What’s on this week: 9 to 15 May

The 30th edition of Kunstenfestivaldesarts (KFDA) kicks off on Friday with a festive weekend of performances around the city. They include an evocative choreography by Tianzhuo Chen and Siko Setyanto (pictured), while Friends of Forsythe presents a free group choreography at Place de la Bourse on Sunday at 17.45 to celebrate the anniversary. Beursschouwburg serves as the festival hub from 17.00 each day for food, drink, workshops and open-air screenings. A free opening party with vibrant DJ sets is hosted by Vaartkapoen on Friday evening. 9 to 31 May, multiple locations in the city-centre

Europe Day celebrations on Friday include a free evening DJ set in the Grand Place. Spinning the discs are Martin Vachiery and Nicki Sanchez. Organised by the City of Brussels and European Movement International, the event serves as “a reminder that the European Union is first and foremost a project for peace, fundamental freedoms and openness”. 9 May, 19.30, Grand Place

Take a sneak peek into the hallowed buildings of the European institutions on Saturday. The annual open-door event is a key part of the Europe Day 75th anniversary celebrations that commemorate the Schuman Declaration on 9 May 1950. It aims to inform the public about the actions and priorities of the institutions; visitors can participate in debates and guided tours of the buildings. Free entrance, no registration. 10 May from 10.00, Schuman roundabout, Rue Belliard, Place Luxembourg

Ambiorix Square in Brussels comes alive with the enchanting Moomin Parade on Saturday afternoon to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Tove Jansson's Moomin stories. Organised by the Association des Commerçants Carrefour Jean Monnet, visitors can immerse themselves in the whimsical world of Moomins through a variety of activities. A parade starts at 14.00, featuring beloved Moomin characters, a lively orchestra and colourful balloons. It will make its way from the square to the European Commission via Rue Archimède. 10 May 13.00-17.30, Ambiorix Square

Get your geek on at Comic Con Brussels where tickets are selling fast! The annual gathering of the comic community is filled with events and shows, including gaming, cosplay, films, manga, sales of collectible items and more. Among the star guests is John Boyega and Hayden Christensen from Star Wars, Paul Andersen from Peaky Blinders and a host of famous names from Harry Potter, Super Mario, The A Team, and other franchises. Free entry for kids under 10, and reduced price for anyone in Cosplay. 10 -11 May, Tour & Taxis, Avenue du Port 86C

Discover Asia's newest culinary favourite at the Philippine Food Festival, staged at the Centre Communautaire de Joli Bois. Try exotic flavours from the archipelago’s many different regions, including iconic Filipino dishes like Adobo, Sinigang, and Lechon. Free entrance. 11 May 10.00-17.00, Avenue du Haras 100 (Woluwe-Saint-Pierre)

Some of the capital’s finest and stylish institutions host the Art Deco at Home Festival to mark the centenary of the 1925 International Exhibition of Decorative Arts that launched the iconic style. The Boghossian Foundation, the Van Buuren Museum & Gardens, the Maison Autrique and the Horta Museum join forces with the Brussels Art Deco Society to stage exhibitions, walks, concerts, talks, late-night and festive events. At the heart of the programme is the dual theme: the intimacy of a living environment and the richness of an Art Deco heritage. 12-18 May, multiple venues across the city

One useful tool for combatting stressed is the EFT tapping technique that calms your body and mind. That’s why the Brussels Women's Club is hosting a Stress-free Living Workshop facilitated by EFT coach Roshy Zaredoost on Saturday. The cost is €39 for  non-members and €29 for members, which includes the two-hour workshop, tapping guide, tea, coffee and homemade cakes. 10 May 14.30-16.30, Rue au Bois 509 (Woluwe-Saint-Pierre) 

