What’s on this week: 30 August to 5 September

Encompassing not one but five alfresco live clubbing scenes, Brussels Open Air Festival aims to reflect the diversity of nightlife and music in the capital. The various programmes are each staged in Vaux Hall, Place d’Espagne, Place de Brouckère, Place Poelaert and the Congress Column. Check out the theme and line-up for each one before choosing your venue for partying this Saturday night! Tickets necessary. 31 August from 14.00, multiple locations

The Forest Sounds Festival is a super event for families by day and for party-goers by night. Staged in the lovely grounds of the Forest Abbey, this eighth edition offers kid-friendly entertainment in the afternoon, while the focus turns to four stages hosting music, from world rhythms to electro beats. Food trucks and bars ensure you’re taken care of all day and night. Forest Sounds also prides itself on its sustainability efforts and alternative programming. 30-31 August, Abbaye de Forest, Place Saint Denis

The ninth edition of Festival L’Afrique en Couleurs promises to be a vibrant showcase of the cultural richness of the African continent. Music, dance, culinary delights, exhibitions, circus and theatre are all lined up to enlighten and entertain visitors. 31 August to 1 September from 12.00, Place de la Musique, Tour & Taxis

Expect the roaring sound of Italian automobile engines and the odour of freshly brewed coffee as Autoworld says arrivederci to two exhibitions celebrating the 125th anniversary of Fiat and 75th anniversary of Albarth. Visitors can immerse themselves in the passion, beauty, and iconic status of these legendary brands at the Cars & coffee session in the atmospheric Esplanade. Tickets are required if you want to also visit the museum and exhibitions. 1 September 10.00-14.00, Esplanade, Cinquantenaire Park

Brussels celebrates the 80th anniversary of its liberation by WWII Allies in 1944 with an official ceremony at the Congress Column followed by a parade of military vehicles to the Grand Place. The medieval square is then transformed into a stage for a WWII campsite, retro dance classes, a swing music demonstration and concerts. A highlight is a concert by the Welsh Guards Band from 13.00 to 14.00. 3 September from 10.00, Place de la Liberté & Grand Place

The Vendôme cinema hosts a special event for Brussels’ 80th anniversary liberation celebrations. Festival Les Trous de la Mémoire offers three evenings of screenings and debates dedicated to the sentiment ‘Never forget’ and ‘Never again’. The memory project includes more than 100 hours of unpublished audiovisual recordings of witnesses of the Resistance during the Second World War, a collection of films and historical photos unknown to the general public, illustrating the Liberation of France and Europe. 3 to 5 September, 18.30, Chaussée de Wavre 18 (Ixelles)

Book now: Talk on economic viability of the EU’s climate policy. The International Study Group kicks off its new season with a topical talk by Jacob Werksman on the international dimensions of EU climate policy. The Commission climate specialist will discuss the Paris Agreement negotiations and the way in which EU climate policies can affect trade and investment flows globally. The event is free for members, €10 for guests. 9 September 10.30 (welcome 10.00), Château Malou, Allée Pierre Levie 2 (Woluwe Saint-Lambert)

Book now: Allianz Memorial Van Damme Hot off the back of the Paris Olympics, the Diamond League athletic meeting showcases home and international athletic stars. They include Julien Alfred, the fastest woman in the world, Kenyan 1500m Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon (pictured), Dutch hurdler Femke Bol, Letsile Tebogo, the 200m Olympic champion and silver medallist in the 4x400m relay, and Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi. As ever, the top sporting event is accompanied by live music and a spectacular laser and light show. 13-14 September 17.00, King Baudouin Stadium, Avenue de Marathon 135 (Laeken) 

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Contemporary art biennale Miroirs returns to the beautiful setting of Enghien chateau for its fifth edition called Précieux. The chosen theme focuses on treasured moments, whether related to objects or people, and it resonates with the exceptional nature and heritage setting. Discover works and installations by 14 artists in a trail that visitors can freely explore while discovering or rediscovering the lovely park and its abundant ancient features. The exhibition is curated by Myriam Louyest and Christophe Veys. 31 August to 15 September, Avenue Princesse Eisabeth, Enghien (Hainaut province)

The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra caters to both morning and night people with its annual open-air concert to herald the end of summer. Before noon it plays a selection of soundtrack music from films like Forrest Gump, Hook and Star Wars. Then in the early evening, the Driss El Maloumi Trio takes the stage with Arabic-inspired music. Finally, the two come together for a symphonic east-west fusion. All shows are free. 1 September, Sint-Jansplein, Antwerp

Joining the famous Tongeren antique market this week is the Handmade & Art Festival, where more than 50 stands offer a mix of artisanal objects and artworks. Visitors will find jewellery, ceramics, macramé, painting, sculpture and more. It also happens to be Shopping Sunday in Belgium’s oldest city, so feel free to pop into all the retail shops as well. 1 September 10.00-17.00, Stadhuisplein & Vrijthof, Tongeren

The Herkenrode Abbey in Limburg is worth visiting on its own, but this week it’s also the wonderful backdrop to the Toekoer Festival, featuring street theatre, storytelling, puppetry, interactive installations and workshops for all the family. The programme is jam-packed with free indoor and outdoor performances. Check out the dialogue-free options if your Dutch is rusty. 1 September, Herkenrodeabdij 4, Hasselt

Breton and Celtic music legend Alan Stivell is the star turn at the third edition of the Celtic Days Festival, a musical and cultural jamboree peppered with parades and performances by pipe bands from Belgium, Scotland, Brittany, Ireland and the Asturias. Customs, gastronomy and exceptional beverages feature from each region and visitors can discover the ‘clandestine’ weddings or ceremonies of Gretna Green in Scotland. Stivell performs in the basilica 5 & 6 September (tickets necessary). 5-8 September, Thy-le-Château historic centre, Walcourt (Namur province)

Book now: Madama Butterfly and Rain  Opera Ballet Vlaanderen kicks off its 24-25 season with the opera Madama Butterfly and the dance performance Rain. The former is a new production of Puccini’s classic tragedy by Argentine stage director Mariano Pensotti, who invites us to see Cio-Cio-San in a new way, in line with a younger generation defining themselves in a rapidly changing world. Rain, meanwhile, is a seminal work by Belgian choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, set to the music of Steve Reich, which will be performed live on stage. Tickets to both are flying out the door. From 8 September, Antwerp & Ghent opera

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

Photos:  Forest Sounds ©NineLouvel; Faith Kipyegon ©Allianz Memorial Van Damme; Toekoer Festival ©Liza Renders