What’s on 8-14 Jan 2026
⭐ This Week's Top Picks
Brussels Philharmonic & Théo Ould – New Year's Concert at Concertgebouw on Sun 11 Jan, 15:00. The orchestra opens 2026 with festive waltzes and classics under guest conductor Théo Ould.
Bach Academie Brugge 2026 launches this week with intimate chamber concerts, open rehearsals, and masterclasses (13–18 Jan).
Atelier Matinée family workshop at Concertgebouw (11 Jan) – craft, play and discovery activities for children.
🎨 🎻 🧺 Art, Music & Markets
Ongoing exhibitions. The Concertgebouw and city venues host several continuing shows. Notably, XXL Polaroid by photographer Kris Dewitte (originally scheduled 7 Jan–29 Apr) is now listed as cancelled, so check the Concertgebouw programme for current visual-arts listings. https://www.concertgebouw.be/en/programme
Weekly markets. Saturday market at 't Zand (food, clothes, household goods) and Wednesday market on Markt (fresh produce, flowers) continue their regular rhythm.
🎬 🎭 Stage, Screen, and Scene
Brussels Philharmonic & Théo Ould – New Year's Concert
Sun 11 Jan, 15:00, Concertgebouw. Festive waltz classics to start the year. https://www.concertgebouw.be/en/programme
Bach Academie Brugge 2026 (13–18 Jan)
The festival officially launches this week with multiple concerts and sessions. Key events:: https://www.concertgebouw.be/en/programme
Sat 17 Jan: Two "Huismuziekjes" (intimate living-room) concerts and the evening gala Vox Luminis & Freiburger BarockConsort – "Just Married".
Sun 18 Jan: Collegium Vocale Gent performs Vergnügen und Lust (Bach wedding cantatas).
Cinema – Lumière & Kinepolis
Lumière Brugge (Sint‑Jakobsstraat 36): independent & arthouse films. https://www.lumiere-brugge.be/agenda-lumiere-brugge
Kinepolis Brugge (Koning Albertlaan): mainstream blockbusters. https://www.kinepolis.be/nl/bioscopen/kinepolis-brugge
⚽ Game On: Sports & Recreation
Football. Check out the home fixtures lists for Brugge’s two top flight clubs for your next visit. Home games are played at the Jan Breydel stadium.
https://cerclebrugge.be/teams/a-team/calendar
https://www.clubbrugge.be/en/competition/a-kern/all-matches
Planning to watch a game? You are highly advised to register well in advance for a fan account on the club(s) websites to improve your chances of getting a ticket. https://cerclebrugge.be/en/ticketing https://tickets.clubbrugge.be/
🍻🎶 Bruges After Dark: Nightlife
Cactus Muziekcentrum. The venue returns to its full January calendar with live music across Cactus Club and Cactus Café. Check the updated listings for this specific week. https://www.cactusmusic.be/EN/Concerts/Calendar
Xink — Sun 18 Jan (Cactus Café). Album release show (“Dag Nul”) and a great nostalgia hit for anyone who grew up with Belgian pop/rock.
Lydia Lunch & Marc Hurtado play SUICIDE and the songs of Alan Vega — Mon 19 Jan (Cactus Café). A darker, cult-leaning evening for fans of post‑punk/electro minimalism and spoken‑word intensity.
🌈 Family Fun: Events & Adventures
Atelier Matinée. Sun 11 Jan, 09:30 at Concertgebouw – a hands-on workshop where children can craft, play and discover, tied to the venue's current programming. https://www.concertgebouw.be/en/programme
Historium Brugge. Open daily with its story trail, VR add-ons and tower climb. https://www.historium.be/en/winter
LAGO Brugge Olympia. The city's main leisure pool with slides, kids' zones and warm water on cold days. https://www.lagoolympia.be
🌤️🌧️ Weather
Early January in Bruges: temperatures around 3–7°C, frequent cloud cover, occasional drizzle or light rain. Pack warm, waterproof layers and good shoes. The upside is atmospheric, quieter streets and photogenic misty mornings. For full weather forecasts https://www.meteo.be