Forget the dreariness of winter! The heart-warming festival returns with news that will make your evenings sparkle. Mons en Lumières, the biggest event of its kind in Wallonia, is back in 2026. The good news? This spectacular, entirely free event is less than an hour from Brussels. The really good news? For its third edition, the festival is spreading out over two emblematic sites for an experience that’s twice as magical! Here are the dates and the first details.
Mons en Lumières 2026: double the magic, double the site!
After delighting a huge public (260,000 visitors last year), Mons en Lumières is back with a vengeance for a 3rd edition. For the very first time, the festival will be split over two weekends and two sites, offering a veritable voyage of light.
Make a note of the dates for this new edition of 2026:
- From January 22 to 25, 2026: the event will begin in the historic heart of Mons. We’ll be returning to the emblematic sites that have made the event such a success.
- February 12 to 14, 2026: for a totally different experience, the festival will move to the SPARKOH! site in Frameries (the former PASS). This second light trail will offer a fascinating contrast and a new perspective between art, technology and emotion.
“This artistic choice allows us to explore two complementary facets of the area”, say the organizers in a press release. On the one hand, the historic heritage of Mons, and on the other, the post-industrial heritage of the Borinage. This 2026 edition will also be based on the theme “Entering the light. A need to illuminate the world“, promising an experience both poetic and surreal.
A glimpse of what’s in store
While the detailed program for 2026 is still a secret (we’ll keep you informed as soon as we know more!), past editions have already set the tone for splendor. Last year, spectacular works such as the immersive HORIZONS installation, the TIME RIFT ODYSSEY video mapping designed by Arts² students, and the bewitching MYCELIUM light garden transformed Mons into a veritable open-air art gallery. One thing’s for sure: you’ll be amazed!
Practical info:
As always, this festival is open to all. Both routes will be entirely free of charge, and designed to be accessible to people with special needs. More info.
To get there from Brussels, allow about 1 hour’s travel time by car or train. A luminous getaway not to be missed this winter!