What’s on this week: 5 to 11 December

For its 800th anniversary, a spectacular sound and light show illuminates the secrets of the Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula. Luminescence celebrates the heritage of the masterpiece of Brabant Gothic architecture which has overlooked Brussels since the 13th century. It is a video mapping experience where light and music bring eight centuries of history back to life with the heavenly voices of one of the region’s finest choirs elevating the original soundtrack. From 11 December, Esplanade de la Sainte Gudule

The annual illuminations gracing the capital’s shopping streets have a new name, Enjoy BXL by lights. Some 1,000 festive garlands are festooned around 180 thoroughfares for a fairytale atmosphere during the holiday season. Until 4 January, city centre & Laeken

Step inside Charlie’s magical toy shop in Paris, where mechanical dolls and toys come to life after dark. The Magic Toyshop is the Bruocsella Symphony Orchestra’s seasonal concert for children. Conducted by Patrick Valls, multi-lingual performances feature an all-star cast and crew with Jolijn Antonissen directing, soloists Jan Debski, Thomas Servranckx and Sarah Leclère and choreographers Irina Yakousheva, Leen Vander Aa and Simon Charlier. The BSO collaborates with Akademie Meise  for this festive treat. 6 December 16.00 (NL), 19.00 (Fr); 7 December 14.00 (Eng), 17.00 (Fr), W:Halll Auditorium, Avenue Charles Thielemans 93 (Woluwe-Saint-Pierre)

Family favourites The Snowman and Peter and the Wolf fill the programme of the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra’s annual Children's Charity Christmas Concert. David Navarro-Turres conducts, Mary Gow is at the piano and Sarah Watkinson narrates. To order tickets (€25/15 children under 12 years), email bxlsnowman@gmail.com. 7 December 15.00 & 17.30, Novum Theatre, Rue Eudore Devroy 2 (Etterbeek)

Visiting the Victor Horta masterpiece housing Brussels’ Comic Strip museum is always a pleasure. The BD mecca’s new show. Metal Hurlant. Ready for Boarding, celebrates the French comic magazine’s 50th anniversary. Widely acknowledged to have changed the face of comics worldwide, and one of the first comic books for adults, the revolutionary magazine embraces drawing, science fiction, music, film and philosophy. Created in 1974 by Jean-Pierre Dionnet, Philippe Druillet, Moebius and Bernard Farkas, Metal Hurlant’s imaginary extra-terrestrial panoramas will take you to strange new worlds. Until 17 May, Rue des Sables 20

Belgian designer and artistic director Jean-Paul Knott celebrates 25 years of design, costume and fashion collaborations this year. Knott so MAD traces the journey of this fashion guru who worked with Yves Saint Laurent for 11 years, collaborated with creators and artisans including Julian Cerruti, Cathy Coëz and made costumes for Maurice Béjart ballets. His fashion brand JeanPaulKnott stands out for its freedom, form and movement, reflecting emotion not the latest trend. The MAD’s immersive and multidisciplinary exhibition features Knott’s clothes, of course, but also film, video and theatrical installations. Until 31 January, Nouveau Marché aux Grains 10

Africalia, the organisation promoting sustainable development by supporting African culture and contemporary art, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Following events in Kinshasa and Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nairobi, Kenya, Bujumbura, Burundi, Ouagadougou and Burkina Faso, Africalia 25 features a high-level political discussion at Flagey and ‘round table’ meetings at Les Halles de Schaerbeek. Last but not least, indulge in a delicious Afro-brunch, enjoy African art exhibitions and watch short films before joining the party at an exciting DJ evening at KVS BOL – the Royal Flemish Theatre’s renovated auditorium, Rue de Laeken.  4-6 December, various location

The Music Chapel Festival immerses visitors in the ‘Four Elements’, its theme for 2025 in a cultural feast for opera lovers, chamber music enthusiasts and symphony fans. Staged at Flagey, the programme’s highlights include Les Métamorphoses ensemble with pianist Jonathan Fournel, winner of the Queen Elisabeth Competition 2021, Mirabelle Kajenjeri, Alexander Warenberg and Rino Yoshimoto (on Friday) and a grand closing concert with the Brussels Philharmonic, conducted by Kazushi Ono (on Saturday), as well as soloists from the local Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel. 5-6 December, Place Sainte-Croix (Ixelles)

Coudenberg Sound Box Fest 25 is the fifth edition of a unique festival occupying the ruins of Charles V's palace, transformed since 2021 into a daring sound laboratory. Blending early music and contemporary voices, this Sunday’s concert (7 December) focuses on The Voice of Women with a range of music by predominantly international artists, from Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium. Until 14 December, 18.30, Place Royale 10

Design Museum Brussels celebrates its 10th anniversary by offering free entrance to visitors this weekend. Discover its temporary and permanent displays and collections of design objects from the 20th century to today; two permanent collections include an immersion in plastic design since the Golden 60s and Belgian design that is an overview of the country’s contributions to the world of design. More than one million visitors have stepped inside the national reference centre located in the shadow of the Atomium.  6-7 December, Place de la Belgique 1 (Laeken)

