What’s on 17-23 Apr 2025
⭐ This Week's Top Picks
Henk Linskens – Creatieve Hersenspinsels. A whimsical exhibition of quirky ceramics and playful illustrations by a well-known children's book artist — perfect for sparking imagination in kids and adults alike. Free, fun, and full of personality.
Polychrome – Group Art Exhibition. A burst of colour from Bruges’ local painters, this free exhibit is a visual treat and a great way to enjoy bold, expressive art in a relaxed setting.
Jazz Double Bill – Decock & Buleshkaj + Pierre Vaiana. An atmospheric evening of melodic, Americana-influenced jazz and lyrical saxophone — a soulful, family-friendly concert in a charming brewery venue.
🎨 🎻 🧺 Art, Music & Markets
Jazz - Double Bill. Decock & Buleshkaj + Pierre Vaiana “Decock and Buleshkaj are two young jazz guitarists who, despite their age, have already made a significant mark on the Belgian jazz scene, and beyond. A shared love for all things Americana brought Belgian guitarists Thomas Decock and Artan Buleshkaj together during the recording of their duo album Plain Songs.”
“Pierre Vaiana "Camera Obscura”. Camera Obscura is their new album and it explores the musical metaphor of the inverted image of the world around us. The music delves into various essential paths for the composer: the road, the shadow, and the light. The trio format is ideal for dialogue and interaction between the musicians and the audience. Vaiana's saxophone playing is highlighted by both the orchestration and the melodies, which he conceived in the most lyrical way possible. The counterpoint between the saxophone and cello, which sometimes evokes chamber music, is complemented by the guitar, which often draws its sound from folk and experimental rock music. The trio adopts a jazz approach, where improvisation takes center stage. The compositions unfold like the soundtrack of a ‘road movie,’ one that would be of an inner and meditative journey.” Tickets: €15-20. 18 Apr, 20:00. Izzy JazzClub Brugge, Estaminet 't Hamerken in brouwerij De Halve Maan Walplein 26 https://www.visitbruges.be/en/whats-on/events-calendar/thomas-decock-artan-buleshkaj-pierre-vaiana-camera-obscura-izzy-jazzclub-brugge
Exhibition: Henk Linskens - “Creatieve hersenspinsels” (“Creative brain farts”). A playful and surprising exhibition with forty original illustrations and a special selection of ceramic sculptures. Henk Linskens, known for children's books such as 'Henk and the Dancing Letters' and 'Mr. Keyhole', shows a different side of his work here. His ceramic sculptures – not traditional pots and pans, but expressive masks, charming rabbit figures, and abstract forms – breathe the same humor and imagination that also characterize his illustrations. His illustrations, made with acrylic paint and the old Bic pen, show an idiosyncratic style in which he plays with duotone and texture.” FREE. Until 20 Apr (13:00-18:00). info@henklinskens.be https://www.henklinskens.be/ Joseph Ryelandtzaal, Ezelstraat.
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 (19 Apr) will be on ‘t Zand and the market on Wednesday (23 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 Last Showgirl, The Outrun, Soft Leaves, and Hard Truths. 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, Locked 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). There are no planned matches this week, but watch this space for fixtures when planning your next visit!
🍻🎶 Bruges After Dark: Nightlife
Austrian Harakiri For The Sky + ELR. Austrian Harakiri For The Sky “is a major force in the post black metal movement with a loyal worldwide fanbase. With their emotionally charged combination of atmospheric black metal and melodic post-rock, grunge and modern hardcore, Harakiri For The Sky holds a unique place in the metal landscape. The group around songwriters MS (guitar, bass) and JJ (lyrics, vocals) was formed in 2011. Their music arises from a maelstrom of melancholy, self-loathing and anger – intense emotions that Harakiri For The Sky transforms into scorching soundscapes of blast beats and post-rock guitars. On their seventh album 'Scorched Earth' (AOP records – Jan 2025) the group evolves musically without losing sight of their own sound. Emotion and intensity remain the basis and Harakiri For The Sky continues on their poetic path along walls of heavy guitars.”
“Swiss trio ELR named their down-tempo, meandering and epic version of doom metal 'doom gaze' . Their play with repetition, minimalism and psychedelic aspects gives their music the character of shamanistic rituals. On stage, ELR also goes for expanding minds and leads their audience through a collective trance. ELR released their debut album 'Mænad' in 2019 and toured Europe supporting our metal pride Amenra. In March their second album 'Vexier' was released.” Tickets: €23-30. 18 Apr, 19:30-23:30. Cactus Muziekcentrum, Bargeweg 10.
https://www.cactusmusic.be/NL/Concerten/Kalender/harakiri-for-the-sky
🌈 Family Fun: Events & Adventures
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
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 18, 19, 20 Apr. Tickets: €6-12, FREE for children under 6. Concertgebouw ('t Zand 34.) https://ticketshop.ticketmatic.com/concertgebouw/shop
🌤️🌧️ Weather
The weather forecast is cloudy sunshine on most days, with daytime temperatures ranging from 13°C-17°C.
Find latest forecasts covering Bruges at: https://www.meteo.be/en/belgium