The Brussels Renaissance Festival (BRF) begins today, Sunday 17 May 2026, transforming Belgium’s capital into a vibrant celebration of European heritage and the city’s Renaissance past. For eight weeks, until 4 July, Brussels will host a rich programme of events, activities, and immersive experiences, transporting visitors back to the era when Emperor Charles V ruled much of Europe and made Brussels his principal residence.
Highlights of the festival: Coudenberg Family Day
The festival kicks off with the Coudenberg Family Day on 17 May at the historic Coudenberg Palace. Visitors of all ages can dive into Brussels’ Renaissance history through a range of activities, including crossbow shooting, dressing up in period costumes, Spanish fencing, crafts, and games inspired by the works of Pieter Bruegel the Elder.
Gudula26: 800 years of the Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula
This year marks the 800th anniversary of the Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula, celebrated under the name Gudula26. Daytime guided tours will highlight the cathedral’s stunning stained-glass windows and intricate interior. During the BRF, special evening tours will also take visitors up into the cathedral’s towers for a unique perspective.
Brussels City Hall
A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, the Brussels City Hall offers an interactive experience with a video guide featuring 23 stages. Weekend tours will include access to its impressive tower, providing panoramic views of the city.
Bart Van Loo’s ‘Stoute Schoenen’ podwalk
Renowned storyteller Bart Van Loo leads a historical walking tour, ‘Stoute Schoenen – A Burgundian Walk in Brussels‘, taking participants through iconic locations and ending at the KBR Museum.
Van Loo has curated a special exhibition of Burgundian manuscripts and, in collaboration with KBR, created a museum trail with texts accompanying unique pieces from the KBR collections.
Ommegang: a UNESCO-recognised spectacle
The annual Ommegang folklore festival takes place on Wednesday 1 July, and Friday 3 July. The event includes a Renaissance Market in the Sablon neighbourhood, showcasing high-quality historical products.
On both days at 19:30, the Crossbow Shooting Competition will be held, followed at 21:00 by the Historical Parade, featuring around 1,400 costumed participants reenacting the 1549 entry of Emperor Charles V and his son, the young Philip. The grand finale is the Ommegang Show, with spectacular flag throwers performing on the Grand Place. The Ommegang is recognised as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Two hours before the Ommegang begins, visitors can witness the final preparations with a guided tour. Additionally, the Coudenberg Palace hosts an exhibition featuring contemporary artistic reinterpretations of the Ommegang by Phil Van Duynen.
More to explore
The BRF offers a diverse range of additional activities. On 17 May, a fanfare will march towards Manneken Pis, who will don his 1,160th costume as Charles V in honour of the festival. The Coudenberg Palace will also host a city game in the Royal Quarter.
Until 14 June, the Palace of Fine Arts (BOZAR) presents ‘Bellezza e Bruttezza‘, an exhibition exploring beauty and ugliness in the Renaissance.
Visitors can also explore the Erasmus House in Anderlecht, one of Brussels’ oldest buildings, alongside the newly renovated Beguinage and the Collegiate Church of St Peter and St Guido.
For those interested in art and history, Itinéraires offers guided walks in Anderlecht, visits to the Broodhuis to admire its stones, altarpieces, and paintings, and explorations of the city’s old ramparts.
The Marolles area will host a Bruegel-themed walk. Brussels Babbelt will provide tours, including in the Sablon area, while the Halle Gate opens its doors to immerse visitors in a medieval atmosphere with exhibits linked to Charles V and Archdukes Albert and Isabella.
The festival also features lectures, such as those at the Autrique House, and concerts, including at the Schaerbeek City Hall.
For a full overview of the BRF programme, visit www.brf.brussels.
Exploring Brussels
- BRUSSELS | La Fabrique en ville – Villa Empain – Chalet Robinson – Winter Wonders – Rêve d’Asie.
- REVIEW | ‘Belgian Railways Under Occupation: Between Collaboration and Resistance’ at Train World in Brussels.
- BELGIUM | Meise Botanic Garden.
- REVIEW | ‘Jules Verne 200: An Immersive Journey’ in Brussels.
- REVIEW | ‘A Century of Belgian Comics’ at the Comic(s) Art Museum Brussels by the Belgian Comic Strips Center.
- MUSEUM | House of European History in Brussels.
- Visiting the European Parliament in Brussels.
- RIDE & DINE | Brussels Tram Experience.
- REVIEW | M-Gallery Le Louise in Brussels.
- Inside the Royal Palace of Brussels.
- Brussels’ Atomium.
- REVIEW | Orient-Express exhibition at Train World, Brussels’ railway museum.
- The orange world of Design Museum Brussels.
- AfricaMuseum in Tervuren near Brussels.
- Brussels Planetarium.
- Brussels’ Gare Maritime.
- Brussels’ Pannenhuis Park and L28 Park.
- Brussels’ Senne Park.
- The Hotel. Brussels.
- REVIEW | ‘Royals & Trains’ exhibition at Train World in Brussels.
- Ducal and Imperial Palace of Coudenberg in Brussels.
- MIMA – Millennium Iconoclast Museum of Art in Brussels.
- Villa Empain in Brussels.
- Pullman Brussels Centre Midi.
- Autoworld automobile museum in Brussels.
- Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels, Belgium.
- Royal Military Museum, War Heritage Institute, Brussels, Belgium.
- PHOTOS | Train World railway museum in Brussels.
- Josaphat Park and residential Schaerbeek.
- BRUSSELS | BELvue Museum of Belgium.
