What’s on 15-21 Jan 2026
⭐ This Week's Top Picks
Bach Academie Brugge 2026 continues to fill the Concertgebouw with immersive Bach experiences this week, from world‑class concerts to talks and family‑friendly introductions.
Xink’s “Dag Nul” album‑release show at Cactus Café promises a nostalgic yet energetic night of Belgian pop‑punk that older teens and parents can enjoy together.
Enjoy this quiet January week, perfect for museums, cinemas and pools without the Christmas season festive crowds.
🎨 🎻 🧺 Art, Music & Markets
Bach Academie Brugge 2026. Sat 17 Jan: daytime events such as “Papa Bach” (an English‑language lecture) and intimate “Huismuziekjes” chamber sessions help demystify Bach for curious newcomers. Programme listing:
https://www.concertgebouw.be/nl/programma
Musea Brugge’s permanent collections, including Groeningemuseum and Gruuthusemuseum, are ideal for a warm indoor art day in mid‑winter; check opening hours before visiting. Overview of city museums: https://www.museabrugge.be/en
Markets. The big Saturday market (08:00–13:30) takes place at ’t Zand, the Vrijdagmarkt and Hauwerstraat, with fresh produce, clothes and general stalls; locations only shift when large events or works require it. The Wednesday market (08:00–14:00) runs on the Markt with food, flowers and everyday essentials in a classic Flemish setting.
https://www.visitbruges.be/en/things-to-do/shopping/markets-in-bruges https://www.brugge.be/markten-brugge
🎬 🎭 Stage, Screen, and Scene
Cultuurcentrum Brugge’s 2025–26 season includes the family‑minded theatre piece “Amore di amore” by Theater Froefroe. Tue 20 Jan, 20:00, at the Stadsschouwburg.CC Brugge season page and tickets: https://www.ccbrugge.be/theme/seizoen-2025-2026-qyrt
Check CC Brugge’s online agenda for language details and age guidance. Many shows are Dutch‑language and visually engaging. https://www.ccbrugge.be/agenda
Cinema. Lumière Brugge (Sint‑Jakobsstraat 36) is a cosy city cinema with four screens, showing quality films in original versions with Dutch and/or French subtitles. Here’s their online agenda for this week’s titles and times. https://lumiere-brugge.be/agenda-lumiere-brugge/
Kinepolis Brugge (Koning Albert I‑laan 200) runs mainstream releases and family blockbusters with daily and weekend matinees; programme and booking are via the Kinepolis website. https://kinepolis.be
⚽ Game On: Sports & Recreation
Football. Check out forthcoming match lists for top flight local sides, Club Brugge and Cercle Brugge, in both the national league and UEFA tournaments:
https://www.clubbrugge.be/en/competition/a-kern/a-jupiler-pro-league-2025-2026
https://cerclebrugge.be/teams/a-team/calendar
Stadium tours at Jan Breydel, offered via Club Brugge and Cercle Brugge, give behind‑the‑scenes access to stands, tunnel and dressing rooms, and are an easy bilingual outing for football‑mad kids. Stadium info:
🍻🎶 Bruges After Dark: Nightlife
Sun 18 Jan: Xink bring their “Dag Nul” album‑release show to Cactus Café, with a nostalgic Belgian pop‑punk set in an intimate setting.
https://www.cactusmusic.be/NL/Concerten/Kalender/xink
Mon 19 Jan:, Lydia Lunch & Marc Hurtado play Suicide and the songs of Alan Vega (with support Nathan Roche) at Cactus Café, a raw art‑rock homage suited to adventurous listeners.
Coming up next week … Sat 24 Jan: NAH MEAN’s New Year Celebration at Cactus Club, a high‑energy dancehall party.
https://www.cactusmusic.be/NL/Concerten/Kalender/nah-mean-new-year-celebration
🌈 Family Fun: Events & Adventures
Bach Academie’s “Papa Bach” talk and “Huismuziekjes” mini‑concerts on 17 Jan are particularly accessible for families with older children interested in music. Event info (search “Papa Bach” and “Huismuziekjes”):
https://www.concertgebouw.be/nl/programma
Concertgebouw Circuit also works well with children who enjoy exploring buildings, sound installations and rooftop views. Practical details: https://www.concertgebouw.be/nl/concertgebouw-circuit
Atelier Matinée, the Concertgebouw’s Sunday‑morning creative workshop series for families, runs on selected dates through the season, incl. Sun 18 Jan: https://www.concertgebouw.be/nl/atelier-matinee-225
Cinema outings are always a safe bet: look for family‑rated titles and specials in Lumière’s and Kinepolis’ listings.
Lumière agenda: https://lumiere-brugge.be/agenda-lumiere-brugge/
Kinepolis Brugge: https://kinepolis.be/nl/bioscopen/kinepolis-brugge
For splash time, LAGO Olympia Brugge’s indoor slides and pools offer warmth and play whatever the weather, with family‑oriented facilities and accessible pricing.
Historium Brugge on the Markt combines a historical story trail with VR and views over the square, a good half‑day option in quieter post‑holiday weeks.
https://brugge.info/en/historium-brugge/
🌤️🌧️ Weather
Mid‑January in Bruges usually brings cold days with highs near mid‑single digits, frequent cloud cover and the chance of light rain or drizzle. Plan on layers, waterproof outerwear and sturdy shoes, especially for evening walks.
For the most accurate 4–5 day forecast, including any frost or stronger winds, check the Royal Meteorological Institute: