EV ENTS
In Brussels
EVENTS CALENDAR
Throughout the year, visit.brussels organises events to promote the tourism, culture and events sector of the Brussels-Capital Region. These events, which together attract nearly a million visitors, contribute to building a strong identity for Brussels by offering enriching experiences for local, national and international audiences.
Through events such as Brussels Pride, Bright Festival and the Tram Experience, visit.brussels showcases Brussels’ rich heritage and encourages the development of activities with a positive and sustainable societal impact. Each of our events celebrates an iconic aspect of local culture by highlighting art, heritage, different neighbourhoods, music and more. They also ensure the creation of spaces where accessibility, kindness, creativity and discovery thrive.
10 years
BRIGHT FESTIVAL
Bright Festival was born from the ambition to create a festive event celebrating heritage, light and mobility throughout the city. This vision gave rise to a captivating light festival – an accessible trail featuring interactive and playful illuminated artworks.
With a rich and diverse programme, Bright Festival encourages curiosity, sharing and promotes initiatives that take a sustainable approach to energy and light.
Since its creation in 2017, the event has grown tremendously, with almost 500,000 visitors enjoying its winter magic every year.
The next edition will be held from 12 to 15 February 2026!
Each year, the festival consolidates its strengths and adds new initiatives. 2025 saw the hosting of the second Bright Sessions, a seminar space for lighting professionals, festival organisers and representatives of Brussels’ cultural sector. The festival also includes many other projects, such as the Bright Market, a space for the sale of second-hand lighting and a repair workshop, and Bright Kids, which offers interactive installations for children.
Facts & Figures
In 2025, Bright Festival welcomed more than 450,000 visitors (according to Proximus data)*.
The festival keeps growing every year with fresh initiatives. New additions like a seminar area for lighting professionals and festival organisers and a dedicated children’s area have come to life.
The growing involvement of Brussels-based partners from the cultural and private sectors (almost forty by 2025), such as the Institute of Natural Sciences, the House of European History, the Royal Theatre of La Monnaie, foreign cultural representations, Greenpeace, Amnesty International, etc. means that the festival’s programme is only getting richer and more diverse.
National media coverage is phenomenal: every year, more than one hundred articles devoted to the Bright Festival reach between 10 and 15 million people through 110 articles dedicated to Bright Festival.
Half
* These figures do not include the children and local residents who visited the routes.
IRIS FESTIVAL
The Iris Festival is an event dedicated to celebrating the BrusselsCapital Region. The festivities always take place on the weekend closest to 8 May – a symbolic date marking both the blooming of irises, Brussels’ emblematic flowers, and the end of the Second World War.
Each edition of the Iris Festival gathers between 100,000 and 150,000 participants, bringing together a joyful mix of ages and backgrounds, attracting both Brussels locals and enthusiastic visitors from across Belgium and beyond.
The festival’s programme features hundreds of cultural, social, sport, artistic and educational activities spread across the region. Entertainment is also a major highlight, with the lively Iris Tipik Electro Night and a vibrant Food Truck Festival. The 2026 edition will take place on 8 and 9 May across the Brussels-Capital Region.
Facts & Figures
Every year, the Iris Festival welcomes more than 100,000 visitors over the weekend (based on 4G data from the Royal Quarter).
On Saturday, the festival offers a varied programme, including activities, guided tours and celebrations across all Brussels’ municipalities.
A standout moment of the weekend is the much-anticipated Iris Tipik Electro Night, a music event that has previously hosted renowned DJs and artists such as Martin Solveig, Kid Noize, Henri PFR, Fatboy Slim and many more.
On Sunday, Brussels Park transforms into a vibrant hub with the Iris Market (market for Brussels designers and artisans), a kids zone and Brussels public-interest organizations.
Audience composed of families and young professionals
20K
Festival-goers on Place des Palais Food trucks at the street food corner Partner Associations
30 years
30 years
BRUSSELS PRIDE
Since the 1960s and the Stonewall riots, Pride Marches have spread worldwide as a powerful movement advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights.
