Design festival: Design September

From 8 to 30 September Brussels

As every autumn, the month of September is all about design in Belgium’s capital. The annual festival connects and showcases Brussels’ eclectic design scene by offering a multitude of exhibitions, pop-up shops, tours and workshops all over town. A definite highlight is the Brussels Design Market at Tour & Taxis, the largest vintage market in Europe for 20th century design and furniture.

Art marathon: Brussels Gallery Weekend

From 8 to 11 September Brussels

Art-starved after this awfully long summer break? Then this is exactly the right menu for you. Brussels’ galleries kick off the new season with a bang this weekend: the annual Gallery Weekend celebrates the general reopening of Brussels’ galleries and art spaces with especially late opening times and shuttle busses between the exhibitions. See the full programme here and stay tuned for our detailed guide on what exhibitions you just cannot miss!

Night out: Salut C’est Cool DJ set at Café Belga

Friday, 9 September Brussels

If you’re in the mood for a (free!) night out in a cozy atmosphere, this one is for you. Café Belga, normally more bar than club, invites the funny French bunch Salut C’est Cool this month for a dancy DJ set. The Parisians, located somewhere between music and art project, are known for their quirky electro-punk. And by the way, if you need a break from the dancefloor, there’s Brussels’ (or Belgium’s?) best fritkot right next door.

Art festival: Borg 2016

From 2 to 11 September Antwerp

“Gentrify Everything” is the very topical theme of Antwerp art festival Borg, founded in 2014. This second edition comprises one big central exhibition, open studio days, and an extensive programme of lectures, expos and panel talks. As the organisers put it so eloquently: “Gentrification is a delicate issue, especially in artistic circles. Well aware of the risk of hypocrisy, contributing to what it purports to criticize, Borg 2016 chose to embrace rather than to resist, putting forward the provocative slogan Gentrify Everything”. ‘Nuff said. 

Exhibition opening: Xerox at Société

Opens Sunday, 11 September Brussels

Art space Societé is located in the former “Société Bruxelloise d’Electricité”, a factory in Molenbeek constructed in the 1930s. It’s only one of many cultural hotspots in the neighbourhood with the bad image, proving there is much more to it than one might think. The group show “Xerox” explores different aspects of our current “copy-paste” culture, and on opening day there is music and even a brunch.

Art book fair: Artists Print V at BRASS

From 9 to 11 September Brussels

This weekend Brussels’ Brass invites art and book lovers to an event dedicated to the printed matter championing independent publishers and self-published artist books. Discover a vast selection of zines, books and all kinds of paper creations by about 40 different publishers from Belgium and other European countries and don’t miss the DJ set by Fat Chance at the opening night on Friday.

Cafe launch: Butchers Coffee

10 September Antwerp

Listen up, coffee nerds: if you’re as passionate about your daily cup of coffee as sommeliers are about wine, then you should without a doubt this new coffee paradise in Antwerp. It’s opening its doors for the very first time this week, go check it out!

Drawing fair: Art on Paper at Bozar

From 8 to 11 September Brussels

And the paper theme continues: this weekend Bozar hosts  “Art on Paper”, a fair that’s solely dedicated to the art of drawing, paying tribute to the sometimes under-appreciated genre and its multiple forms and techniques. 25 selected galleries are participating, each presenting a solo exhibition of one of their artists. 

Night out: Opening Party at A210

Saturday, 10 September Brussels

After the summer break Atelier 210 opens its doors again for the new cultural season, and you’re invited to the kickoff night this Saturday. The beautiful venue, located in Etterbeek, is known for its eclectic programme of theatre, concerts, parties and festivals. The night starts with outdoor drinks and continues with listening sessions, a cocktail bar, and of course a huge party.

Cover photo by Miles Fischler