A season to enjoy with the family in Brussels
Key dates to remember
- May 17, 2026 : Family Day at the Coudenberg Palace, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- During the season : Coudenberg City Game, visits, exhibitions, entertainment at the Children’s Museum and heritage events in several Brussels venues.
- 1 and 3 July 2026 : Ommegang on the Grand-Place, with historical procession and evening show.
- From 1 to 4 July 2026 : Renaissance market and Renaissance village in Sablon.
From 17 May to 4 July 2026, the Brussels Renaissance Festival transforms Brussels into a playground for lovers of history, heritage and changing cultural outings . This season celebrates the Renaissance in Brussels, at a time when Charles V made the city one of his great centres of power in Europe.
The 2026 programme combines activities, visits, exhibitions, city games and major popular events, with several proposals that work very well with the family.
The first highlight to note is the Family Day, organized on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at the Coudenberg Palace. The day invites children to enter the world of the Renaissance through very concrete activities: dressing up as a knight or a lady of the court, participating in thematic workshops, learning to shoot with a crossbow or handling a sword. The activities take place continuously from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and are included in the entrance ticket. Access is free up to 18 years old for children accompanied by their parents.
Another idea that is very easy to integrate into a city outing: dressing the Manneken Pis in the costume of Charles V during the festival. It’s the kind of small event that children like, because it’s short, visual and very Brussels in spirit.
The festival also offers activities that allow you to discover Brussels in a different way. The Coudenberg City Game is played on a smartphone in the royal district and immerses participants in seventeenth-century Brussels, with challenges of observation, logic and exploration. As for the Children’s Museum, an animation around the Renaissance is also included in the 2026 program.
Finally, the grand finale of the season remains the Ommegang, on July 1 and 3, 2026 on the Grand-Place. This great historical show recreates the entry of Charles V into Brussels with more than 1,400 costumed participants. The procession starts at 8:50 p.m. and the show at 9 p.m. Around these evenings, the Sablon also hosts a Renaissance market and a Renaissance village from July 1 to 4, 2026, which allows you to extend the outing in a festive and immersive atmosphere.
Frequently Asked Questions
The festival takes place from 17 May to 4 July 2026 in several locations in Brussels.
The family highlight is the Family Day, organised on Sunday 17 May 2026 at the Coudenberg Palace, from 10 am to 6 pm.
Children can dress up as a knight or lady of the Court, shoot a crossbow and wield a sword in the remains of Charles V’s palace.
Yes. Admission is free up to 18 years old for children accompanied by their parents. The activities are organized continuously and included in the entrance fee.
The Brussels Renaissance Festival takes place in several Brussels venues, including the Coudenberg Palace, the Grand-Place and other heritage sites associated with the programme.
Yes, for some highlights such as the Ommegang, a ticket office is provided. For Family Day, the Coudenberg page also links to a ticket page.
Not yet completely. The official page states that more information about the program will be available soon.
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