What’s on 10-16 Apr 2025
⭐ This Week's Top Picks
Classical CLUB Surround: Sit on the stage, in the middle of the Brussels Philharmonic orchestra, in this unique experience with music from renowned classical composers!
Belpop Nostalgia: Enjoy music honouring the legacy of cowboy hat-wearing Belpop god, Bobbejaan Schoepen.
Visual arts exhibition - Polychrome. A sample of Bruges artists who express themselves with verve through a range of colours.
🎨 🎻 🧺 Art, Music & Markets
Classical - CLUB Surround - Brussels Philharmonic orchestra. “Normally, it goes like this: you sit in the concert hall and listen to the orchestra on the stage. Beautiful. But in CLUB Surround things are a little different. Now you sit on the stage, in the middle of the orchestra. Your whole body starts to vibrate. You experience rhythm and melody like never before. You follow the conductor's instructions from a few metres away. In short, you feel like you are in the music and the music is in you, a unique experience!” The programme includes music from Mendelssohn, Richard Strauss, Lehár, Vaughan Williams, Prokofiev and Hindemith. 10,11,12 Apr. Tickets: €13-26. Concertgebouw, ‘t Zand 34. https://www.concertgebouw.be/en/club-surround-12
Jazz - Sam Hinnekens Trio. “Jazz on Friday evening and with artists from Bruges. Drummer Sam Hinnekens and his trio will bring an evening full of jazz. Flor Wellens (piano), Toon Rumen (double bass) and Sam Hinnekens (drums) have managed to develop a strong musical bond. The trio will provide an evening with a varied program, from their own compositions to existing work with an emphasis on improvisation and ensemble playing. Let yourself be carried away on a journey through the rich world of jazz music.” Tickets: €3-11. 11 Apr, 20:00. MaZ - Magdalenastraat 27. https://www.ccbrugge.be/agenda/4351//sam-hinnekens-trio
Blues & Roots - Brugotta (Bruges Got Talent) event. “We complement the program of Bruges bands with Belgian and international acts. We start with Dirty5, the finalists of the Belgian Blues Challenge. Later in the evening we will have performances by Travellin' Blue and Tomislav Goluban. Wille and the Bandits will close the evening. Wille and the Bandits have grown from street musicians to an internationally recognized band. Their unique mix of guitar work and songwriting has earned them a lot of praise. They are known for their energetic live performances and have performed worldwide, including at the Olympic Games in London and the German TV show Rockpalast. They have toured with rock legends such as Joe Bonamassa and Deep Purple. Their innovative approach to blues rock and their growing fan base make them one of the most respected acts in the industry. In between the bands, you can enjoy the upcoming talent of Sunn, who will provide short performances in the foyer. Clarksville Station DJ Stan Geernaert strings everything together with a picture.” Tickets: €3-6. 12 Apr, 18:00. MaZ - Magdalenastraat 27. https://www.ccbrugge.be/agenda/4352/dirty5-travellin-blue-tomislav-goluban-wille-and-the-bandits-sunn/blues-roots
Bobbejaan 100 - Belpop Nostalgia. “The fact that some tourists dare to confuse the Kempen ridge with the American prairie, we have one man to thank for. Bobbejaan Schoepen became a country hero of Belgium. He did not sing about saloons or the Mississippi river, but about Café zonder bier and De lichtjes van de Schelde. Schoepen inspired because the authenticity dripped from his cowboy hat. It is therefore not surprising that he continues to inspire artists to this day. Established names such as Jan De Smet and Barbara Dex, but also younger foals such as Nele Paelinck and Otto-Jan Ham will honor the musical legacy of this Belpop god.” Tickets: €7-22. 13 Apr, 15:00. Stadsschouwburg, Vlamingstraat 29.
Visual Arts: Polychrome - Group exhibition. “We leave the darkness and bathe in light. This is the second part of an exhibition diptych. Last season, at the exhibition Kwart voor Nacht, we showed a dark expo with Bruges artists who express themselves through black-and-white photography. Now it is the turn of colourful painting. This time, the house artist is also showing a work that contrasts with the polychrome works of a dozen Bruges painters. The exhibition Polychroom (Polychrome) presents a sample of Bruges artists who express themselves with verve through a range of colours. Expect a pigment festival full of colourful goodies!” FREE. Until 4 May (opening hours Thursday to Sunday from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.). Exhibition space Poortersloge - Kraanrei 19. https://www.ccbrugge.be/agenda/4371/groepstentoonstelling/polychroom
Exhibition: Political cartoons. “Europa Direct West Flanders invites you to take a unique look at the impact of political cartoons! During the month of April 2025, we will present a selection of the most striking political cartoons from all over Europe. The works come from the submissions for the prestigious European Cartoon Award, won by none other than the West Flemish cartoonist Lectrr.” FREE. Until 30 Apr. Europa Direct, Jan Van Eyckplein 2. https://www.visitbruges.be/en/whats-on/events-calendar/cartoonfestival-de-kracht-van-politieke-cartoons
Monster Hit. Liesa Naert is the resident artist this season at the Bruges Cultural Centre. “The monster you never, ever want to encounter. What does that look like? … Inspired by her children's monster drawings, resident artist Liesa Naert is organizing an exhibition in our Biekorf exhibition space. In the theme "Praise of Playfulness" she is investigating, together with the people of Bruges, how impactful the imagination can be and she also wants to immerse adults in that world.” Until 20 Jun. FREE. Exporuimte Biekorf - Sint-Jakobsstraat 8.
https://www.ccbrugge.be/agenda/4370//monsterhit
Weekly markets. The Saturday market (12 Apr) will be on ‘t Zand and the market on Wednesday (16 Apr) will be on the Grote Markt/Burg.
