Among European capitals, Brussels certainly holds its own when it comes to culture! With a vast array of museums, cultural venues, and art galleries, there’s something for everyone. To help you navigate this cultural landscape, we’ve compiled a list of the must-see exhibitions of the season in Brussels.
We’re heading to Le Cadran in Liège to visit this unique exhibition on Hugo Pratt, famous for his character Corto Maltese. Unpublished artwork, rare archives, authentic watercolors, and a soundtrack created especially for the occasion, all presented in a unique scenographic setting, allow visitors to fully immerse themselves in the rich universe of the Italian artist.
In the category of exhibitions that are as cool as they are inspiring, Designing Childhood at the Design Museum Brussels checks all the boxes. Here, we dive back into childhood… but with a design twist. Iconic toys, miniature furniture, everyday objects designed for kids: the exhibition explores how design shapes the way we grow up, play, and even see the world. From vintage pieces to the most stylish contemporary creations, each item tells the story of an era, an idea, or a vision of childhood. The result? A visit that’s fun, intelligent, and full of playful nods, appealing to both budding adults and nostalgic grown-ups alike.
The bicentennial of the Maison des Arts
Built for a family in the heart of a hidden garden, the Maison des Arts has become a major hub for contemporary art in Brussels. To celebrate its 200th anniversary, three themed exhibitions are planned throughout the year, two of which are currently on view. The exhibition “Habiter la maison” features works by eight artists who are reimagining the reception spaces. Upstairs, the exhibition“À l’abri des regards ” allows seven artists to explore themes of intimacy and domesticity.
“Picture Perfect”: Aesthetic Norms Turned Upside Down
At Bozar, discover the exhibition “Picture Perfect,” which explores beauty through contemporary photography and video. It showcases how artists, from the 1960s to the present day, challenge aesthetic norms and examine the pressures surrounding the body and the image. The exhibition blends critical works with more emancipatory approaches, featuring an interactive space dedicated to digital art and video games.
Diary of Happiness: 30 Years of Travel Around the World
The Boghossian Foundation presents at the heart of the Villa Empain: Diary of Happiness, Jean-Michel Othoniel’s first major exhibition in Brussels, featuring over a hundred works inspired by thirty years of travel around the world. The artist invites visitors on a journey that retraces the travels that shaped his view of the world. Armenia, Belgium, Italy, the United States, France, India, Japan, and Turkey—a multitude of wonderful destinations filled with encounters and exchanges.
Bellezza e Bruttezza: Beauty Reimagined at Bozar
The exhibition “Bellezza e Bruttezza ” explores the fascinating contrasts between beauty and ugliness during the Renaissance. Italian and Flemish paintings engage in a dialogue through a bold curatorial approach, from Botticelli to Leonardo da Vinci. The exhibition reveals how these concepts shaped society, navigating between aesthetic ideals and a fascination with the grotesque. A unique artistic escape in the heart of Brussels, for loversof art and culture.
It’s impossible to talk about Brussels without mentioning its legendary Comic Strip Museum, a must-see housed in a stunning Art Nouveau building designed by Victor Horta. Here, major temporary exhibitions occupy the third floor and change regularly: dedicated to an artist, a movement, a theme, or even iconic heroes, they attract visitors from around the world and offer a fresh perspective on comics each time. Currently, they highlight the world of Wauter Mannaert, blending ancient myths with contemporary perspectives on the city, and that of Métal Hurlant, a dream machine born in 1975 under the impetus of Dionnet, Druillet, Moebius, and Farkas, which continues to influence graphic science fiction 50 years later. Through original artwork, immersive installations, and rare documents, the museum brings the 9th art to life.
Back on the Senne: the river resurfaces
Dive into the heart of Brussels with Back on Senne, an immersive exhibition by Romain Tardy and Coline Cornélis. Bl ending contemporary art with environmental exploration, it breathes new life into the forgotten river that shaped the capital. Through a interplay of sound, light, and real-time data, the Senne reveals itself as a living, ever-changing entity. A true ode to urban nature, the experience blends visual poetry, water-related history, and ecological reflection.
Following the international success of the exhibition The World of Banksy, the temporary exhibition has become a permanent 900-square-meter museum: the Banksy Museum. Barely open, it’s already creating a buzz. On Rue de Laeken, step inside the premises of a former textile house and embark on an immersive journey into the world of the world’s most anonymous street artist! From his early days in urban art to his latest controversial pieces, including a reproduction of the Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem, discover Banksy’s work in a breathtaking permanent exhibition featuring over 120 pieces!
“Olé Désiré!” The ceramics exhibition at the Maison d’Erasme
Belgian artist Yves Malfliet takes over the Maison d’Érasme with “Olé Désiré!”, an exhibition as wild as it is daring. His ceramics defy the rules of what’s possible and play with the spirit of the Renaissance. Blending humor with reflections on the human condition, “Olé Désiré!” transforms the museum into a theatrical stage. An exhibition not to be missed for lovers ofcontemporary art in Brussels.
“I’m Here”: the exhibition exploring the art of the selfie in Brussels
The Espace Vanderborght is hosting “Je suis là,” an immersive exhibition on self-portraiture and the selfie in the digital age. From 19th-century painting to works by contemporary Brussels artists, the event explores our relationship with the image and self-representation. Blending art, society, and social engagement, the exhibition features historical works, interactive installations, and participatory exhibits. An essential cultural event for rethinking identity, freedom of expression, and media literacy.
