BELGIUM: Brussels Flower Carpet, Thursday 13th to Sunday 16th August 2026

The Flower Carpet returns this month for its 24th Edition!

Don't miss this beautiful display, of over 1650 square metres of begonias, dahlias, grass and bark in the capital.

WHEN: Thursday 13th to Sunday 16th August 2026

WHERE: Grand Place, Brussels
MORE INFORMATION: Here

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: Festive Family Fun Weekend at Waterloo, 15th and 16th August 2026

A spectacular adventure is coming to Waterloo this summer!

For the first time, a zipline is launching from the top of the Lion's Mound! For two days only, a range of awesome activities will be on offer for some fabulous family fun. Come and enjoy:

• Bouncy Castles
• Giant Zip Line
• Climbing Wall
• Pony Rides
• Historical Animations with Re-enactments
• Rifle and Cannon Demonstrations

And this is all included in the ticket entrance price - Under 10's go free!

WHEN: Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th August 2026
WHERE: The Domain of Waterloo
TICKETS: here

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: Free Museums Sunday this Sunday

This Sunday is the first Sunday of the Month which can only mean one thing....

FREE Museums Sunday! Over 160 museums are available to visit at no charge whatsoever, so this is a perfect opportunity to explore everything from history and art to the weird and wonderful that makes Belgium a great place to live! So whether its rain or shine this weekend, enjoy your downtime and make the most of this brilliant cultural initiative.

Some popular museums still require you to book online to guarantee entry but entry will be free on the first Sunday of every month.

Check out the participating museums HERE. And do check their website for any reservation requirements.

Happy Exploring!

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: Brits in NATO After Work Social, Thursday 30th July 2026 17:00 onwards

This month's Brits in NATO After Work Social is...

WHEN: Thursday 30th July 2026, 17:00 onwards
WHERE: NATO Staff Centre

Look out for the Union Jack.


Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: Free Museums Sunday this Sunday!

This Sunday is the first Sunday of the Month which can only mean one thing....

FREE Museums Sunday! Over 160 museums are available to visit at no charge whatsoever, so this is a perfect opportunity to explore everything from history and art to the weird and wonderful that makes Belgium a great place to live! So whether its rain or shine this weekend, enjoy your downtime and make the most of this brilliant cultural initiative.

Some popular museums still require you to book online to guarantee entry but entry will be free on the first Sunday of every month.

Check out the participating museums HERE. And do check their website for any reservation requirements.

Happy Exploring!

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: Guinguettes Season is Back for 2026

Guinguettes season is back in Brussels, launching last Friday with Guinguette Maurice in Cinquantenaire Park.

These pop-up bars, open across the city, offer food and drinks as well as various activities, events and concerts. The 2026 programme incudes Yoga, a Repair Cafe, a Lindy Hop and Street Theatre.

To find out more, have a read of this.

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: The Royal Palace in Brussels opens its doors to the public following a 2 year renovation

Following a two-year renovation project, the Royal Palace of Brussels will reopen its doors to the public!

The Palace is the administrative headquarters of the  Belgian monarchy and is where King Philip of Belgium maintains his office. 

Don't miss this opportunity to discover the architectural splendours of  this gorgeous building. The Palace will be open for 6 weeks this summer; check out the imposing grand staircase, the great gallery, the empire room and the throne room before enjoying the gorgeous gardens.

WHEN: Friday 3rd July to Sunday 16th August 2026

WHERE: The Royal Palace, Rue Brederode 16, 1000 Brussels

MORE INFORMATION: here

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: Back on Senne at the Sewer Museum, from now until 3rd January 2027

It is commonly said that Belgium has a Museum for Everything, but did you know that this country is home to a Sewer Museum?

Remi the Rat from Disney's Ratatouille may spring to mind, but it is in fact true, and Brussels is the location for this fascinating place. And from now until early-January 2027, Back on Senne is an exhibition that unlocks the hidden river beneath its premises. Projections, spatial sound and laser beams immerse visitors in a sensory landscape of moving light, tones and water movement. Workshops, guided walks and more are available.

The Sewer Museum is one of the 160+ museums throughout Belgium that take part in FREE Museums Sunday on the First Sunday of the Month too!

WHEN: Now until 3rd January 2027
WHERE: Anderlechtsepoort, 1000 Brussels
MORE INFORMATION: https://sewermuseum.brussels/en/

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BRUSSELS: Flight Exhibition, Friday 17th October 2025 until Sunday 9th August 2026

Ever wondered how to defy gravity? Short of finding Elphaba’s copy of the Grimmerie, why not pop along to the Museum of Natural Sciences to discover just how animals and humans can soar above the clouds without broomstick or magic.

Nature meets technology at this fascinating exhibition. Youngsters will also get a chance to make their own paper aeroplane soar too! Suitable for ages 10 and upwards.

WHEN: Friday 17th October 2025 until Sunday 9th August 2026

WHERE: Natural Sciences Museum, Rue Vautier 29, 1000 Brussels.

MORE INFORMATION: https://www.naturalsciences.be/en/museum/exhibitions-activities/exhibitions/flight

 

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

Belgium: FREE Museums Sunday

It’s the first Sunday of the month this weekend which can only mean one thing…. FREE museums Sunday!

Over 150 museums across Belgium, including the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Brussels, the Medicine Museum of Brussels in Erasmes, the Hergé Museum in Louvain-la-Neuve and the Mons Memorial Museum, will open their doors Free of Charge this Sunday.

It is a great opportunity to discover the cultural heritage, fantastic exhibitions and much more with family or friends. You may find the full list of Museums that are participating HERE.

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE.

BRUSSELS: Children's Summer Holiday Camps, registration now open!

