BELGIUM: Vestalia Festival 2026, Saturday 6th to Sunday 14th June 2026

The third edition of Vestalia is due to commence on Saturday 6th June for a week!

Around 40 exceptional stately homes around Belgium will open their doors to the public during the festival.

The theme this year is 'Meeting' to honour the individuals at the heart of these beautiful historic homes.

As well as visits and tours of the homes and gardens, there will be concerts and performances in prestigious settings and some gourmet tasting to be sampled as well.

Find out more here.

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: Tutankhamun; the Immersive Experience, Brussels Expo, on now until October 2026

The Tutankhamun Immersive exhibition explores the Valley of the Kings in Luxor where many Egyptian Pharoahs are buried, including Tutankhamun who lived from 1342 BC to 1323 BC.

Your visit includes display galleries with narrative panels, reconstitutes funerary objects and virtual reality experiences of the Valley of the Kings, the camp and Tutankhamun's tomb.

WHEN: from Saturday 23rd May to Sunday 11th October 2026 
WHERE: Terminal 1 Brussels Expo, Place de Belgique 1, Laeken

MORE INFORMATION: HERE

'Treasures of Tutankhamun' exhibition is also on at the Digital and Interactive Venue (DIVE) in Antwerp.

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

SHAPE: Library After Hours for families, teens and adults Last Friday of the Month 18:00-19:30

Here is the updated schedule for the Library After Hours Sessions.

WHO: Open to Teens, Adults & Families, to attend unaccompanied, children must be aged 13+
WHEN: Last Friday of the Month May through August, 18:00-19:30
WHERE: SHAPE International Library

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: SHAPE International Library Summer Reading Challenge, Monday 29th June to Monday 31st August 2026

Plant a seed and Read this Summer. The Summer Reading Challenge is here! 

WHAT: Summer Reading Challenge, includes graphic novels and audiobooks!

WHEN: Monday 29th June through to Monday 31st August 2026

WHO: All ages, Babies through to Adults

WHERE: SHAPE International Library and Chievres Library

HOW MUCH: Free

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

SHAPE: Summer Library Activities

Libraries inspire wonder and stories inspire imagination. Check out the Summer Library activities...

No registration required for any of these activities, just turn up and join in!

WHEN: Activity dependent
WHERE: SHAPE International Library

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

SHAPE: Sit and Stitch, Mondays September to June, 10:00-11:30

Are you a knitter, sew-er or a crocheter? 

Come along to this crafty session for some chat, crafting and companions! Please note this is not a class.

WHEN: Mondays September to June, 10:00-11:30
WHERE: SHAPE International Library


Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

SHAPE: Adult Tabletop Gamer Evening, Thursday 4th June 18:00 onwards

Are you an adult gamer seeking like-minded people?

Don't miss this table tip gamers evening at the Library!

WHEN: Thursday 4th June 2026, 18:00 onwards
WHERE: SHAPE International Library


Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: Little Lumeçon, Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June 2026

Especially for kids of a height of 1 to 1.6 metres the Little Lumeçon is on the weekend following the Doudou.

This event allows 3560 children to participate, across the different coloured zones (according to height) in the Grand Place. Safety remains the top priority throughout.

You will need to collect a free t-shirt coloured specifically to your child's height for them to be able to participate. Name tags are also distributed. If children are taking part they will need long hair tied back, no jewellery and ideally closed toe shoes for their safety.

The agenda for the weekend can be found below:

BELGIUM: 2026 Doudou, Friday 29th May to Tuesday 2nd June

This weekend is the 2026 edition of the Doudou in Mons.

The heart of Mons city comes alive like nowhere else. The music of the Doudou once again
resonate in the streets. More than just an event, the ‘Doudou‘ is a unique moment, deeply rooted in the collective identity. Recognized by UNESCO as a masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage, the Doudou is the expression of a living tradition, passionately passed down from generation to generation. It is this collective strength, this sincere popular enthusiasm, that makes the Ducasse so rich and unique. 

There are four moments of particular importance:

1. The descent of the Shrine of relics of Lady Sainte-Waudru, founder of the city
2. The procession of the Golden Carriage
3. The ascent of the Golden Carriage
4. The combat called "Lumeçon": the fight of Saint-George and the Dragon

This is a very busy weekend in Mons and a very popular, busy event. It is not recommended to be on the Grand Place with small children/young people nor on the route of the Lumeçon. There will be a mini Doudou the following weekend for kids to enjoy (see additional Blog Post). Please also be alert to pickpockets during this event. Some useful information about where to park can be found here

Below is the agenda for the weekend:

SHAPE: Newcomers Briefs 2026 dates

Arrived at SHAPE since November 2025? Don't miss the upcoming 2026 Newcomer's Briefs held by SHAPE Base Support Group.

As you may have worked out so far, life at SHAPE is unique. With 32 NATO member nations and additional partner and military cooperation nations represented at SHAPE, we are a truly diverse community. The Newcomers Brief will help you and your family to acclimate to your new community.

This year these Introductory Meetings will be held in the Alliance Auditorium (Cinema) on the following dates:

• Thursday 30th July
• Thursday 27th August
• Thursday 24th September
• Thursday 22nd October

Find out all about life on SHAPE, Morale & Welfare Facilities, Med Centre Provision and more. These also include a Guided Tour into Mons and can be undertaken on the same day or at a subsequent session, but a seat will need to reserved in advance.

Book your place HERE.

Welcome to SHAPE!

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE