🏰 This weekend, Cinquantenaire Park is transformed into the Middle Ages (and it's free)

Updated on May 21, 2026 by Pierre

Let's be honest for a second. There are weekends in Brussels when we've exhausted all the terraces in the Châtelain district, when we've already seen everything Bozar has to offer, and when we're desperately searching for something a little out of the ordinary. This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, we've found a great one.

Du 22 to 24 May 2026.The Cinquantenaire Park is transformed into a giant medieval village for the 31st edition of the Etterbeek Medieval MarketOver 150 exhibitors from all over Europe. Sword fighting. Archery. Axe throwing (yes, really). A concert of Czech medieval music. A balancing act on a 40-kilo wooden ball. And admission is completely free.

This is one of our favorite events on the Brussels calendar, and we'll explain why.

⚔️ What there really is to see this year

Let's get one thing straight first. This isn't a children's fair in fancy dress. It's a real historical reenactment, done by professional companies, with period equipment and people who know what they're doing.

On the agenda this year, several things are really worth the trip:

The tournament of the Belgian Federation of Medieval Fencing They hold contests at various times on Saturday and Sunday. More than just demonstrations, these are real, official bouts with referees. If you've never seen HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) up close, it's a revelation.

Archery with the Francs-Archers of Braine-le-Château They offer introductory sessions, so yes, you can try it yourself. Advice for beginners, corrections for those who think they already know. The kind of experience you don't have every Sunday.

Axe throwing with Woodcutter For those who don't know, Woodcutter is their urban headquarters in the canal district, and they rarely leave their place. Here, they're on-site, teaching everyone for free. Honestly? It's surprisingly satisfying.

Krless's concerts A Prague-based medieval music group performing in Brussels for the first time. Several sets spread over three days. Their music blends medieval spirituality, bawdy songs, and a self-assured "rock drive" (their own unique style). A curious mix, truly interesting to hear outdoors.

Zirkus Meer The German company offers two distinct acts: balancing on a 40-kilo wooden ball in a spiral, and the famous "Leonardo Wheel." We won't give away any spoilers, but it's the kind of thing that silences the entire crowd in five seconds.

Teatro Pantastico A flautist on stilts strolls among the stalls, plus juggling at the end of the evening. Perfect for children, mesmerizing for adults.

In addition to that, there are the company camps (the Companions of Rougemont who are landing for the first time, and Fortis Brachium Dei which recreates the life of the Templars of the 12th and 13th centuries, with period cooking and exhibition of seals), the artisans who demonstrate vegetable dyeing, the making of tin medals, the work of the candlemaker… In short, enough to easily fill three or four hours on site without getting bored for a second.

🍖 A little practical tip from Brussels locals who have already been through this

Three things we wish someone had told us the first few times:

1. Go on Saturday night, seriously. Friday starts late (16pm) and Sunday ends at 20pm, but it's the Saturday between 17pm and 22pm that it really comes to life. The evening light falls on the armor, the torches are lit, the official opening took place at 12:30 so everything is in place, and the atmosphere has nothing to do with the "morning market" version.

2. Bring cash. Many exhibitors are independent artisans from all over Europe, and using a Bancontact machine right in the middle of the Cinquantenaire Park is complicated. For food, mead, and handcrafted purchases, cash will save you a lot of hassle.

3. Eat on site. Medieval food has been one of the market's biggest attractions for years. Real suckling pigs on a spit, soups simmering in cauldrons, bread baked on the spot, mead served in horns. It's not "fussy themed," it's cooked right in front of you by people who do this all year round at European festivals. And it's delicious.

📍 Practical information (keep it handy)

when:

• Friday, May 22: 16 p.m. to 22 p.m.
• Saturday, May 23: 10 a.m. to 22 p.m.
• Sunday, May 24: 10am to 20pm

Where: Cinquantenaire Park (Etterbeek side). Main entrance via theTervueren Avenue.

How to get there:

• Metro Mérode (lines 1 and 5) is the easiest
• Train: Brussels-Merode station
• Buses: 22, 27, 61, 78, 80, N06

Price: Free entry. Really. No "€5 adult ticket," no "extra charge for demonstrations." You pay for what you consume on site, and that's it.

With children? Yes, absolutely. It's probably one of the best Brussels events of the year for children aged 5 to 12. Archery, stilt walkers, medieval games by the Companions of Rougemont, juggling… They'll be talking about it for a month.

🥂 The real weekend bargain

Here is our ideal program, tried and tested:

On Saturday around 16 p.m., we arrived via the Mérode metro station. We took a first stroll through the encampments and artisan stalls to soak up the atmosphere. We grabbed a bite to eat around 18 p.m. At 18:30 p.m., we stopped for the Krless concert. Around 19:30 p.m., we made a second pass by the medieval fencing demonstrations. At 20:45 p.m., the last concert. And we walked home as night fell, back to Schuman, our minds completely elsewhere.

This is the kind of event you never get in Brussels. Three days a year, that's all. And it's free. Don't miss it.

---

🔗 Full program and market map on the Etterbeek's official website.