From September 3 to 7, Molenbeek pulls out all the stops with the second edition of MolenFest. This open-air, multi-disciplinary festival brings together artists, collectives and residents to reenchant urban space and offer us a week to see and experience Brussels differently. At the crossroads of celebration, art and commitment, Molenbeek reveals all its richness and creativity. We tell you all about it!
An open-air cultural laboratory
Molenbeek is undergoing a transformation, and MolenFest is the living theater of it. For five days, the town becomes an open-air stage, where contemporary dance performances, school bands, open-air screenings, participatory circus and sound installations come together. Neither elitist nor folkloric, the festival dares to mix genres. What’s more, it’s run by a constellation of local players including Recyclart, Volta and the Brussels Circus School. A festive atmosphere, yes, but also a manifesto! The aim is to show that culture is a tool for social cohesion and territorial reappropriation.
A strong signal for cultural Europe
MolenFest 2025 is not an end in itself: it marks a turning point. Molenbeek is in the running to become Cultural Capital of Europe 2030, and this edition acts as a concentrate of its ambition. From Serge Aimé Coulibaly’s creations to Singing Molenbeek’s choirs, from Kaaitheater’s debates to Laure Prouvost’s poetic installations, the festival shows a district that is no longer content to defend its image, but is stepping into the spotlight. At the crossroads of cultures, generations and disciplines, Molenbeek doesn’t ask to be loved – it invites you to rediscover it!
See the full program here.
📍 Address: Several locations, 1080 Molenbeek-Saint-Jean
📆 Dates: September 3 to 7, 2025