As a taster for the upcoming Brussels Pride 2025 festivities, cabaret show Queer Legacy features a host of drag artists, including La Veuve and Alvilda. Specially created by Cabaret Mademoiselle for the occasion, it also highlights queer cultural heritage at the City Hall. “Queer Legacy sends a powerful message to affirm the value of diversity in public space, support LGBTQIA+ creators, and bring their artistic expressions into prestigious venues that are typically closed to these formats,” say organisers. 15 May 19.00 & 21.00, City Hall, Grand Place

The International Study Group presents the talk The Challenges of Humanitarian Aid by Cees Witterbrood, the former ambassador at large for the Caucasus and Central Asia and the director of Emergency Aid and Civil Protection. The ex-EU official discusses the increasing tendency for various international laws to be ignored or blatantly violated. Guests can pay €10 fee at the entrance. 12 May 10.00, Chateau Malou (Woluwe Saint-Lambert)

Les Nuits Botanique is about to kick off with an eclectic line-up of musical talent for the hottest musical event in town, if not Europe. For the 32nd edition, local and international musicians perform pop, electronic, hip hop, rock and experimental sounds in the various venues of the cultural centre, which also host art exhibitions. Among the highlights are NY singer, rapper and queer icon Azealia Banks (pictured) on 20 May. Party animals can enjoy the nightlife ambiance of the Bota by night programme. 15-25 May, Botanique, Rue Royale 236

Book now The Bridge Theatre: 855-For-Truth. Tickets are now on sale for the English-language professional theatre’s upcoming production. Written by Eva Hudson and directed by Lydia McKinley, the play is set somewhere in the woods between Hilldale, Utah, and The End of The World. Meredith, an 18-year-old religious cult member and Isaac, a young climate scientist, possess clashing ideals in this philosophical drama exploring the boundaries between faith, science and survival. 2-14 June, Berger Court, Rue du Berger 13 (Ixelles)

Outside Brussels

Expat grocer Stonemanor and the Brussels British Community Association invite everyone to a charity fundraiser Garden Party at the Everberg store on Sunday. The convivial gathering offers delicious free cream teas and an array of food and drink stands sell fish and chips, home-made Cornish pasties, fresh strawberries and cream and refreshing Pimm’s cocktails. On the entertainment front, Belgian illusionist Jonas De Bruyn promises a magical performance and there’s live musical entertainment as well a tombola. All proceeds go to The Wednesday Club. 11 May 10.00 17.00, Stonemanor, Steenhofstraat 28, Everberg

Beervelde Garden Days is a biannual garden fair with some 240 horticulturalists from Belgium and abroad. This year, the banner for the garden festival in Beervelde Park is Green Paradise, evoking lush vegetation and a green environment epitomised by this family estate. It also promotes a sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle. Visitors can enjoy culinary delights, artisan crafts, music and children’s activities. 9-11 May, Toleindestraat 25, Ghent (East Flanders)

Uhoda Jazz à Liège boasts an eclectic international line-up. The ardent city’s flagship jazz event – staged in eight locations – features the Philip Glass Ensemble, Thomas Dutronc, the Yazz Ahmed Quartet and Youn Sun Nah, who are just a few of the musicians gracing the festival this year. The programme also caters for younger audiences with a Jazz Kids special of film-concerts and Jazz Off, a parallel free festival highlighting local talents in bars and cafes. 8-11 May, multiple venues in Liège

Francophone music in all its infinite variety is on the menu at Festival Konnexion in Louvain-la-Neuve this Friday and Saturday. The programme focuses on musical talent from Belgium and Quebec with plenty of satellite events surrounding the concerts. The line-up features Doria D, Saule, Daran, Lovelace,  ML (pictured), Vaslo, Shawn Jobin, Lubiana, Diego, Andréanne A. Malette, Shauit  and Shawn Jobin. 9-10 May, Avenue du Jardin Botanique (Place Polyvalente), Louvain-la-Neuve

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

Photos: (main image) Tianzhuo Chen & Siko Setyanto - Moyang & Seaman ©Nathaniel Brown; European Parliament