Belgium unveils major 2026 cultural programmes in Bruges exhibition and Brussels summer events

The new BRUSK art centre in Bruges opened with the "Vision large" exhibition, which runs until 6 September 2026. Curated by historian Peter Frankopan, the show presents 250 artefacts tracing Bruges' role from the 9th to the 16th century as a hub of medieval trade and cultural exchange across Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia and the Americas.

In Brussels, the city council announced the 2026 "Plaisirs d’été" programme. Highlights include the immersive PRODIGY12 installation at Place De Brouckère (19 June‑23 August), the Vaux Hall Summer concerts and open‑air cinema (17 June‑19 July), an expanded Quai d’Été along the canal (2‑19 July), the 20th‑anniversary Classissimo classical music series (5‑11 August) and the Brussels Dance Festival (14‑23 August). The schedule aims to position Brussels as a European dance capital by 2030 and offers a range of family‑friendly and participatory activities throughout the summer.