September means: back to school and to the office. But it certainly doesn’t mean the end of fun things to do in Brussels. Film, music, urban sports, a medieval festival… the calendar is still packed, with the 50th anniversary of our Metro as the cherry on the cake. Plenty of reasons to make summer last a little longer and explore the city with us.
50 years of metro: the party goes underground
Half a century, that calls for a celebration! This September, our Metro turns 50, and we’d love you to join in the festivities. From 8 to 24 September, keep your eyes peeled and try to get your hands on the collectible cards specially designed for the occasion. And from 14 to 20 September, all kinds of surprises will bring an extra buzz to the stations.
On the programme: mini speculoos biscuits, a Wheel of Fortune, characters from La Monnaie opera house bringing the magic of music to the Metro, street art, live painting, a concert by the AkoeSTIB choir, and even live performances by a pianist who will travel and play on a subway train. At selected stations, you can also join guided tours exploring the artworks in the Metro. To round off this week of celebrations, come along to the Jacques Brel depot on 20 September for an open day and a behind-the-scenes look at STIB-MIVB.
Practical info:
Location: several STIB-MIVB metro stations
Dates: collectible cards from 8 to 24 September 2026 and various activities from 14 to 20 September 2026
Getting there: by metro, of course! Various stations across the network are taking part. Rogier and De Brouckère stations will take you straight to the heart of Brussels.
More info:
– About the program of activities
– About the collectible cards celebrating the metro’s 50th anniversary
– About the history of the metro
La Monnaie throws its doors wide open
Curious to find out what goes on behind the theatre curtains? On 5 September, La Monnaie kicks off its new season with a free open day. On the programme: a tour of the theatre and workshops, concerts, a musical picnic and even open-air opera on Place de la Monnaie. And you certainly don’t need to know the classics inside out to enjoy it.
Practical info:
Location: La Monnaie, place de la Monnaie, 1000 Brussels
Date: 5 September 2026
Getting there: Discover all the routes that take you to De Brouckère
More info: https://www.lamonnaiedemunt.be
Brussels on the big screen with BRIFF
Film lovers, take note: the Brussels International Film Festival is back. Nine days packed with films, premieres, encounters and red carpets. From Belgian cinema to international discoveries, cinemas in the city centre will be the obvious choice for anyone with a passion for the seventh art.
Practical info:
Location: UGC De Brouckère, Cinema Galeries and Cinema Palace
Dates: from 4 to 12 September 2026
Getting there: Discover all the routes that take you to De Brouckère and Gare Centrale
More info: https://www.visit.brussels
Hangar and Solomun get Place Poelaert dancing
An open-air dance floor with the Palace of Justice as a backdrop: it doesn’t get much more Brussels than this. Hangar collective welcomes Solomun to Place Poelaert for an afternoon and evening of electronic music. The perfect way to make the most of the last days of summer, with an almost unbeatable view.
Practical info:
Location: place Poelaert, 1000 Brussels
Date: 19 September 2026
Getting there: Discover all the routes that take you to Poelaert or Louise
More info: https://www.brussels.be
Brussels Urban Sessions takes hold of Cinquantenaire Park
BMX Freestyle, skateboarding, parkour, 3×3 basketball, music and, above all, loads of energy: Brussels Urban Sessions transforms Cinquantenaire Park into one giant playground. For three days, top riders and urban culture fans come together for competitions, demos and live performances.
Practical info:
Location: Cinquantenaire Park, 1000 Brussels
Dates: from 11 to 13 September 2026
Getting there: Discover all the routes that take you to Merode or Schuman
More info: https://www.visit.brussels
Mobility Week: a different way to get around
From 16 to 22 September, Brussels puts sustainable transport in the spotlight. It’s a chance to try out different ways of getting around, to rediscover the city on foot, by bike or by public transport, and to shake up your usual travel habits. Activities for all ages, community initiatives and cycling challenges keep the city moving throughout the week.
The highlight? Car-Free Sunday on 20 September, which this year falls exactly 50 years after the Brussels Metro first opened. To mark the occasion, STIB-MIVB is also opening the doors of the Jacques Brel depot from 10 am to 4 pm. It’s a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes of the metro and bus network, swap your collectible cards or simply meet the people who keep the network running every single day.
Practical info:
Location: different locations throughout the Brussels Capital Region. The STIB-MIVB open door takes place at the Jacques Brel depot.
Dates: from 16 to 22 September 2026, with Car-Free Sunday on 20 September
Getting there: the entire STIB-MIVB net will get you to the various activities; De Brouckère station is a particularly good starting point for exploring the city centre.
More info: https://mobilityweek.brussels/
5 squares, 5 open-air parties, one single day
On 12 September, Brussels gets shaking. The Brussels Open Air Festival transforms five locations across the capital into open-air dance floors, with ten Brussels collectives and a line-up featuring hip-hop, techno, dub, R&B, Afrobeats and much more. From 2 pm to 10 pm, you can pick the vibe that suits you best… or simply try out several throughout the day.
Practical info:
Locations: Dalle du Congrès, Place d’Espagne, Place Poelaert, Place Jean Rey and the Vauxhall
Date: 12 September 2026
Getting there: several STIB-MIVB stops are near the different sites : Louise for Place Poelaert, Central Station for Place d’Espagne and Park for the Vauxhall.
More info: https://www.visit.brussels
Forest takes you back in time
Chevaliers, artisans, campements, combats et ambiance d’un autre temps : les Fêtes Médiévales de Forest font leur retour après une année de pause. Pour leur 27e édition, les jardins de l’Abbaye accueillent petits et grands le temps d’un week-end qui sent bon le voyage dans le temps. Le tout sans avoir besoin de venir à cheval : nous vous déposons tout près.
Practical info:
Location: the Abbey gardens at Forest, place Saint-Denis, 1190 Forest
Dates: from 18 to 20 September 2026
Getting there: Discover all the routes that take you to Forest Centre/Saint-Denis, a few minutes’ walk from the Abbey
More info: https://forest.brussels
Hard choice, easy access
Film, concert, BMX or a trip back to the Middle Ages: in September, choosing what to do might be the hardest part. After that, we’ll handle the fun part: getting you there by metro, tram or bus.
No ticket or MOBIB card? Simply use contactless payment, with your bank card, smartphone or smartwatch. One beep is all it takes to hop on board and head off on your next Brussels outing.
The new school and working seasons also mean getting back to your regular journeys. The STIB-MIVB 1-month pass is a convenient way to enjoy unlimited travel without having to commit to a whole year.