What’s on this week: 27 October to 2 November

Get your Latino Halloween vibe on in the Marolles with Día de Muertos providing grinning skulls, colourful costumes, parades, jam sessions and Mexican hot chocolate. Keep an eye out for Mexico’s legendary late art talent Frida Kahlo who makes ‘an appearance’ in the colourful celebrations. There’s plenty of kids activities and workshops programmed to keep los niños entertained. Don’t miss the final evening, when the dead come back to parade in the streets, leading you to a free concert by Orquesta Basura (pictured, main image) in Place du Jeu de Balle. 29 October to 4 November, across the Marolles

The underground tunnels of the Coudenberg site are the perfect place for the Halloween Murder Mystery Game, where kids must get clues from ghosts to solve a 16th century murder. 30 October, entry between 16.00 & 21.00, Place Royale 10

Scary Legos! Join the Monster Party at the Lego Discovery Centre to see spooky décor, follow a themed workshop and experience the 4D Lego Halloween movie. Until 5 November, Boulevard Lambermont 1 (Schaerbeek)

Schaerbeek stages a Halloween Kids Party on Saturday. For three to 12-year-olds, strange creatures await in the municipality’s greenhouses with face painting and craft workshops, surprise activities and warming bowls of soup. 28 October 16.00-18.30 & 19.00-21.00, Boulevard Lambermont 411 (Schaerbeek)

Older kids, aged from 12 to 20, can head to the Brasserie de la Mule for Schaerbeek Horror Night on Tuesday evening. Dress up in your scariest costume and dance the night away to the sounds of a cackle of scary DJs. Surprises and costume competitions on the menu. 31 October 20.00-23.45, Rue Rubens 95 (Schaerbeek)

A Halloween parade wends through Parc Pierre Paulus and Place Morichar with various shows and entertainment lined up. A fireworks and pyrotechnic show starts at 19.00, followed by the colourful parade. Free entrance. 31 October from 17.00 (Saint-Gilles)

WIELS’ flagship exhibition on Francis Alÿs is transformed into an interactive space for kids (3+) over half term. During Play Week, seven artists and collectives present artworks that challenge all ages to play in different ways and stimulate their imagination. Free for under 18s accompanied by an adult with entrance ticket. 31 October to 5 November, Avenue Van Volxem 354 (Forest)

Night owls – or vampire bats – are heading to Plein Publik BXL for a Halloween Party. It’s the moment to come up with an original costume and join in zombie dancing. 31 October from 22.30, Mont des Arts

Vendôme cinema is screening Halloween Classic: L’Etrange couleur des larmes de ton corps by Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani (Bel/Fr/Lux 2013). A talk with the film’s production team follows, including producer Eve Commeng. 31 October 21.00, Chaussée de Wavre 18

Every Halloween, the Museum of Fantastic and the Center of Fantastic Art is transformed into a scary house. It’s a perfect opportunity to explore its unusual collection via puzzles to solve while taking a tour on a mini train or earning a witchcraft certificate. The museum also organises a Halloween Tram, departing every 30 minutes and includes a tempting aperitif and bowl of soup. Reservations necessary for all activities. Until 5 November 14.00-17.00, Rue Américaine 7 (Saint-Gilles)

Spend your weekend at the biggest Diwali party in Europe. The Hindu festival of lights is celebrated by Indians the world over, and everyone is invited to the Atomium for the open-air Brussels Diwali Festival. Rain or shine, you’ll dance to folk and Bollywood music, eat authentic regional cuisine, enjoy a fashion show, meditate at the temple and find plenty to entertain the kids. Entry is free, and there are fireworks. 28-29 October, Place de l’Atomium 1

Some students blossom in art school; Lionel Vinche was not one of them. Born in the 1930s and still working today, Vinche was not able to paint the way his teachers told him to, so he dropped out and learned his craft by haunting museums and galleries. The Blan Foundation is hosting a retrospective of the Belgian artist’s multidisciplinary work, with an animated style that is as delightful today as it was confounding 50 years ago. Until 27 January, Boulevard Général Jacques 26 (Ixelles)

Some 50 unique haute couture dresses go on parade in Natan 40 Years. Marking the Belgian fashion house’s 40th anniversary, the exhibition includes photos and film as well as accessories and art objects by Christophe Coppens, the house’s guest artistic director. Renowned for its femininity and elegance, the label, created by designer Edouard Vermeulen, has been dressing the Belgian royal family for decades. 1-26 November, Espace Vanderborght, Rue de L’Ecuyer 50

The internationally-renowned Brussels Cello Society is staging a series of recitals this autumn. Gathering some of the world’s top cellists and emerging talents to Belgium, the season offers some inspiring concerts and masterclasses under artistic director Han Bin Yoon. The next concert is on 1 November features Sébastien Walnier and Alexander Gurning. Until 18 December, Flagey Studio 1, Place Sainte-Croix & ULB Solbosch, Salle Dupréel (Ixelles)

