May is without a doubt one of the loveliest months to discover Brussels. The city fully awakens in spring, the terraces fill up, and the calendar is packed with events. From free jazz festivals and colourful street parades to a unique birthday celebration, there is something for everyone. Are you drawn to the festival beats? Looking for a fun family day out? Or simply looking to enjoy the city at its very best? Brussels in May has something on offer for each of you. Here is an overview!
Hangar Festival – 1 and 2 May
Hangar is Brussels’ electronic music platform, known for its open-air editions held at iconic locations in the city. For lovers of dance and electronic music, this is the perfect party weekend to kick off the month of May. At this edition on the Quai de Heembeek, you’ll discover names like 2M, Amalie, Patrick Mason and many more. Please note that you need a ticket to attend this festival.
Practical info:
Location: Port of Brussels, Quai de Heembeek, 1120 Brussels (Neder-over-Heembeek)
Dates: Friday 1 and Saturday 2 May 2026
How to get there: tram 7 or 10, tram stop ‘Van Praet’ or ‘Heembeek’, and a ±10-15 min. walk
More info: https://hangarfestival.be/
Iris Festival – 9 and 10 May
Every year in early May, the Brussels-Capital Region celebrates the Iris Festival with concerts and plenty of free activities for the whole family. On the programme: street theatre, a Kids Village and an Electro Night in the Royal Quarter. Not to be missed!
Practical info:
Location: several locations in Brussels
Dates: Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 May 2026
How to get there: bus, metro or tram will get you almost everywhere. Still need an alternative? Make sure to check Floya!
More info: https://www.brussels.be/iris-festival
Fair at Avenue de Tervuren – 10 May
From 10 am to 6 pm, cars make way for pedestrians, cyclists etc. between Cinquantenaire Park and Avenue des Prisonniers Politiques. Along the avenue, you’ll find several themed villages featuring markets and artists, sports and youth activities, and an international village. Every year, the municipalities of Etterbeek and Woluwe-Saint-Pierre join forces to celebrate the anniversary of this architectural gem, created for the 1897 World Fair.
Practical info:
Location: Avenue de Tervuren, from metro stop Merode to tram stop Chien Vert, Etterbeek / Woluwe-Saint-Pierre
Date: one Sunday in May 2026 (exact date to be confirmed)
How to get there: metro 1 & 5, stop ‘Merode’; or tram 44, stop ‘Montgomery’ or ‘Chien Vert’
More info: visit.brussels
Jam’in Jette – 15 and 16 May 2026
The 100% free festival, Jam’in Jette, is back on May 15 & 16 at Parc de la Jeunesse in Jette! 2 stages, 15 concerts, showcases, DJs, but also circus performances, street art, artisanal crafts, a solidarity village, a kids’ zone, and many other activities planned for these two days of festivities! The festival spreads music, love and good vibes, and it’s completely free!
Practical info:
Location: Parc de la Jeunesse, Avenue du Sacré Coeur, 1090 Jette
Dates: Friday 15 and Saturday 16 May 2026
How to get there: tram 19, 51 or 93, stop ‘Guillaume De Greef’; or take the train to train stop Jette (3 min. walk)
More info: on the visitbrussels website
Brussels Pride – 16 May
On Saturday 16 May 2026, Brussels Pride celebrates its 30th anniversary. The theme of this jubilee edition is When Times Get Darker, We Shine Brighter — a powerful and unifying message for the LGBTQIA+ community. In October 2024, the Brussels-Capital Region added Brussels Pride to its list of intangible cultural heritage, alongside the Ommegang, fries and comic strips. All the more reason to all head there and celebrate our diversity and love together!
Practical info:
Location: Mont des Arts, 1000 Brussels (where the Pride March starts at 2 pm)
Date: Saturday 16 May 2026
How to get there: Metro lines 1 and 5 , stop ‘Brussels Central’
More info: https://www.brusselspride.eu/en/home
100 year of buses in Brussels – 16 and 17 May
On 16 and 17 May 2026, the Tram Museum will celebrate a special milestone: 100 years of the ‘Autobus Bruxellois’. More than 30 vehicles will take part in this festive weekend, an impressive collection of historic and contemporary buses. The museum will be exceptionally open free of charge from 11 am to 7 pm, and a free open-air exhibition will take place on the esplanade of Cinquantenaire Park. Free shuttle buses will take you from one site to the other.
Practical info:
Location: Tram museum (Depot Woluwe, Avenue de Tervuren 364B, 1150 Brussels) & Esplanade Cinquantenaire Park, 1000 Brussels
Dates: Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May 2026, 11am–7 pm (free)
How to get there: tram 44 stop ‘Trammuseum’, or metro 1 & 5 stop ‘Merode’
More info: trammuseum.brussels
Lotto Brussels Jazz Weekend – 22, 23 and 24 May
From 22 to 24 May, the Lotto Brussels Jazz Weekend transforms three iconic Brussels squares into a vibrant jazz paradise. The Grand-Place, Sainte-Catherine Square and Place de la Bourse become open-air concert venues — all completely free of charge. The line-up features names such as Orson Claeys, Marco Mezquida Trio, Flat Earth Society, Manou Gallo and Glass Museum.
Practical info:
Location: Grand-Place, Sainte-Catherine Square and Place de la Bourse, 1000 Brussels
Dates: Friday 22, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May 2026
How to get there: metro 1, 2, 5 & 6, stops ‘De Brouckère’ or ‘Bourse’; trams 3, 4 or 10
More info: https://lottobrusselsjazzweekend.be/
Zinneke Parade – 30 May
The 14th edition of the Zinneke Parade will have ‘Dream’ as a central theme. This free biennial parade brings themed floats, costumes and live music through the streets of Brussels. It is a participatory creation, a moving total spectacle and an experiment in living together in diversity in the city. 100% human! The event usually attracts between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators — will you help make that number grow even more?
Practical info:
Location: Brussels city centre (route through various central boulevards and squares), 1000 Brussels
Date: Saturday 30 May 2026, 3 pm (free)
How to get there: metro, tram or bus direction city centre; stop ‘De Brouckère’, ‘Central Station” or ‘Bourse’
More info: zinneke.org
May truly is a great month in Brussels: many of the major events are free, the weather is starting to improve, and the city is buzzing with energy. So be sure to head out and enjoy, we’ll be happy to take you there!