What’s on 12-18 Jun 2025

⭐ This Week's Top Picks 

The Aretha Franklin Experience & Pete Doherty in concert. Spend an afternoon in tribute to the Queen of Soul and an evening with indie rock star, Pete Doherty.

Swimming & Cycling: Dip into (or watch) the Brugge Urban Swim, and follow the pro cyclists compete in the famous Elfstedenronde (Eleven Cities Tour). 

Join the Brugge Pride & Parade event in the centre of the city, jointly organised by Bruges LGBTQIA groups and students of the College of Europe.

🎨 🎻 🧺  Art, Music & Markets

The Aretha Franklin Experience. “Due to illness, the Nostalgia concert of The Aretha Franklin Experience on Sunday February 23rd was cancelled. In the meantime, we found a new date together with the group. The concert will take place on Sunday, June 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM in the Royal City Theatre.

Aretha Franklin was at the top for six decades. Her biggest hits were interpretations of songs like (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, Say a little prayer and Respect. Her spirit inspired musicians and world leaders. That fire also touched the artists of The Aretha Franklin Experience. They guarantee a soulful afternoon, interspersed with infectious gospel and blues. One moment you get a sublime ballad, the next you swing along enthusiastically. The band, the horns and the fantastic singers bring a mighty tribute to the Queen of Soul. Free Nostalgia ball afterwards in the foyer.” 

Tickets: €7-22. 15 Jun, 15:00. Stadsschouwburg, Vlamingstraat 29.

https://www.ccbrugge.be/agenda/4332//the-aretha-franklin-experience

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 (14 Jun) will be on ‘t Zand, and the Wednesday market (18 Jun) 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 Phoenician Scheme, Peak Season, The Surfer, and Lilo & Stitch. 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 and showings over the coming week including How To Train Your Dragon, The Life of Chuck, Ballerina, Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning, and The Phoenician Scheme. A standard ticket costs €14,10. Visit https://kinepolis.be/nl/nl/movies/overview/ for more information and bookings.

⚽ Game On: Sports & Recreation

Cycling: Elfstedenronde (Eleven Cities Tour). “The Netherlands has the Elfstedentocht, Belgium the Elfstedenronde. The West Flemish cycling race got its symbolic name because it passes through so many cities. Iconic names such as Rik Van Steenbergen, Rik Van Looy and Freddy Maertens are on the honours list. But despite the passage of the big stars, the race disappeared from the calendar.

In 2017, the Elfstedenronde was dusted off after an absence of almost thirty years, and with immediate success. This wind and cobblestone race, with start and finish in Bruges, was an immediate hit with a gripping duel between Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel. With Tim Merlier, Fabio Jakobsen and Jasper Philipsen, it is clear that the fast guns from the peloton have always been partying in recent years.

Who will prove to be the fastest in Bruges this time and add his name to the beautiful list of honours?”

15 Jun, 13:00-17:30. Grote Markt, Spoorwegstraat 14, 8200 Brugge

https://lottobelgiumcup.be/elfstedenronde/

Urban Swim Brugge 2025. “On Saturday 14 June 2025, the LANGEREIZWEMMERS, in collaboration with STAD BRUGGE, will organize the annual URBAN SWIM BRUGGE. This special open water swimming event takes you through the iconic canals of Bruges, from the historic Vismarkt to the Dampoort. Whether you are an experienced open water swimmer or want to make your first swimming strokes in open water, this event will be a unique and unforgettable experience.

Afterwards you can enjoy a drink and a snack in the atmospheric garden and bar of HOUSE of TIME, located on the Komvest next to the finish. Experience Bruges from a unique perspective and enjoy a sporty evening in a magical setting. Don't miss it!”  14 Jun, 18:00-22:00, Vismarkt.

https://www.langereizwemmers.be/

https://www.langereizwemmers.be/assets/files/REGLEMENT-BRIEFINGUSB2025.pdf

🍻🎶 Bruges After Dark: Nightlife

Peter ‘Pete’ Doherty + Purrses (re-scheduled event) 

“As an actor, writer, artist, and above all, musician, Peter ‘Pete’ Doherty has made a significant mark on the noughties. He first rose to fame as the songwriter of The Libertines, later with his band Babyshambles, as part of The Puta Madres, and as a solo artist. The British tabloids and music press were equally captivated by his escapades, as he became the quintessential enfant terrible of British pop music, regularly gracing the front pages.

Though the wildest years are now behind him, there is newfound room to reflect on Peter Doherty's artistic qualities. Consider him a central figure in indie rock, a songwriter whose work stands shoulder to shoulder with the greats. His music in the raw and tumultuous world of indie rock remains defined by absolute authenticity. Since reuniting with Carl Barât in The Libertines, Doherty has been playing bigger stages than ever, while also working on new solo material. The man who claims to be happiest with a guitar or pen in hand continues to be a challenging and endlessly fascinating artist.

After The Libertines toured sold-out arenas across the UK and Europe with their latest album 'All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade' in 2024, 2025 will focus on Doherty's solo work. In February, his exhibition ‘Felt Better Alive’ opens in Berlin, and later in the spring, he will embark on a tour, performing at a select number of smaller venues. Cactus Club is proud to be part of this exciting chapter!”

Purrses. “Purrses is a glam wave / art rock band with a female front. A sharp ear for both pop style and raw guitar sounds. It’s a reversed time machine: 70s glam grooves, razor-sharp riffs, and a pop sensibility distorted by the Brussels underground scene. Unique song compositions with a modern twist, combined with songwriting that radiates a certain naïve cynicism.

“After Peter Doherty's show, Jente Neels will be spinning records at Cactus Café. You might know Jente as a member of the band of Sylvie Kreusch, Ratmosphere, and from her own project JEN, with which she recently supported Lola Young in Brussels. She’s putting together a personal selection of favorites especially for the evening.”

(Last) Tickets: €31-38. 14 Jun, 20:00. Cactus Muziekcentrum, Bargeweg 10

https://www.cactusmusic.be/EN/Concerts/Calendar/peter-doherty-2

🌈 Family Fun: Events & Adventures

Brugge Pride & Parade Party - BruGay & Queeropeans Europacollege event. “The students of the Queeropeans are proud to announce the second Bruges Pride event happening this year on the 14th June. Building on the last year’s event led by the Queeropeans of the Madeline Albright Promotion, this year the students of the Queeropeans have collaborated with both Bruges LGBTQIA groups and organisations in Brussels to celebrate the local community as well as across Europe. The event will consist of a parade through the centre of Bruges from 15h00 followed by a street party at the Q Bar, Bruges’ local queer space.” 

15 Jun, 15:00-16:30, Garenmarkt 15, Q Bar, Beenhouwersstraat 1.

https://www.coleurope.eu/student-event-bruges-pride-2025

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 15, 18 Jun. Tickets: €6-12, FREE for children under 6. Concertgebouw ('t Zand 34.) https://ticketshop.ticketmatic.com/concertgebouw/shop

🌤️🌧️ Weather

Sunny weather is forecast this week with daytime temperatures expected in the mid 20s°C.☀️

Find latest forecasts covering Bruges at: https://www.meteo.be/en/belgium