🎬 🎭 Stage, Screen, and Scene
Cinema. Cinema Lumière (Sint-Jakobsstraat 36) will be showing a variety of films over the next week. These include The Outrun, Flow, Soft Leaves, Hard Truths, A Complete Unknown, and The Brutalist. Ticket prices are up to €12, with a family film option before 16:30 costing €9. Visit the cinema’s website for films, timings and bookings: https://lumiere-brugge.be/agenda-lumiere-brugge/
Kinepolis (Koning Albert l-laan 200) will offer films over the coming week including A Minecraft Movie, The Amateur, Disney’s Snow White, A Working Man, and Paddington in Peru. A standard ticket costs €14,10. Visit https://kinepolis.be/nl/nl/movies/overview/ for more information and bookings.
⚽ Game On: Sports & Recreation
Football fans visiting Bruges can watch the city’s two world famous clubs, Brugge KSV (“Club Brugge”) and Cercle Brugge KSV (“Cercle Brugge”) play during the season at the city’s Jan Breydel stadium (Koning Leopold III-laan 50). Club Brugge will meet KRC Genk in the play-offs of the national league.13 Apr, 18:30. https://tickets.clubbrugge.be/
🍻🎶 Bruges After Dark: Nightlife
Belgian punk - Funeral Dress + The Dirty Scums. Don’t miss this final appointment with Funeral Dress at the Cactus Club in Bruges! “Belgian punk legends Funeral Dress are saying goodbye soon, but not without one last pogo-filled blast. The band, led by Dirk Punk, is releasing their first new album since 2010, ‘Goodbye?’, and will be touring one last time through clubs and venues. Formed in the '80s, Funeral Dress was created to revive the sluggish punk scene. Hailing from Herentals, they made it all the way to the legendary CBGB’s stage in New York and punk festivals across the globe. In 2002, the original punks scored an unexpected hit with ‘Party On’ on Studio Brussel’s ‘Afrekening’, and grew into a festival favorite at major events like Pukkelpop, Crammerock, and Suikerrock.
The punk band The Dirty Scums was formed around Christmas 1981 and consists of Dirty Pik, Dirty Zjantie, and Dirty Keez. Having played continuously since their formation, they are the longest-active Belgian punk band by default. The Dirty Scums are DIY at heart, organizing their own gigs and festivals across the country. These un-crowned kings of the Belgian punk scene are here to warm up the crowd for their friends, Funeral Dress.”
Tickets: €20-27. 11 Apr, 19:30. Cactus Muziekcentrum, Bargeweg 10. https://www.cactusmusic.be/EN/Concerts/Calendar/funeral-dress
🌈 Family Fun: Events & Adventures
Kids runs. 10K. Half marathon - Damme Brugge Damme. Take part in the 10th edition of the Damme Brugge Damme races at Domain De Blauwe Zaal. Run along on the extremely fast course through historic Damme and beautiful Bruges, with race distances to suit the family! There are food trucks, plus live music and the Paris-Roubaix cycle race on the big screen to enjoy afterwards. 13 Apr, 12:00-18:00. Manege De Blauwe Zaal Blauwezaalhoek 4, 8310 Sint-Kruis. Contact: hallo@dammebruggedamme.com. Website: https://dammebruggedamme.com/
Travelling exhibition: Bump in sight! Medieval motte & bailey castles in the landscape. “With "Bult in Zich!" we go back in time almost 1000 years. To the Middle Ages, when strange bumps appeared in the landscape all over Europe. Discover the fascinating world of motte castles! These medieval fortifications made of earth and wood were the status symbol of the nobility and often had an important military significance. Visit the travelling exhibition that will travel through the provinces of West Flanders and East Flanders in 2023-2024 and learn more about these impressive buildings and the medieval landscape. From March 1 to April 9, you can visit this exhibition every day in the Church of Lissewege. Free and without reservation! FREE. Until 11 May. O.L.V. Bezoekingskerk, Onder de Toren, 8380 Lissewege.
https://www.west-vlaanderen.be/bult-in-zicht
Atelier Matinée, Concertgebouw (Concert hall). The entrance hall of the Concertgebouw transforms into a play, craft, and discovery zone on (almost) every Sunday morning. FREE, next on 13 Apr, 09:30. https://www.concertgebouw.be/nl/atelier-matinee-en-workshops
Concertgebouw tours. The concert hall offers tours of its architecture and (sound) art exhibition. https://www.concertgebouw.be/nl/concertgebouw-circuit Guided tours are available on some days, including on 11, 13, 16 Apr. Tickets: €6-12, FREE for children under 6. Concertgebouw ('t Zand 34.) https://ticketshop.ticketmatic.com/concertgebouw/shop
🌤️🌧️ Weather
The weather forecast is variable this week, with daytime temperatures ranging from 10°C to a sunny high of 21°C (on Saturday 12th). Some rain is expected on Sunday (13th) and Wednesday (16th).
Find latest forecasts covering Bruges at: https://www.meteo.be/en/belgium