Looking for new activities to try out in the capital? Not sure what to do in Brussels this weekend from Friday, December 6 to Sunday, December 8, 2024? Bruxelles Secrète has put together a selection of good ideas and activities, each more original than the last. Exhibitions, festivals, immersive experiences, family activities, gourmet places to try… We tell you all about it here!
Have fun at Bubble Planet
A magical world of giant bubbles awaits you at Tour & Taxis! Neon lights, LED lights, ball pools, soap bubbles, lava lamps… EVERYTHING, absolutely everything, is spherical, and designed to plunge you into a dreamlike universe for a deliriously immersive experience. Photocalls, creative workshops, virtual reality… You’ll never be bored at Bubble Planet!
📍Address: Tour & Taxis, Shed 4 bis – Avenue du Port 86C (SHED 4 bis), 1000
Stock up on beautiful things at the feminine and creative The Nine Winter Market
Looking for a unique festive shopping experience this weekend? Don’t miss The Nine Winter Market, which transforms Belgium’s first private women’s club into a veritable urban Christmas village. Discover a cutting-edge selection of handcrafted gifts created by talented women entrepreneurs, while enjoying seasonal delicacies in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for original gift ideas or simply to soak up the magic of the festive season, this ephemeral market in the heart of Brussels promises an unforgettable ethical and local shopping experience.
📍Address: Rue Archimède 69, Brussels 1000
📆 Date: Friday, December 6, 2024 from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Experience the magic of Christmas at Plaisirs d’Hiver
The “Plaisirs d’Hiver ” festivities return to Brussels from November 29, 2024 to January 5, 2025, with a program filled with Christmas magic. The Christmas market, which attracts large numbers of visitors every year, will be back with 250 stalls, an ice rink, curling rinks and artistic entertainment. Place De Brouckère, Place Monnaie, Place Grand-Place and several other sites around the capital will host this great winter celebration, promising a warm and festive atmosphere!
📍Address: Place De Brouckère, Place Monnaie, Place Grand-Place and other sites
📆 Dates: November 29, 2024 to January 5, 2025
A nostalgic dive into the world of Boule et Bill
Rediscover Jean Roba’s iconic work this weekend at Galerie Huberty & Breyne, where a free exhibition celebrates 65 years of Boule et Bill. Immerse yourself in the zany, endearing world of this cult comic strip through some one hundred previously unpublished original plates, unveiled to the public for the first time. This unique retrospective offers a rare opportunity to admire the Belgian cartoonist’s talent and relive the hilarious adventures of this iconic duo that marked generations. Don’t miss this exhibition-event, which promises to put a smile on your face and revive your childhood memories, from November 29, 2024 to January 25, 2025.
📍Address: 33 place du Châtelain – Brussels
📆 Dates: u November 29, 2024 to January 25, 2025
Discover local heritage in a different way
Weekends are the perfect opportunity to play tourist in your own city. And for that, we’ve got the perfect plan. The town hall is offering original tours combining acrobatics and dance, so you can get to grips with the local cultural heritage in a fun way! Take part in the ” Visites Vivantes de la main” by Back Pocket, an acrobatic company that has restored the circus arts to their former glory, and (re)discover the architectural jewel that is the Town Hall from another angle!
📍Address: Grand Place, 1, Brussels
📆 Dates: multiple dates
Oysters and tapas at the Jardin des Olives!
This Saturday, head to the Jardin des Olives Wine Bar for the Oysters and Tapas event, a cozy gourmet experience. Enjoy Gillardeau oysters, organic tapas and a glass of white wine or bubbly, while taking in the warm ambience and view of the Notre-Dame de Bon Secours church. An ideal break after your stroll through the Christmas Market!
