Sunday, September 20, 2026
Car-Free Sunday 2026
On Sunday 20 September 2026, Brussels will live to the rhythm of its traditional Car-Free Sunday. From 9.30 am to 7 pm, the entire Brussels-Capital Region will be closed to car traffic, with the exception of certain authorised vehicles.
For a few hours, the streets completely change their face. Pedestrians, cyclists, scooters and rollerblades can enjoy a much quieter city and reclaim spaces usually occupied by cars. A particularly pleasant day to experience with the children, whether for a long bike ride or simply to discover your neighborhood in a different way.
Car-Free Sunday is also the highlight of Mobility Week, which is organised from 16 to 22 September 2026 to encourage more sustainable modes of transport. Many activities are traditionally offered in the different districts of Brussels during this day.
Good to know: Car-Free Sunday coincides this year with European Heritage Days, organized on September 19 and 20, 2026. The perfect opportunity to combine a walk or bike ride with the discovery of heritage sites, buildings that are usually difficult to access and guided tours throughout the city. The theme of this edition, “Our landscape, our heritage”, invites us to look at Brussels differently.
Practical information
- Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
- Car-free hours: from 9:30 am to 7 pm
- Location: the entire Brussels-Capital Region
- Price: free
- For whom: the whole family
- Travel: on foot, by bike, by scooter, on rollerblades or by public transport
- Public transport: free of charge throughout the day
- Car traffic: prohibited except for authorised vehicles or vehicles with a derogation
- Maximum speed of authorized vehicles: 30 km/h
- Note: the Ring and motorways remain accessible, but the exits into the Brussels Region are closed.
What to do with the children during Car Free Sunday?
Car-Free Sunday is one of the few days of the year when families can enjoy Brussels with much less motorized traffic. This is the perfect opportunity to plan an outing that, on an ordinary day, would be much less easy with young children.
Take a long bike ride
Get out the bikes, balance bikes or scooters: during Car-Free Sunday, the streets of Brussels offer an exceptional setting for a walk with the family.
The idea is not necessarily to travel miles. You can simply leave your home, cross several districts and enjoy a city where soft modes of transport are exceptionally taking up all the space.
However, with children, remain vigilant: some authorised vehicles, public transport and emergency services continue to circulate during the day.
Discover Brussels differently
Without the usual flow of cars, it is much easier to notice the facades, squares, parks and monuments that one passes through on a daily basis.
It’s a good day to cycle or walk to downtown, plan a picnic in a park, or just let the kids rediscover their own neighborhood.
Enjoy the activities in the neighbourhoods
Car-Free Sunday is accompanied by a programme of activities organised throughout the Brussels Region. Animations, initiatives around mobility and occupations of public space complete this special day.
As the detailed 2026 programme is subject to change, remember to check the activities offered in your neighbourhood a few days before your outing.
Enjoy free public transport
Don’t feel like doing everything by bike? Public transport is free throughout the day, making it easy to combine a walk or bike ride with a ride on the metro, tram or bus.
It is also a particularly practical solution with young children if you want to enjoy several districts without planning too long a walk.
Can we drive a car?
Between 9.30 a.m. and 7 p.m., the circulation of motor vehicles is prohibited throughout the Brussels-Capital Region, with some exceptions.
In particular, the following can circulate:
- Public transport
- Rescue services and ambulances
- Police vehicles
- vehicles with a special permit
- station taxis, without special permission
- street taxis, only if they have a permit
Authorised vehicles must respect a maximum speed of 30 km/h.
E-bikes and e-scooters are also still allowed.
Questions
Car-Free Sunday will take place on Sunday 20 September 2026, from 9.30 am to 7 pm, throughout the Brussels-Capital Region.
Yes. It is a particularly pleasant day to experience with the family to walk, cycle, scooter or rollerblade and discover Brussels with much less car traffic.
The Brussels-Capital Region is closed to car traffic from 9.30 am to 7 pm, with the exception of authorised vehicles.
Yes. Car-free Sunday is an opportunity to focus on cycling, scootering, walking or rollerblading.
Yes. Public transport is free during the whole day on car-free Sunday.
Yes. Various activities are organised in the districts of the Brussels Region. The detailed program is to be consulted before the event.
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