Auderghem hosts a Christmas market – Marché de Noël à Saint Julien in its usual weekly market spot as well as a second one dedicated to Food and Gifts. The latter is graced by a visit by Father Christmas. 7 December 11.00-18.00 (Food and Gifts), Boulevard du Souverain, Auderghem

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

The Art Brussels counterpart in Belgium’s second city, Art Antwerp brings together thousands of works of contemporary art, from paintings to sculpture to mixed-media. It contains 11 solo booths, five special large-scale installations dotted around the fair and a variety of other events. “The success of Art Antwerp lies in the unique, intimate atmosphere of our boutique fair and the emphasis on creating experiences. Visitors come not only to discover art in a setting full of surprises, but also to absorb the distinctive artistic energy that defines Antwerp,” says managing director Nele Verhaeren. 11-14 December, Antwerp Expo, Jan van Rijswijcklaan 191

For the first time, the Trésor de la cathédrale de Liège opens its hallowed space to contemporary art. In a collaboration with Espace 251 Nord, some 78 Belgian and international artists exhibit their works in 11 spaces of the renowned heritage site. The majority of the artists have been associated with the Espace 251 Nord since its creation in the 1960s, offering a panoramic view of artistic creation in Belgium over the past 50 years, and the ‘Liège school’ in particular. It is shown alongside the cathedral’s rich collection of treasure, which includes goldsmith works, Mosan and byzantine ivory, manuscripts, textiles and liturgical objects. Until 29 March, Rue Bonne Fortune 6, Liège

Ghent’s Christmas market, part of the historic city’s extensive winter festivities, features plenty of holiday-themed fun fair attractions. Step into a human-sized ornament on the Christmas tree merry-go-round or soar above the Corn Market in a Ferris wheel and hit the ice as a traditional skating rink makes its return to the city. There are winter bars among countless other stalls with oodles of seasonal specialities and a smaller, cosier market over on Veerleplein. There’s also lots of free activities! Check out the full programme. 4-31 December, across central Ghent

Leuven promises to ward off the cold dark days of winter with its beautifully-illuminated Christmas market and Winter Garden. Leuven is big on moody atmosphere at this time of year, with its famed beguinage bathed in candlelight on 13 December. Meanwhile, the city’s Christmas market (9-21 December) boasts some 120 chalets in Ladeuzeplain and Hooverplein. The Winter Garden on Grote Markt is where you’ll find the nativity and giant Christmas tree. Wintertijd also includes holiday concerts and winter walks. St Peter’s Church hosts English carol concerts on 11, 18, 23 & 29 December. Over at Park Abbey you’ll hear carillon concerts (10-31 December) and concert, sing-along and violin folk project on 14 December. These pretty grounds are also home to a Christmas market. 9 December to 10 January, across Leuven

The port city of Antwerp offers an action-packed Winter experience. Belgium’s most sprawling Christmas market winds through streets and squares. If you start your visit from the Central Station, pretty lights will lead you to all the festive action. Don’t miss Hendrik Conscienceplein with its magical fountain, while from Operaplein to Koningen Astridplein, there’s carousels and a Ferris wheel, chalets and tempting seasonal specialities. An entertainment programme includes musical performances and a firework display over the river Scheldt on New Year’s Eve. New features this year include a light installation trail, from Handschoenmarkt to Operaplein and new winter bars in many of the city’s squares. 5 December to 5 January, across Antwerp

Les Féeries du Parc is a magical event that draws crowds to the castle domain of Parc Saint-Roch, near the market town of Ciney. The idyllic park comes alive at night with glowing trees, illuminated chalets and fairy lights lining winding paths and the grand facades of the chateau. For the eighth edition, 80% of the nearly 300 stalls are devoted to artisan gifts, from jewellery and candles to Christmas decorations, textiles and gourmet specialities. One favourite is mulled wine pimped with flambéed apple brandy. Colourful parades are among the entertainment on offer. 4-8, 11-15 & 18-22 December, Ciney (Namur province)

Hainaut capital Mons celebrates the 20th anniversary of its popular Cœur en Neige festivities. The medley of hotspots is spread across three zones in the historic city (Grand-Place, Marché aux Herbes, Place Léopold). Around 50 chalets occupy the Grand Place offering winter culinary specialities as well as gifts. The surrounding cobbled shopping streets are all illuminated and a covered ice-skating rink graces the Marché aux Herbes, under its twinkly sky installation. Place Léopold hosts a covered ice rink and 15 new wooden chalets. A festive train will take visitors with no additional price between the three zones on certain days of the week. 6-31 December, across Mons

Gembloux restaurant Hors-Champs loves green activities, including its three-day creative and sustainable Christmas market. Staged in a grange, the event is a platform for some 35 local designers and artisans, offering decor, tableware, slow fashion, wine and produce. On the culinary front, you’ll need to reserve in advance for wood-fire cooked flammekueche: info@hors-champs.be. 5-7 December, Chaussée de Wavre 170, Gembloux (Namur province)

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

Photos: (main image) Luminescence ©Mikhail Sytenkov;  Plastic Design Collection ©Design Museum Brussels; Trésors de Liège Jacques Lizene-YannFreichels ©Philippe De Gobert; Leuven Christmas Market ©Willem Govaerts