What’s on 20-26 Mar 2025
⭐ This Week's Top Picks
Stravinsky & Persian music. Enjoy timeless mastery of the rite of Spring, plus music to celebrate Noroez, the Persian New Year.
Cycling: Brugge Classic 2025. Offering different routes for both passionate and adventurous cyclists, the tour showcases the natural beauty and tranquillity of the region.
Treasure hunt: Anouk’s Ducks. Kids will love this quest to find hidden ducklings in local shop windows around the city.
🎨 🎻 🧺 Art, Music & Markets
Stravinsky: The rite of Spring, performed by the Brussels Philharmonic. “Stravinsky's Le sacre du printemps caused a stir at its premiere in 1913. So did Edgar Varèse's Amériques, a tour de force for a gi-gan-tic orchestra, with no fewer than 14 percussionists. The brute and seismic force was unlike anything else and caused a shock wave. Yet the composer did not believe he was ahead of his time: 'I'm on time, but people are lagging behind.' Concertgebouw Maker Tom De Cock, a percussionist himself, talks about the work and then climbs onto the podium to guide the orchestral monster. Brace yourself for timeless mastery!” Tickets: €7-44. 21 Mar, 20:00. Concertgebouw, 't Zand 34. https://www.concertgebouw.be/nl/brussels-philharmonic-67
The Persian New Year celebrates Spring. “During the spring equinox, the Middle East celebrates New Year or Noroez. People set a table with seven objects that all start with an 's' in Persian: sprouts, pudding, coins, a goldfish, eggs, a mirror and candles. In the Concertgebouw we will join in the celebration with a first concert About That Magic Circle followed by a cup of tea and something sweet. We will conclude with a short intimate concert with Iranian folk music in honour of Noroez”. Tickets: €13-26. 23 Mar, 15:00. Concertgebouw, ‘t Zand 34. https://www.concertgebouw.be/nl/noroez
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 (22 Mar) will be on ‘t Zand and the market on Wednesday (25 Mar) will be on the Grote Markt/Burg.
🎬 🎭 Stage, Screen, and Scene
Dance: “Imprisoned Gods: Crossroads of Ancient African Traditions and Modern Dance Expression”. “In the dance performance 'Imprisoned Gods', Lukah Katangila delves into the age-old traditions and belief systems of Alkebulan (present-day Africa), from the time before Western colonization.He honors the Weusi peoples, known for their deep connection to nature, healing powers, and many gods, and explores the influence of Christianity on these cultures.” Tickets: €15-18. 20 Mar, 20:00. Biekorf Theaterzaal, Sint-Jakobsstraat 8. https://www.kaap.be/toont/imprisoned-gods-lukah-katangila-ultima-vez
Cinema. Cinema Lumière (Sint-Jakobsstraat 36) will be showing a variety of films over the next week. These include A Complete Unknown, Queer, The Brutalist, Maria and Memoir of a Snail. 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 Disney’s Snow White, Captain America: Brave New World, Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, and Black Bag. A standard ticket costs €14,10. Visit https://kinepolis.be/nl/nl/movies/overview/ for more information and bookings.
⚽ Game On: Sports & Recreation
Cycling: Brugge Classic 2025. “Offering different routes for both passionate and adventurous cyclists, the event promises an unforgettable day in a professional and atmospheric setting. Two guided platoon routes are available, with the option of a 100km route at an average speed of 33km/h or a 75km route at an average speed of 29km/h. Participants will benefit from extensive support, including police escorts, mobile signalmen, technical assistance, and medical aid. For those seeking adventure, there is a 60km gravel/MTB tour, with 60% of the route being on unpaved roads. The tour showcases the natural beauty and tranquillity of the region. Participants can enjoy a refreshment point halfway through the course. The event is not to be missed for cycling enthusiasts looking for a unique and challenging experience.” Price: €10-14. 22 Mar, 08:00-15:00. Campus ZoWe Barrièrestraat 2d, 8200 Sint-Andries. https://www.visitbruges.be/en/whats-on/events-calendar/brugge-classic-2025
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 scheduled matches this coming week, but games are advertised here, so watch this space for your next visit!