📍 Address: Rue du Marché au Charbon, 96, 1000 Brussels
📆 Dates: Every Saturday until the end of December, 6.30pm
A creative Christmas in Brussels
Fancy experiencing a Christmas market like no other this weekend? Head for <shortcode data-tag=”trackLink” 0=”link_url=”https://www.facebook.com/events/3225596874243296/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22discovery_custom_tab%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D”>%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D”]le Noël des Créateurs in Brussels, a festive event celebrating local artisans from November 23 to December 15. Every weekend, a dozen Belgian designers present their treasures, from clothing to jewelry to ceramics, all in a warm atmosphere with DJ sets, concerts and mulled wine. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to unearth original, ethical gifts, while enjoying a convivial experience in the heart of the Belgian capital.
📍 Address: Avenue de Flore 3/4 – 1000 Brussels
📆 Dates: Saturday November 23 to Sunday December 15, 2024
Immerse yourself in the history of China’s First Emperor and his Terracotta Army
At Tour & Taxis, a vibrant cultural venue, the exhibition “Terracotta Army. And the First Emperor of China”, invites visitors on an incredible journey back in time. Travel 2,200 years back in time to the Middle Kingdom and discover over 300 reproductions of objects found on the necropolis site, all in a spectacular, immersive setting.
📍 Address: Tour & Taxis, Shed 2 – Avenue du Port 86C (SHED 2), 1000
📆 Dates: from October 9, 2024
Immerse yourself in theatrical emotion!
This weekend, let yourself be transported by captivating works in Brussels. Discover Le Dieu du Carnage at Théâtre Le Public, an acidic exploration of human relationships, or marvel at La Belle et la Bête at Théâtre Royal du Parc, a classic revisited with poetry, ideal for the whole family. These shows promise total immersion in the dramatic arts! For more ideas, explore our selection of not-to-be-missed plays this season here.
Give objects a second life with VROUM Atelier
This weekend, lovers of sustainable design have a date with the Auberge Espagnole Artisanat in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, where VROUM Atelier is exhibiting its unique upcycling creations. Passionate founder Véronique Dechamps showcases her masterfully transformed chairs and armchairs, combining artisanal techniques with contemporary aesthetics. The 89m² workshop-boutique, located at 234 avenue Georges Henri, offers the perfect opportunity to unearth an original piece for your home while supporting local craftsmanship. Don’t miss the workshops offered on site to learn the secrets of weaving and upcycling, a creative and eco-responsible activity that’s a must-do.
📍 Address Pop-up Auberge Espagnole Artisanat – 234, av Georges Henri B- 1200 Woluwe-St-Lambert
📆 Dates: November 8, 2024 – February 21, 2025
Discover a parallel future in the heart of the Botanique de Bruxelles
This weekend, embark on a fascinating journey through time at the Botanique de Bruxelles. Artist Yannick Jacquet’s “Futur(s) Parallèle(s)“ exhibition transforms the historic greenhouses into a futuristic diorama where past and future collide. From faux cyberpunk caves to fake video-game stunts, this introspective stroll invites you to rethink our relationship with the future. An immersive experience that skilfully blends romantic references and contemporary visual codes, for a timeless weekend in the heart of the Belgian capital.
📍 Address: Botanique – Rue Royale 236 Koningsstraat 1210 Brussels
📆 Dates: November 14, 2024 – February 02, 2025
Explore the Birth of a Work of Art
The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium invite you to discover how a work of art is born through a captivating exhibition dedicated to the sketch. Immerse yourself in the intimacy of artistic creation with nearly 100 emblematic works, ranging from the 15th to the 20th century, and admire rare pieces by great masters such as Rubens, Rembrandt and Magritte, while gaining a new perspective on the creative process.
📍Address: Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium. Rue de la Régence 3, 1000 Brussels
📆 Dates: October 11, 2024 – February 16, 2025
Taste Belgian Christmas beers
As the festive season approaches, immerse yourself in the world of Belgian Christmas beers, a tasty tradition that comes in several unique styles. These beers, often fruity or spicy, are perfect to accompany your festive meals or for a moment of conviviality with friends. Discover classics like Chimay Bleue or Scaldis Noël, or let yourself be seduced by the creations of craft breweries that add an original touch to the season. Don’t miss out on a 100% Belgian holiday season!
