What to do in Brussels in January? The end-of-year festivities are well and truly behind us, but that doesn’t mean we have to let ourselves fall into post-holiday depression. The editors of Bruxelles Secrète have rolled up their sleeves to come up with a list of cultural activities and outings to spice up your daily routine. Exhibitions, cultural and immersive experiences, shows, parties… Follow our schedule, you won’t get bored!
The LUMINISCENCE sound and light show at Saints-Michel-et-Gudule Cathedral
It’s one of the brightest events of the winter: LUMINISCENCE illuminates the Cathedral of Saints-Michel-et-Gudule, a masterpiece of Brabantine Gothic, with an immersive show on a monumental scale. After a dazzling success with over a million spectators worldwide, a new chapter has opened in Brussels. Combining narration, music and 360-degree video-mapping, this absolutely unprecedented experience is a must-see this season.
Dates: multiple dates
Location: Saints-Michel-et-Gudule Cathedral, Place Sainte-Gudule, Brussels, 1000
Goya in light and shadow at Bozar
This January in Brussels, head to Bozar for the exhibition “Luz y sombra. Goya and Spanish Realism“. Between monumental portraits, festive scenes and darker canvases, you’ll discover the richness of Spanish art. The exhibition also dialogues with modern artists, to show Goya’s lasting influence on the European scene. A perfect cultural outing in Brussels to warm up your winter weekends.
📆 Dates: until January 11, 2026
📍Address: Palais des Beaux-Arts – Bozar, Rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Brussels
A Candlelight concert
At the Concert Noble, the Planetarium of the Royal Observatory of Belgium, or the Théâtre du Vaudeville, Candlelight candlelight concerts are making a grand comeback in 2026. If you missed them in 2025, this is your year, they’re waiting for you brighter than ever with ever more modern versions of your favorite artists, reinvented under a new light!
📆 Dates : Multiple dates
📍Addresses: Concert Noble, Planetarium of the Royal Observatory of Belgium, Théâtre du Vaudeville, Steingenberger Witcher’s…
Ceramic Brussels: the ceramics show at Tour & Taxis
In January, Brussels plays host to Ceramic Brussels, a major event dedicated to contemporary ceramics. Over 60 Belgian and international galleries unveil creations with bold shapes and fascinating textures. Spain is the guest of honor, bringing a Mediterranean touch to this unique artistic event. A must for art lovers and the curious in search of inspiration.
📆 Dates: January 21-25, 2026
📍Address: Tour & Taxis, Av. du Port 88, Brussels
La Semaine du Son
From January 26, 2026, the 16th edition of La Semaine du Son invites you to think differently about music by exploring the theme of sounds emitted by nature. Between art and ecological awareness, the event will be punctuated by concerts, conferences and exhibitions in various Brussels venues such as the Musée des Instruments de Musique and the Académie ANDERLECHT.
📅 Date: From January 26, 2026
📍Address: various locations in Brussels
The Jury Experience at Espace Lumen
Immerse yourself in The Jury Experience, the immersive activity that transforms Brussels into an interactive courtroom! For 60 minutes, you’re no longer a mere spectator: you become a juror in a breathless trial where the outcome depends on you. With testimonies to analyze, evidence to weigh and fatal dilemmas to debate (a fatal accident involving an autonomous car, who’s responsible?), each decision shapes the story and influences the final verdict. It’s a bit of theater, a bit of a game, and above all, a social and intellectual experiment that challenges conventional wisdom while stimulating your neurons. Perfect for an original January outing in Brussels, whether with friends, family or a curious duo.
📅 Date : Multiple dates
📍Address: Espace Lumen
Mons en Lumières Festival, 1 hour from Brussels
Just an hour’s drive from Brussels, the Mons en Lumières festival awaits you from January 22 to 25, 2026. On the program: no fewer than 26 installations and light projections to discover in the city center of the pretty town of Mons, just 1 hour from Brussels by car or train. And what’s more, it’s free… Go for it!
📅 Date: from January 25, 2026
📍Address: Mons, 53053