Established in Brussels in 1995, Brussels Pride has grown significantly, bringing together over 220,000 participants in 2025. This success is the result of a strong collaboration between visit. brussels, the Brussels LGBTQIA+ umbrella organisation Rainbow House and the local association Brussels Rainbow Village. Together, we advocate for a more inclusive and tolerant society, while spreading a warm and welcoming message to both the local and international community.
As a testament to its impact, Brussels Pride has been recognised as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the BrusselsCapital Region, highlighting its essential role in promoting the city’s values of equality and diversity.
The 2026 edition of Brussels Pride will take place on 16 May in the city centre.
Facts & Figures
In 2025, Brussels Pride gathered 220,000 visitors (based on 4G data).
The Pride March is a powerful symbol of the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights, with around 50 associations and community groups taking part.
The Pride Village welcomes organisations and businesses from the Brussels Rainbow Village.
Concerts take place at Mont des Arts and various locations across the city centre, showcasing a diverse line-up of artists and engaged activists.
Pride Week provides a platform for meetings between activists and Pride organisers, fostering collective discussions on key issues.
The event enjoys exceptional national media coverage: between April and May 2025, nearly 12.5 million people were reached through 120 articles dedicated to Brussels Pride. A communication campaign across 10 European countries also helped attract 52,000 international visitors.
Perfect age distribution across the public
30k
Pillars: the march, the village, the concerts Organisations taking part in the March People in front of the Mont des Arts stage
Various Voices is the European festival of LGBTQI+ choirs. Since 1985, it has been organised every four years in a different European city by a local choir.
The next edition will be held in Brussels from 24 to 28 June 2026 (just six weeks after the 30th edition of Brussels Pride) and will be hosted by the Brussels pop choir Sing Out Brussels!, in partnership with visit.brussels, RainbowHouse Brussels and Bozar.
Various Voices is an opportunity to celebrate our pride and grant visibility to choirs from the LGBTQI+ community. The festival will unite around 120 LGBTQI+ choirs and nearly 5,000 singers from around 20 different countries for five days of concerts.
Hosted in the capital of the European Union, this festival conveys an important message of awareness to countries where the LGBTQI+ community faces repeated attacks. Various Voices Brussels 2026 is meant to challenge gender norms and identities, change mentalities and raise awareness.
It’s also a time to share emotions with all audiences. For European LGBTQI+ choirs, it’s a unique opportunity to come together, sing, create bonds and celebrate. Moreover, the festival aims to expand its reach to the city through numerous public events and inclusive activities.
Experience
BD COMIC STRIP FESTIVAL
The BD Comic Strip Festival was born in 2010 following a themed year dedicated to comics. Since then, it has immersed visitors in the fascinating world of the ninth art, delighting enthusiasts of all ages in the stunning setting of Tour & Taxis’ Gare Maritime.
The festival celebrates comic book heritage while also highlighting emerging authors and alternative genres. It addresses major societal issues through the lens of comics, covering topics such as climate urgency, gender equality, conflicts and racism. The event also hosts the Atomium Awards ceremony, which recognises and encourages creativity in the comic book industry.
This year’s BD Comic Strip Festival will take place from 25 to 27 September 2026 (dates to be confirmed).
Facts & Figures
Every year, the BD Comic Strip Festival welcomes more than 60,000 people.
The event offers a wide range of cultural activities, including workshops, a Manga space, an International Pavilion and conferences. It brings together both major publishing houses and independent comic creators, attracting a diverse audience with strong local participation.
The Atomium Awards include distinctions such as the Le Soir Atomium Award for Current Affairs Comics, the Atomium Award for Civic Comics, the Atomium Brussels Award and the Atomium Leblanc Award for Young Talent.
In 2025, younger visitors were amazed by the giant balloons scattered around the festival site. They took part in exciting workshops and games, immersing themselves in the world of their favorite heroes. Many visitors also had the chance to meet the authors during exclusive meet-and-greets and have their comics signed during the numerous signing sessions organized by publishers throughout the weekend.
