Bruges Events

What better way to celebrate Worker’s Day (1 May) than staging a free rock concert? Taking place in the beautiful Astridpark, this annual shin dig is a lively little event and a great place to check out some of Belgium’s up and coming rock bands.

Another free music festival, the Bruges Triple Days is an annual celebration of local talent that usually descends into well-spirited revelry. Over three days, a motley crew of artists show what they are made of at this friendly and informal event.

‘Like Glastonbury but without the mud’ claim the tourist board. This small, open-air festival has got nothing on Glasto, but it’s a cracking little event if you enjoy live music. Now entering its third decade, the Cactus Festival has a rock and pop flavour with artists such as Mogwai and Kate Nash having appeared in previous line ups.

This open-air festival is one of Bruges’ most popular cultural events, galvanising locals and visitors of all ages with its broad appeal. Focussing on music, film and comedy, the largely free event last for two weeks and takes place throughout the city. Live acts play a series of concerts and there’s even an open-air cinema playing films. Not to be missed.

Bruges’ fairytale Old Town is a magical place to be during the festivities and the countdown to Christmas begins at the end of November, when seasonal stalls start appearing in the Markt Square. The atmosphere is electric at this Christmas market, which is a great place to pick up presents, souvenirs and festive foods.

A celebration of contemporary dance, this fun and funky festival takes place in December every year. The event has fast become one of Bruges’ cultural highlights and those attending can enjoy a packed programme of performances as well as live music.

The Bruges Beer Festival needs little explanation; you turn, work through as many beers as possible and stagger home with the dawning realisation that tomorrow will be a write-off. But it’s well worth the hangover because this cracking festival has over 300 Belgium beers on tap and some excellent Flemish cuisine to soak it all up with.

Every year, the Novo Film Festival brings world cinema to Bruges. A mixture of premiers, shorts and features from Africa, Asia and Latin America are played in city’s art house cinemas and are watched by approximately 20,000 movie buffs. This popular event has been running for over 30 years and aims to promote foreign cultures in Belgium.

The relic of the Holy Blood (a blood-stained cloth retrieved from the crucifixion) was brought to Bruges in 1149. Ever since, it has been the subject of great veneration and, since 1303, of a magnificent religious procession. The tradition is maintained each year by about 1,500 local people in medieval and crusader costume in a spectacular, mile-long procession through the historic streets of the city. The event is divided into two parts, beginning with biblical and historic floats representing scenes from the Bible. The second part depicts the journey of the relic to Bruges, carried by the Count of Flanders, to its home in the Basilica of St Basil. This is one of the oldest and most beautiful historical and religious processions in continental Europe, attracting thousands of visitors and pilgrims. Seats (if required) and accommodation must be reserved well in advance.