Rediscover the automobile as a work of art
Can a car be perceived as a work of art? It all depends on your vision of art! Under the influence of the Bauhaus, where art is both aesthetic and functional, the automobile can transcend its utilitarian role to become a true artistic expression. This is the idea that Autoworld explores in this exhibition. From sketch to final model, some cars do more than just drive. In fact, they arouse emotions and inspire with their unique design. From the Bugatti 35 ‘Art Car’ to the legendary Lamborghini Miura, from the Citroën DS to the Audi TT Bauhaus, this experience will fascinate lovers of fine engineering and aesthetics.
📍Address: Autoworld. Parc du Cinquantenaire 11, 1000 Brussels
📆Dates: September 6 to December 15, 2024
Spend time in your own bubble at Tour & Taxis
Bubbles and more bubbles: this is the inflated concept behind Bubble Planet, an unusual immersive experience that plunges visitors into a dreamlike universe made of… bubbles. The program includes a ball pool, spherical decors, delirious photocalls, impressive digital projections, ultra-bright LEDs… At Tour & Taxis, young and old alike are invited to dream big as they take part in a never-before-seen interactive journey !
📍Address: Tour & Taxis, Shed 2 – Avenue du Port 86C (SHED 2), 1000 Brussels
📆 Date: Several dates available over the weekend
Discover the artistic world of Elliott Erwitt
Elliott Erwitt, one of the most eminent photographers of the 20ᵉ century and a member of Magnum Photos, is honored in a huge retrospective at number 5, Grand Place. In all: over 200 black & white and color photographs, plunging you into a fun, offbeat universe around current social themes. Quite simply, this is the exhibition of the moment! What’s more, you can already mark your diary: on November 7, during Rendez-Woof, you can visit the exhibition with your four-legged friend!
📍Address: Grand Place, number 5, 1000 Brussels
📆 Date: Several dates available over the weekend
Treat yourself to a gastronomic experience in one of Brussels’ finest restaurants
Immerse yourself in the culinary world of Brussels by treating yourself to an unforgettable gastronomic experience in one of the capital’s finest restaurants. You’ll be amazed by the quality of the produce, the creativity of the chefs and the unique atmosphere that makes every meal an exceptional experience. To discover our favorite restaurants, check out our article dedicated to the crème de la crème of Brussels’ gastronomic scene here!
Take part in a surreal experience
Installed in the fascinating Galerie Horta, just a stone’s throw from Grand-Place, “Magritte: The Immersive Experience” is the exhibition of the moment! With virtual reality, a 360º digital show and a 3D reconstruction of the painter’s studio, Magritte ‘s works take on a whole new dimension. Wander through the different rooms, interact with the works, and discover the surrealist work of the Belgian painter as you’ve never seen it before!
📍Address: Galerie Horta, Rue du Marché aux Herbes 116, 1000 Brussels
📆 Date: Several dates available over the weekend
Let yourself be bewitched by “Harry Potter: Visions of Magic”
For a magical weekend in Brussels, visit “Harry Potter: Visions of Magic” at Tour & Taxis. This interactive multimedia show plunges you into the bewitching world of the most famous wizard of all time, with multi-sensory installations and technological feats. Explore iconic locations from the saga, such as the Room on Demand and the Ministry of Magic, with immersive visual and sound effects. Tickets start at €20.50 for children and €26.50 for adults.
📍Address: Tour & Taxis – Rue Dieudonné Lefèvre 248, 1020 Brussels
📆 Date: Several dates available
Treat yourself to homemade shrimp croquettes!
This weekend, try your hand at an unmissable Belgian specialty: shrimp croquettes! These crunchy little bites, made with gray shrimp, creamy béchamel sauce and golden breadcrumbs, are a typical delicacy often enjoyed on the Belgian coast. Here’s the traditional recipe for preparing tasty shrimp croquettes at home, just like in the best restaurants in Ostend. Get cooking!