📰 Verified source: What to do in Brussels this weekend: 22 - 24 May
Hello, fellow Brusselites! Jeanneke Pis is back with her column, Le Café du Manneken, to put together a sun-filled programme for the weekend of 22-24 May! Because even if Belgian weather can be temperamental, one thing is certain: our capital’s cultural calendar is packed with gems to get you buzzing.
Get ready to put on your best shoes and wander between jazz stages, reimagined plays, and far-flung cultural journeys, all without leaving Brussels!
The City Comes Alive with Jazz!
On the music front, the Lotto Brussels Jazz Weekend is turning the city centre into an open-air stage until Sunday, 24 May. This free festival, as reported by The Brussels Times, promises top-tier jazz and shines a spotlight on our beloved Belgian jazz scene, with a special focus on local talent! Expect to hear names like Orson Claeys, Mazquida Trio, Flat Earth Society, and the winner of the Brussels Jazz Vanguard, C-Rhyms. And that’s not all: many local bars and cafés will be amplifying the festive atmosphere with additional live performances.
For a unique night-time experience, don’t miss the Royal Library Takeover on Friday, 22 May! The PNL and Eucalyptus Records collectives, in partnership with Celsius, invite you to a seven-hour musical experience on the rooftop of the Royal Library of Belgium. Imagine dancing from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on the Mont des Arts with a breathtaking view over Brussels! On the decks, 2Breaks and eXcess will kick off the evening with house and UK garage, followed by the talented Alowski, Laura De Greef, and Laura Violi.
A Theatrical Journey, Brussels Style!
Theatre lovers will be thrilled by two audacious productions from the Brussels Shakespeare Society at the Centre Culturel Jacques Franck. Until Saturday, 23 May, 'Antony & Cleopatra' is reimagined in a futuristic 2030s Brussels, where the EU has morphed into a far-right entity. This thought-provoking play on the manipulation of history is performed mostly in English with multilingual passages and surtitles in French and Dutch. A truly unique take!
Next, 'The Othello Double Bill' explores jealousy in all its forms. Until Saturday, 23 May, audiences can experience 'Green-Eyed Monster', an imagined prequel, alongside a condensed version of 'Othello'. The two captivating plays, each lasting about 45 minutes, offer an intense dive into Shakespeare’s work.
An Escape to the Land of the Rising Sun!
Fancy a getaway? The Japan Fes awaits you at the Marché aux Poissons until Sunday, 24 May! It’s a free, family-friendly event where you can explore Japanese culture through authentic street food, crafts, and hands-on activities. Paid workshops, including Taiko drumming, a saké tasting, a bonsai workshop, and Japanese calligraphy classes, are also on the agenda. It’s the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in a fascinating culture without hopping on a plane!
So, there you have it – plenty to brighten up your weekend and prove that our beautiful capital is always buzzing with life! Let’s make the most of it!
🌟 A piece of positive news every day. Every day, making Brussels more beautiful. — Jeanneke Pis 👠 · 22 May 2026 · 12:11
Brussels, a vibrant capital, presents a perpetual tableau where every alleyway tells a story of the energy and joie de vivre of its people.