Find out why café culture is one of the best bits of living in the capital during the month-long Bruxelles sur Scènes 2023. For the seventh edition, Some 13 of the city’s best-loved venues stage an eclectic and original programme with concerts, live comedy and performances, including Stevie Wonder & Friends at The Music Village and Studio Impro at L’Os à Moelle. Buy your Pass online and then reserve your favourite shows, priced at €20, enables you to enjoy a show in each one of the 13 participating venues. 1 to 30 November, café theatres across Brussels city centre

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

As soon as night falls, the Halloween Mystery Forest at Durbuy’s Adventure Valley comes alive. This audiovisual show will scare everyone in the park, while six different zones dotted along the circuit are a new and welcome addition. Until 4 November, Adventure Valley, Rue du Rome 1, Durbuy (Luxembourg province)

Hangar presents a Halloween Rave at Brussels Gate, just west of the capital in Groot-Bijgaarden. All-night electronic music by international DJs and an underground vibe in three rooms in this former industrial warehouse. 27-28 October 20.00-4.00, Alfons Gossetlaan 9

Pumpkimania reigns at Groot-Bijgaarden Castle, where dinosaur sculptures are made entirely from pumpkins of all sizes and shapes. The whole family can sip pumpkin soup, munch on roasted chestnuts, shop for pumpkins to take home and carve a Halloween jack-o-lantern. Until 5 November, Isidoor Van Beverenstraat 5

Evenings may be drawing in, but this Walloon château lights up with illuminations and a show that plunges audiences into the mid-18th century, travelling dramatically between Marie-Antoinette’s court and Casanova’s prison. Bioul on Fire is accompanied by fire-themed artistic displays and installations, and as this is a wine domain, you can enjoy tastings and light refreshments. 1-4 November, 18.00, 18.45, 19.30 & 20.15, Château de Bioul, Avenue de Vaxelaire 1, Bioul (Namur province)

Attendant ghouls are lurking around De Singel during this year’s Big Bang, a music festival for the whole family. Kids and their parents are introduced to music from around the world, and everyone is encouraged to come in costume. 28 October 13.00-18.00, Desguinlei 25, Antwerp

If you’re heading to the coast this weekend, make it Blankenberge, where a bunch of seasonal events are on the agenda. Check out the Halloween carnival, fireworks on the pier, a kids’ Halloween party at the Casino, and the big Halloween Parade on Sunday. 27-31 October, across Blankenberge

Saving you from traveling to dozens of museums, churches and libraries, the MAS in Antwerp presents Rare and Indispensable: Masterpieces from Flemish Collections. It brings together some 100 works of art by Belgian and international masters such as James Ensor, Francis Bacon, Peter Paul Rubens, Jacob Jordaens and Michelangelo. All of the works are protected under the Flemish Masterpiece List, which means they can never be sold outside of the region. 28 October to 25 February, MAS Museum, Hanzestedenplaats 1

Knokke-Heist is an arty seaside destination brimming with contemporary art galleries. One of the best occasions to explore this feast of visual art is at the annual Open Gallery Weekend. The event aims to make art accessible for everyone, whether amateurs, new collectors or connoisseurs. It’s an ideal opportunity to meet gallery owners, although art lovers can enjoy an artistic experience all-year-round as the town harbours more than 90 art galleries. Pictured: Painting by Xavier Visa (Galerie Zuid). 28 & 29 October, Knokke-Heist

The cutting-edge KIKK Festival showcases new creative digital technologies from Wallonia, Belgium and abroad. Aimed at building bridges between culture, science and the economy, it offers a dual programme for professionals and the public, with conferences and workshops, a demo market, workshops, city-wide art trail (KIKK in Town) and plenty of fascinating kids’ activities. The theme for the 12th edition, Bodies of Water, looks at how life and water are intertwined along with hyperconnectivity in society. Until 29 October, Place d’Armes (market), Théâtre de Namur and other venues

From stand-up to social, romantic, black and musical comedy films, the Festival International du Film de Comédie de Liège (FIFCL) promises laugh out loud fun all week. Numerous stars of francophone cinema and entertainment descend on the Walloon city for the occasion. The programme for the eighth edition of the festival includes special events, talks, concerts and themed evenings. The festival hub is a big top in Place Cathédrale Saint-Paul. 2-6 November, multiple locations around Liège

The pioneering American video artist presents 18 installations from 1992 to 2014 in Bill Viola. Sculptor of Time. In the first major exhibition of his extraordinarily expressive work to be staged in Belgium, visitors embark on immersive, contemplative and highly-personal journey at La Boverie, which has been specially adapted for the occasion.The images and the experience are well worth the detour to this beautiful arts museum.Until 28 April, Parc de la Boverie, Liège

Discover more upcoming events at The Bulletin's events page.

Photos: ©Courtesy Coudenberg; WIELS ©Nousjka Daniëls ; KIKK Festival Solaris installation ©Nicky Assmann; ©Courtesy Blan Foundation; ©Courtesy Pumpkimania; Big Bang ©Courtesy De Singel; ©Blankenberge Tourism; Bill Viola