Among European capitals, Brussels is no slouch 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 scene, we’ve compiled a list of the must-see exhibitions of the season in Brussels.
The 200th Anniversary 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”: A Challenge to Aesthetic Norms
At Bozar, visitors can explore the “Picture Perfect ” exhibition, which examines beauty through contemporary photography and video. It showcases how artists, from the 1960s to the present day, challenge aesthetic norms and question 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.
Calling all dreamers and lovers of extraordinary adventures: head to the Horta Gallery to discover Jules Verne 200, an immersive exhibition celebrating the visionary genius of Jules Verne. Amid spectacular sets, projections, and installations inspired by his cult novels, we embark on a timeless journey, from Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea to Around the World in 80 Days. All within an immersive setting that will delight both children and adults seeking an escape. A poetic and futuristic interlude in the heart of Brussels, where the imagination literally comes to life.
Family Stories: 7 family projects
This exhibition unfolds here through seven projects that reveal the artists’ own family histories. These socially engaged photographers draw inspiration from their loved ones to create and develop personal projects. These photographic series reveal the intimate sphere of the family, going beyond a purely documentary approach. The photographers explore universal themes such as motherhood, family ties, grief, and reconciliation.
In the category of exhibitions that are as cool as they are inspiring, Designing Childhood at the Design Museum Brussels ticks all the boxes. Here, we’re transported back to 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.
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.
Ready for a leap back in time to Antiquity? With The Last Days of Pompeii, immerse yourself in one of history’s most fascinating catastrophes. Set at Tour & Taxis, this immersive exhibition lets you relive the final hours of the famous Roman city, featuring monumental projections, striking sets, and stunning sensory effects. Mount Vesuvius rumbles, the city comes alive… then everything changes. The result: an experience as spectacular as it is nightmarish. Thrills guaranteed!
Bellezza e Bruttezza: Beauty Reimagined at Bozar
The Bellezza e Bruttezza exhibition 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 getaway 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 launched in 1975 by 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. Blending contemporary art with environmental exploration, it breathes new life into the forgotten river that shaped the capital. Through a combination 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 memory, and ecological reflection.
Following the international success of the exhibition The World of Banksy, the temporary exhibition has become a 900-square-meter permanent 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!
RePose ExPose CounterPose: Identity in Light at the Fondation A
The Fondation A unveils a fascinating retrospective of artist Tarrah Krajnak, a rising star in contemporary photography. Her works explore identity, memory, and the body through series that are as powerful as they are poetic. The exhibition brings together cyanotypes, performances, and self-portraits that challenge photographic conventions and the place of women in art history. A must-see for lovers of visual art and culture in Brussels.
“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 Am 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 combines historical works, interactive installations, and participatory exhibits. An essential cultural event for rethinking identity, freedom of expression, and media literacy.
