of the iconic Belgian glass and crystal manufacturer continue with this new exhibition Val Saint Lambert & Design staged at the Design Museum Brussels. It focuses on the innovative dialogue between craftsmanship and design, and in particular the highly creative period from Expo 58 to the early 2000s. The show also examines the role of Studio Crystal and its bold designs that was launched in 1989. Until 25 October, Place de la Belgique 1 (Laeken)

Belfius Art Gallery opens Unlocked, The Art of Possibility, an exhibition exploring the creative process from first idea to finished work. Drawing on its own extensive collections, the show brings together major Belgian artists including James Ensor and Panamarenko, alongside contemporary voices. Through diverse works, the exhibition reflects on imagination, experimentation and the resilience behind artistic creation, inviting visitors to look beyond the final result and into the journey behind it. Until 12 December, Belfius Art Gallery, Place Rogier 11

Full Circle is standing up for democracy by staging an action at Schuman roundabout every first Tuesday of the month. WAF CAFF, the Women against Fascism group’s monthly meet ups – complete with coffee and conversation – each focus on a different issue, highlighting rights and freedoms at risk. “No need to book, just drop by,” says the Brussels ideas, social and cultural organisation.  5 May 12.15-13.15, Schuman roundabout

Victor Horta’s Maison Autrique, his first Art Nouveau house built 1893, is an ideal setting for an exhibition about homes. Houses in Comic Strips explores the idea of house and home through eight graphic artists, including Baudouin Deville and Patrick Weber’s story of the Maison du Peuple’s destruction and Jeroen Janssen’s haunting images of the ghost village of Doel. Each artist explains their approach in videos playing in the salon. This is also another opportunity to enjoy François Schuiten’s vision of Horta’s masterpiece as a living entity, not a machine for living, from well-stocked kitchen to scary attic space. Until 7 March, Chaussée de Haecht 266 (Schaerbeek)

Book now Brussels literary house Passa Porta stages a number of upcoming English-language talks and events, some in collaboration with Espace Magh. They include an artistic and literary programme curated by Palestinian poet Ahmed Saleh centred on the Arabic word for home: Rihla: What Does Home Mean?  It features a performance by two Palestinian writers, Asmaa Azaizeh and Rasha Hilwi, that reflects on exile, identity, friendship and the impact of displacement and conflict. 8 May 20.00, Espace Magh, Rue Poinçon 17

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

More than 30 castles and stately homes across Wallonia open their doors for free on 1 May. The initiative La Vie de Château en famille is aimed at families and schools but includes activities for all ages. From exhibitions and concerts to themed workshops offering crafts, stained-glass decoration and engraving, this is a perfect event to immerse yourself in the history and culture of the region. Although the event is free, it is necessary to reserve some activities in advance. 1 May, across Wallonia

The enchanting Cistercian abbey and its seven-hectare English-landscaped park, Les Jardins d’Aywiers, hosts this popular event in gardeners’ calendars. Some 200 professional nurseries, landscape gardeners and other experts are on hand to advise you with your garden for this 34th edition. There are also visits of the abbey, a variety of workshops and talks and kids’ activities. 1-3 May, Rue de l’Abbaye 14, Lasne (Walloon Brabant)

Liège’s Grand Curtuis museum celebrates the Val Saint Lambert bicentenary with the exhibition Japonisme et Art Nouveau. Oriental art became fashionable from the 1880s and Belgium’s industrial and artistic powerhouse glass and crystal factory produced striking vases inspired by Japanese aesthetics. The originality of the Art Nouveau style at Val Saint Lambert resided in its resolutely modern line under chief designer Léon Ledru whose signature bold colours, progressive forms and dynamic curvilinear decorations reflected the style of the movement’s pioneering Belgian designers. Until 27 September, Féronstree 136, Liège

See freemasonry in a new light at Château de Seneffe’s Freemasonry in the 18th Century: A Space for Socialising. “Challenging popular misconceptions, this exhibition invites visitors to discover freemasonry as a space for encounters, exchanges and unprecedented intellectual experimentation,” says curator Marjolaine Hanssens. It shows freemasons wanted to take their knowledge beyond the lodges and contribute to the latest scientific, musical, literature, nature and leisure activities. The neoclassical rooms of the elegant 18th century castle abound with freemasonry gems from beautiful ceramics used at banquets to musical scores. There are even period golf balls. Until 25 April 2027, Rue Lucien Plasman 7-9, Seneffe (Hainaut)

A poetic stroll through the woods... Welcome to Silly Silence – Art in the Forest. This open-air exhibition presents 20 prints of masterpieces by major artists throughout art history, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Bruegel, Van Gogh, Monet, Klimt, Magritte. This artistic journey, spanning from the Renaissance to the 20th century, unfolds within the green setting of the woodlands. 1 May to 27 September, entrance to Bois de Silly on the corner of Rue Brunfaut and Rue Haut Port (Hainaut)

Kazerne Dossin concludes its long running remembrance project Elke naam telt (every name counts), honouring the 25,843 people deported from the Mechelen barracks during the Second World War. Over the past two years, thousands of participants have recorded each name aloud, creating a collective audio memorial. As a final chapter, photographer Lieve Blancquaert presents a poignant exhibition pairing historical portraits of deportees with contemporary images of participants, highlighting connections across time. The project invites the public to take part and contribute to this powerful act of remembrance. Sign up required. Kazerne Dossin, Goswin de Stassartstraat 153 (Mechelen)

Forest Therapy. We've now crossed the threshold of the Equinox and stepped into the fullness of spring. As the light returns and the world around us comes alive, certified forest therapy guide George Biesmans leads a series of walks in the Tervuren Arboretum. Forest Therapy is the practice of slowing down, awakening the senses and reconnecting with ourselves and the rest of Nature. Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku, it is a science-based framework which supports physical, mental and spiritual health and wellbeing.  3 May 9.00-12.00; 8 May 18.00-21.00; 16 May 9.00-12.00; 5 June 18.00-21.00, Tervuren Arboretum

Book now Contemporary art takes over the port city in the 12th edition of Antwerp Art Weekend. Focusing on emerging talent, unique locations and pressing topics, its wide-ranging programme includes exhibitions, events, performances, talks and festive gatherings. Staged across 88 venues throughout the city, this is an ideal event to discover Antwerp’s dynamic contemporary art scene. As usual, M HKA serves as a hub and information point. 14-17 May, across Antwerp

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

Photos: (main image) ©Victor Blanchevoye; Extract poster ©Mathilde Vandenbussche; Val St Lambert at Design Museum - catalogue VSL 1962; Châteaux -G-Focant-LX Chiny-Faing; ©Les jardins d’agréments du Vauxhall, Londres, XVIIIe, Domaine de Seneffe ASBL ©Domaine de Seneffe/photo Artamonow L; Antwerp Art Weekend ©Philippe Van Snick