Bruges... So many things to do!

Events calendar

As a cosmopolitan city, Bruges has a lot to offer, to see and to enjoy. Below you will find an events overview.

2008  

• December 
  > Stradanus, artist at the Medici Court (01/12 - 04/01/2009), Groeninge Museum  
     Johannes Stradanus (Jan van der Straet) was a drawer, painter and designer of fine prints and tapestries. He received his initial artistic 
     training in his native city of Bruges, following which he completed his studies with Pieter Aertsen in Antwerp. Most of his working life 
     was spent in Italy, where he was strongly influenced by the Mannerists, such as Michelangelo. He was able to build a glittering career 
     for himself in the studio of Giorgio Vasari, first as a designer of tapestries and later as a (fresco) painter. Thanks to the hundreds of 
     prints manufactured to his designs, his name and work eventually became world famous. This first Stradanus retrospective will 
     illustrate the wide range and creativity of his artistic output, including paintings, drawings, prints, tapestries and other art objects. In 
     collaboration with the Concertgebouw (Concert Hall) in Bruges a programme of Florentine music from the second half of the 16th 
     century will be complied, with particular attention to music for the ceremonial processions with which Stradanus was closely 
     associated. 
  
  > Exhibition the Face of Lace (01/12 - 01/03/2009), several museums and outdoor locations
      A celebration of contemporary art, fashion and design in the entire city, both indoors  and outdoors. This ambitious project will allow 
      Bruges, home of traditional lace, to show its other side – a side laced with exciting new insights and fascinating new interpretations of 
      lace. 
  
   > Christmas Market on the Market and Simon Stevin Square (01/12 - 04/01/2009) 
      From the end of November the historic city centre of Bruges will be transformed into a giant Christmas market. In addition to 
      a wonderful atmosphere and plenty of seasonal jollity, you will also be able to find that unusual last-minute present for someone 
      special.  
  
  > Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival (01/12 - 25/01/2009), Stationsplein 
      300.000 kilograms of crystal-clear ice, 400 tons of the purest snow, a constant tempurature of -5°C and 40 professional international 
      ice artists: the result is a spectacular ice village, guaranteed to warm even the coldest heart... 

2009

• January
  > Exhibition the Face of Lace (01/01 - 01/03/2009), several museums and outdoor locations
     A celebration of contemporary art, fashion and design in the entire city, both indoors and outdoors. This ambitious project will allow
     Bruges, home of traditional lace, to show its other side – a side laced with exciting new insights and fascinating new interpretations of 
     lace. 
  
  > Winter sales (03 - 31/01)
     In January, the shopping streets are a true shopper's paradise! For a full month, a whole selection of winter clothing and other articles 
     will be offered at rock-bottom prices. It's just one bargain after another! 
  
  > Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival (01 - 25/01), Stationsplein 
     300.000 kilograms of crystal-clear ice, 400 tons of the purest snow, a constant tempurature of -5°C and 40 professional international 
     ice artists: the result is a spectacular ice village, guaranteed to warm even the coldest heart...

• February
  > Exhibition the Face of Lace (01/01 - 01/03/2009), several museums and outdoor locations
     A celebration of contemporary art, fashion and design in the entire city, both indoors and outdoors. This ambitious project will allow 
     Bruges, home of traditional lace, to show its other side – a side laced with exciting new insights and fascinating new interpretations of 
     lace. 

• March
  > Exhibition Charles the Bold (27/03 - 21/07) 
     Charles the Bold (1433–1477), duke of Burgundy and his era come to life in this prestigious exhibition with exceptional loans from the 
     most important collections in the world. No better place to host this exhibition than the Groeninge Museum in Bruges, home of the 
     Flemish Primitives, with the tombs of Charles the Bold and his daughter Mary of Burgundy in the Welcome Church of our Lady around 
     the corner. 

• May (21/05)
  > The Procession of the Holy Blood takes place in Bruges on Ascension Day every year (in 2008 on 1 May). It is an ancient tradition 
     mentioned in a charter as early as 1291. Although there have been many changes over the centuries, the heart of the event is the re-
     enactment of the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  

• Date yet to be announced
  > Festival of "Sounds"
  > Festival "Dining in Flanders"