What to do in Brussels in October 2026: our selection so you don't miss anything

Updated on September 29, 2026 by Pierre

The terraces are emptying, scarves are making a comeback, and yet October is one of the busiest months of the year in Brussels. Between music festivals, museum nights, giant pumpkins, and the first Halloween parties, the calendar is overflowing. We've done the research for you, keeping only what's truly worth the trip. 🍁

🪔 Brussels Diwali Festival: the festival of lights illuminates the Atomium

On October 24 and 25, the Atomium Esplanade will host the 10th edition of the Brussels Diwali Festival, organized by Art India with the support of the City of Brussels, visit.brussels, and the Embassy of India. From noon to 10:30 p.m., the festival offers two days dedicated to Indian culture: music, dance, fashion, workshops, street food stalls, and, to close it all out, a grand fireworks display at the foot of the Atomium. A weekend pass costs €22 (early bird price) and is available until September 30. Admission is free for children under 12. It's a wonderful way to experience Diwali , the festival of lights, in one of Brussels' most iconic locations.

📍 Atomium – Esplanade, Brussels
📅 October 24–25, 2026
🎟️ €10 for the whole weekend (early bird price)
👶 Free for children under 12 years old
🪔 Indian culture, music, dance, food, lights and entertainment

Tickets and the program are available on diwali.artindia.be.

🎃 Pumpkimania, autumn in XXL format

We begin with the event that kicks off pumpkin season just outside the city. Until November 1st, the grounds of Grand-Bigard Castle (Groot-Bijgaarden) host thousands of pumpkins transformed into giant sculptures, this year with a forest theme: foxes, owls, and deer in gourd form. On weekends, you can carve your own pumpkin and even paddle in a giant pumpkin on the castle pond—a truly irresistible experience for children.

A helpful tip: until October 23rd, the site is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. From October 24th, it will be open daily with a Halloween trail of approximately one kilometer until 8 pm, and costumes are welcome. Admission is €16 per adult, €9 for children aged 5 to 14, and free for children under 5. It's best to take the train to Groot-Bijgaarden station: illegal parking in the surrounding streets is subject to fines. Information and tickets are available at pumpkimania.be.

🎶 FrancoFaune, ten days of music in French

From October 1st to 11th, FrancoFaune celebrates its thirteenth edition in some fifteen Brussels venues, from established names like Botanique and VK to more intimate locations. We love this festival for its ability to bring together headliners and emerging artists from Belgium, France, Switzerland, and Quebec. Highlights include the carte blanche given to rapper ONHA for the opening night, the Experimental Tropic Blues Band concert at LaVallée on October 3rd, and THÉA at Les Halles de Schaerbeek on the 9th. For the most enthusiastic fans, a pass grants access to all concerts. Full program at francofaune.be.

🏛️ Heritage and Arts: The first two weekends

The first weekend of the month is perfect for art lovers. From October 2nd to 4th, the Art on Paper fair celebrates its tenth edition in the Tour & Taxis Sheds, featuring Belgian and international galleries dedicated to drawing and works on paper, from the historical to the contemporary. A great opportunity to discover artists at prices sometimes more affordable than you might expect. All the information is available at artonpaper.be.

Meanwhile, the ANTE Festival returns for its second edition on the weekends of October 3-4 and 10-11. Organized by Explore.Brussels, it celebrates the architecture of the "long 19th century" (1780-1920), from Neoclassicism to Eclecticism, often overshadowed by Art Nouveau. The program includes guided tours of buildings rarely open to the public. Reservations are required, and places fill up quickly: book at ante.brussels.

🛍️ Sunday, October 4: Free vintage and museums

The first Sunday of the month is a regular occurrence. The Brussels Vintage Market takes over the Halles Saint-Géry from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m., offering secondhand clothing, vinyl records, jewelry, and small furniture. And since it's also the day for free museum admission in the City of Brussels, we happily follow it up with visits to the City of Brussels Museum on the Grand-Place, the Fashion & Lace Museum, or the Sewer Museum. A perfect Sunday without having to open your wallet (or almost). The list of free museums is available on the City of Brussels' calendar.

🎧 Adriatic Sea under the glass roof of the Maritime Station

On Saturday, October 3rd, the Hangar collective invites the Swiss duo Adriatique to the Gare Maritime for an extended set from 15 PM to 1 AM. For fans of melodic techno, seeing this duo under the monumental roof structure of Tour & Taxis is a truly unique experience. Last entry at 21 PM. Tickets at thehangar.be.

🍺 Oktoberfest at the Cinquantenaire

From October 14th to 24th, Cinquantenaire Park transforms into a Munich-style Oktoberfest. Liter steins, Bavarian brass bands, pretzels, and pork knuckles: Oktoberfest Brussels focuses on conviviality with a distinctly European flair. Ideal for after-work drinks with colleagues or an evening with friends, provided you reserve your table in advance. More information is available on the City of Brussels website.

🌙 Museum Night Fever, the night when museums party

This is one of our favorite events of the year. On Saturday, October 17, around thirty Brussels museums will stay open from 19 pm to 1 am with a program designed by and for 16-35 year olds: performances, DJ sets, installations, and dance. A single ticket grants access to all participating museums and remains valid for a daytime visit to one of them the following month. We recommend choosing two or three museums close to each other rather than trying to visit them all. The program is available at brusselsmuseums.be.

🎾 Top-level tennis at Heysel

From October 17 to 25, the BNP Paribas Fortis European Open returns to Brussels Expo for its eleventh edition, the second in the capital. This ATP 250 tournament welcomes Casper Ruud for his first appearance in Brussels, alongside Belgians Zizou Bergs and Raphaël Collignon. Qualifying rounds kick things off, with the main draw starting on the 19th. Information and tickets are available on the City of Brussels website.

🎌 Pop culture weekend at Heysel, then Comic Con

On the same weekend of October 17th and 18th, Brussels Expo also hosts Made in Asia, the major convention dedicated to manga, anime, video games, and Asian culture, in partnership with Heroes Comic Con. Cosplay, autograph sessions, Asian street food stalls: plan to spend the whole day there. More information at madeinasia.be and heroescomiccon.be.

Fans of TV series and superheroes have a second event a week later. On October 24th and 25th, Comic Con Brussels takes over Tour & Taxis, featuring guests, artists, a geek market, and a cosplay competition. Open from 10 am to 19 pm on Saturday and from 10 am to 17 pm on Sunday. Tickets available at comicconbrussels.com.

💀 End of the month: Día de Muertos, Halloween and Weekender Nights

At the end of October, the Marolles district pays tribute to the deceased with Día de Muertos, inspired by Mexican tradition and which has become a true neighborhood tradition since 2018. Around the Bruegel Cultural Center, there are concerts, workshops, a large communal altar, and a closing procession. On Thursday, October 29, Muziekpublique offers an additional poetic and musical stroll at dusk in the Saint-Gilles cemetery.

From October 30th to November 1st, Botanique returns with Les Nuits Weekender, the autumnal and condensed version of Les Nuits Botanique: three days, several stages, and a program true to the venue's pioneering spirit. More info at lesnuits.be.

And for Halloween night, Saturday, October 31st, Hangar is organizing its Hangar Festival Halloween Edition at Brussels Gate, from 20 pm to 4 am (tickets at thehangar.be ). Costumes are highly recommended, of course. 👻

📌 Good to know before going out

October coincides with the start of the autumn holidays in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, and several events sell out well in advance, particularly the Hangar parties, the ANTE Festival, and Museum Night Fever. We advise you to book your tickets now for the events that interest you most.