Perfect age distribution across the public
200
60
200 Authors Signing sessions Stands
I LOVE SCIENCE FESTIVAL
Launched in 2018, the I Love Science Festival was created as a festive event dedicated to science and innovative technologies, making them accessible to all. It offers a unique platform where passionate scientists and experts share their knowledge with the public in a fun and engaging way. The festival’s success lies in its strong emphasis on interactivity, giving visitors the chance to handle materials, objects and tools that are usually out of reach.
Organised in collaboration with Innoviris, the festival serves as a living showcase of the latest innovations. It features a wide range of themes and captivating workshops, spread across 60 stands and divided into seven immersive themes: Humanity, Ingenuity, Space, Nature, Technology, Art and Creativity.
I Love Science Festival will be back from 9 to 11 October 2026 (dates to be confirmed).
Facts & Figures
Every year, the I Love Science Festival welcomes nearly 20,000 people.
The event offers 160 interactive activities, catering to all ages and interests. Highlights include flying a drone, testing a lie detector, programming robots, trying out an exoskeleton, designing the city of the future and enjoying a dedicated area for young children.
No scientific background is required to enjoy the festival, which helps spark new vocations and generate enthusiasm for science, even among those unfamiliar with science.
The diverse group of presenters and experts reflects the festival’s audience in terms of backgrounds, ages, genders and languages. This representation makes science more relatable, inclusive and accessible, encouraging visitors to see themselves as part of the scientific community.
Since 2025, the festival has included a Business Village, which raises public awareness of careers involving science and new technologies. It’s a real win-win situation for both parties: the company gains in visibility while enriching the festival programme!
THE TRAM EXPERIENCE
Since 2012, the unique Tram Experience has been set inside a refurbished 1960s tram, offering an extraordinary gastronomic journey through the most beautiful districts of the capital.
With each season, renowned chefs craft elegant and creative menus, developing 6- and 7-course fine dining experiences which strive for excellence. These menus are then meticulously executed by Thibault Granville (Taste Great) and his team, ensuring a refined and memorable dining experience.
Tram Experience offers an exceptional culinary adventure, catering both to individual guests and businesses looking to host corporate events in an original setting. Operating 300 evenings per year, from Tuesday to Sunday (excluding summer holidays), this mobile restaurant brings fine dining to the streets of Brussels. All aboard for a unique culinary experience!
Facts & Figures
The tram welcomes over 9,000 guests per year.
Bookings sell out weeks in advance, attracting a predominantly local high-end clientele.
Since its launch in 2012, over 40 chefs have contributed to the experience, including Michelin-starred names such as Lionel Rigolet (Comme chez Soi), Karen Torosyan (Bozar Restaurant), David Martin** (La Paix), Yves Mattagne** (La Villa Lorraine) and Mallory Gabsi*.
The 2024-2026 season highlights a new generation of Brussels-based chefs, embracing contemporary, trendy and locally inspired cuisine, with a strong focus on sustainability and urban influence.
Most guests come to celebrate a special occasion and the experience is designed to meet and exceed their expectations.
As a couple
40
8.9
36 Places on board Chefs have contributed NPS Score
BECOME A PARTNER
We establish partnerships for each of our events to ensure the necessary resources to welcome an ever-growing audience while maintaining exacting standards of quality, accessibility and innovation.
By supporting our events, private partners play a key role in their success, while also showcasing their products, values and teams.
Becoming a partner of visit.brussels events means benefiting from:
Become a partner
Brand activations
Integration of your brand into the event’s identity, creating a meaningful storytelling approach.
Development of immersive experiences to connect your brand with the audience.
Content creation, giveaways, Meet & Greet sessions and other interactive initiatives.
Visibility & communication
Inclusion in national and international marketing campaigns (press, digital, outdoor advertising, event signage, on-stage branding, etc.).
Exclusive benefits for your teams
Corporate events & private bookings.
Invitations to launches, networking events and access to VIP areas.
Strong brand positioning
Align your brand with our core event values: pluralism, innovation, sustainability, fun and heritage.
Are you interested in becoming a partner for one of our events?
Laurence Dogné
Income services
l.dogne@visit.brussels
+32 2 549 53 93
Ginevra Lazzeri
Event partnerships
+32 2 549 50 76 g.lazzeri@visit.brussels