🍻🎶 Bruges After Dark: Nightlife
VENTILATEUR “is Bruges' best-kept musical secret. Their infectious mix of jazz, post-rock, and soul creates a unique and captivating sound, making them one of the promising acts of the Sound Track talent program, alongside artists like Meskerem Mees, Coline & Toitoine, and Rosa Butsi. With their self-titled debut EP and album 'Hoofdplaat', they caught the attention of fans of Dans Dans and Nordmann.” 26 Mar, 21:00. Tickets: €11-17. Cactus Muziekcentrum, Bargeweg 10. https://www.cactusmusic.be/EN/Concerts/Calendar/ventilateur
🌈 Family Fun: Events & Adventures
Transitional Dance. “Dance in Bruges-Maker Michiel Vandevelde develops a new dance transition ritual. How do you dance for the transition from one phase of life to another? How can a dance ritual contribute to celebrating change? Vandevelde focuses primarily on hip movements. The hips are not only associated with birth, but also with seduction, with the generation of new life. Or as Vandevelde puts it: ' Transitional dance is a celebration of the potential of life, and especially of the potential for change during life.' Want to participate yourself? Everyone is welcome, no dance experience required, you will be taught some simple movement phrases.” In collaboration with KAAP (a Bruges/Ostend cultural centre). FREE. 22 Mar, 19:00 Jan van Eyckplein. https://www.concertgebouw.be/nl/transitional-dance-1
Anouk’s Ducks Treasure Hunt. “The "Anouk's Ducks" treasure hunt is a children's quest in which participants search for 11 hidden ducklings in the shop windows of Bruges businesses. The quest is inspired by the heartwarming children's book "Anouk's Ducks", written and illustrated by local artist Anouk Van der Jeught. Participants can obtain free participation forms from the tourism point on Market Square and embark on the hunt with their families. As they find the ducklings, they can record their discoveries and later submit the completed form at the tourism point to receive a surprise pack including a colouring page, crayons, and bookmarks. The quest takes families along the shopping streets of Vlamingstraat, Adriaan Willaertstraat, Ezelstraat, Sint-Jakobsstraat, and Eiermarkt, which not only introduces them to the charm of Bruges but also showcases the revitalized Ezelstraat area after recent roadworks.” FREE. Until 29 Mar. Toerismepunt Markt, Markt 1. https://www.visitbruges.be/en/whats-on/events-calendar/childrens-quest-anouks-ducks
Expo Culinair - Handmade in Brugge. “Culinary creators from Handmade in Brugge will share insights into their craft and showcase what sets them apart. The focus is on the production process, with objects from their workshops, kitchens, or studios taking centre stage. In addition to the exhibition, you’ll also have the chance to dive deeper into their craft through studio visits, tastings, and demo workshops.” FREE. Until 29 Mar. Sashuis - Handmade in Brugge Shop, Wijngaardplein 14. https://www.handmadeinbrugge.be/agenda/expo-culinair
Expo Bodyworlds. Visit this award-winning exhibition showcasing real, plasticised human bodies. Explore the functions, development, and resilience of the human body while learning about the effects of diseases and lifestyle choices. Tickets: €15-19. Until 25 Mar. Site Oud Sint Jan, Mariastraat 38. https://bodyworlds.be
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 23 Mar, 09:30. https://www.concertgebouw.be/nl/atelier-matinee-en-workshops
🌤️🌧️ Weather
This outlook for this week is mainly cloudy sunshine. Friday (21st) will be a warm day with a daytime temperature of 20°C. Temperatures forecast into next week are between 10-14°C.
Find latest forecasts covering Bruges at: https://www.meteo.be/en/belgium