Every year in February, the city of Brussels, transforms into a mesmerizing spectacle of lights and colours. The Bright Festival, held from 15 to 18 February 2024, is an annual event that illuminates the winter nights and brings warmth to the hearts of its visitors.
The festival will brighten two of the city’s emblematic neighbourhoods: the Royal Quarter and the European Quarter. This year, the festival shines a spotlight on Europe and its values, in conjunction with the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. During four enchanting nights, you’ll find about thirty different installations created by multiple international artists. Each of them leaves its mark on the city’s numerous sights.
The Bright Festival in Brussels, also known as the Festival of Light, is a magical event that transforms the city into a vibrant display of colour and imagination. The festival was originally conceived in 2013 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Port of Brussels. The goal of the festival is to invite visitors to view the city from a new, whimsical perspective. Over the years, the festival has evolved into an annual event, offering a nighttime scavenger hunt of sorts, with visitors darting in and out of churches, art galleries, and medieval squares to catch a glimpse of the fantastical. The festival is also ecologically responsible, selecting artists with eco-friendly approaches and projects that use energy-efficient or renewable lighting.
While it would be difficult to make a distinction between all the beautiful attractions, we’ll try to pick some of the most impressive ones. During your stay in Brussels, you’ve probably already seen the main historical buildings. The Bright Festival though, will put them in a completely different perspective. Here are some of our favourites that you should definitely try to see:
This year, the organisers of the festival have made a special effort to include activities for the youngest among us. In a collaboration, visit.brussels and students from the Industrial Design studio at La Cambre have created lots of playful works. The educational zone is located at La Cambre, Place d’Espagne. The area is open from 17:30 to 22:00, and entry is free of charge.
The “Discoveries on site” event, offers a variety of interactive activities. Camille Ledure’s “Reflections and Mirrors” allows participants to manipulate mirrors to project luminous shapes, while her “Light Trail” challenges balance and navigation skills on a course lit by a ribbon of light. Jeanne Boucquey’s “Jumps, shadows & movement” invites participants to chase moving shadows. Nessim Fares’ “The Northern Lights” enables participants to create their own auroras. Naya Christov’s “Totem of Light” and “Moving Silhouettes” encourage playful interaction with light and shadows, allowing participants to create a totem pole of light and project their own silhouettes.
Don’t worry, you can also visit the educational zone if you are no longer considered “a child”.
Besides the artistic installations and the “Discoveries on Site”, an equally illuminating fringe programme of guided tours, live entertainment and “Bright Sessions” punctuate the festival.
The “Bright Sessions” is a brand new addition, where experts, artists and professionals from different fields will discuss various aspects of organising a light festival. You can join the conversation with top speakers on lighting design, sustainability, and event management.
The Bright Festival is more than just a festival of lights. It’s an immersive, artistic experience right in the heart of Europe. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, young or old, there’s something for everyone at this enchanting event. So, mark your calendars and get ready to be dazzled by the Bright Brussels Festival!