Looking for Children's Summer Holiday Camps?

You can register your children for holiday camps from now. Sports activities, creative development, and all kinds of fun await your children. Registration at the Staff Centre reception, or by e-mail: academy.nato@highfive.fit. 

Available dates:

• 1-3 July (3 days)
• 6-10 July
• 13-17 July
• 20-24 July (4 days)
• 27-31 July
• 3-7 August
• 10-14 August
• 18-21 August (4 days)
• 24-28 August

PLEASE NOTE: in order to ensure the best experience for all families, camp registration will close one week before the start of the camp.

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BRUSSELS: Watch World Cup Games at the Staff Centre

Excited about the World Cup 2026?

World Cup matches will be screened on the TVs at the Staff Centre during opening hours.

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

BRUSSELS: Best Rooftops Bars in Brussels

For a sky high sun-downer in Brussels, check out the Rooftop Bars across the city.

• Rooftop 58
• The Beerlab
• Casa Alta
• Albert
• Soko Rooftop
• Bazar Rooftop
• Beursschouwburg
• The Eight Rooftop
• Secret Rooftop
• Akai
• The Hoxton Brussels
• Perché Rooftop
• The Roof

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BRUSSELS: Belgian Glass and Crystal Design exhibition at Design Museum Brussels, until Sunday 25 October 2026

The Design Museum Brussels present a new exhibition focussing on iconic Belgian Glass and Crystal Manufacture.

This expo is part of the bicentenary celebrations this year and reflects on the highly creative period between Expo 58 and the early 2000s.

WHEN: Until Sunday 25th October 2026
WHERE: Design Museum Brussels, Place de la Belgique 1, Laeken
MORE INFORMATION: here


Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: SAVE THE DATE the Brussels Flower Carpet returns this summer

SAVE THE DATE! This summer the Flower Carpet returns for its 24th Edition!

Don't miss this beautiful display, of over 1650 square metres of begonias, dahlias, grass and bark in the capital.

WHEN: Thursday 13th to Sunday 16th August 2026

WHERE: Grand Place, Brussels
MORE INFORMATION: Here

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: British Winter Sports Club Ski Membership for 2026-2027 season now open.

British Community Winter Sports Club Ski Membership for 2026-27 is now open!

If you fancy skiing all year round, take a look at this fantastic offer...

Join our Winter Sports Club, which will give you….

• Access for you, your family and friends (up to 5 people per visit)
• Equipment rental – Ski’s / Snowboard, boots, helmet
• Up to 3 times a week, every week of the year…. On real snow
• Access to 6 SnowWorld Resorts - Landgraaf (largest Indoor ski resort in West Europe), Antwerp (Closest to SHAPE), Zoetermeer, Ruchpen-Breda, Amsterdam & Ternuezen

And whilst not included in the club membership, these other onsite facilities are available at extra cost...

• Ski & Snowboard Lessons, 
• On site hotel – make it a break, 
• Bar & Restaurant, 
• Climbing, 
• Alpine Coaster,
• Adventure Trail &
• Ice Karting

As you can see even if some of your family don’t ski there is plenty to do!

To apply to join - British Winter Sports Club (SHAPE) (BWSC-S)

After just one visit you will have made your membership fee back….. DON’T MISS OUT!

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: The Urban Trail Series 2026

Have you heard of the Urban Trail Series Belgium? It really is the best way to see a city.....  

An Urban Trail is an experiential running event where participants — whether walkers, joggers or runners and anything in between — follow a mapped route ranging between 7 and 13km that takes them through streets, hidden alleys, historic sites and even inside notable buildings in towns and cities across the country.

Over the past two years, we as a family, including our (then) 8 and 9 year old daughter have thoroughly enjoyed these events.

This year, the series calendar includes major dates such as:

Brussels: 28 June 2026 — discover the Belgian capital’s heritage on foot in distances typically ranging from around 7 km to 12 km.
Ghent: 25 October 2026 — another chance to experience one of Flanders’ most historic cities in a uniquely engaging way.
Antwerp: 15 November 2026 — weaving through landmark locations in the port city.

Mechelen: 12 December 2026 — a night-time event closing out the series in this scenic city north of Brussels.

Having participated in the Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp events, I can honestly say they are thoroughly enjoyable and truly unique and we are looking forward to ending our Belgian stay with Brussels Urban Trail 2026.

In each event in the series you will see the cities as you’ve never seen them before — running or walking along routes that pass theatres, museums, tunnels, stadia and other urban treasures, with a focus on atmosphere and discovery rather than competition. 

Complete with Hydration stations, waved start times and festive post-run vibes these events are welcoming for a wide range of ages and fitness levels. It is no wonder that Urban Trails have become a distinctive and popular fixture in Belgium’s outdoor activity culture; encouraging people to be active, exploring familiar cities in new ways, and enjoying the blend of urban heritage and sporting fun throughout the year.

See you in Brussels!

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: Talbot House, a little piece of history in Poperinge

Talbot House was (and arguably still is) home from home for the British soldiers during the First World War. It was a bit of heaven, just behind hell.

Offering a canteen, surreal green garden, concert hall, library, billiards and of course a Chapel, it welcomed some half a million soldiers. The house rules were simple yet specific, everyone was admitted and treated equal. It reminded them what they were fighting for and gave them the hope and courage to return once more to the frontline where so many of them lie still today. 

Today, it’s been kept as it was. Revd. Tubby Clayton, who was it’s instigator and driving force (hurricane force) insisted that it would be used for the same purposes today. 

We are always very keen to welcome serving soldiers in the Club. Besides a ‘museum’ and a guest house, it very much is still a military club which thrives when it gets its old customers in for a cuppa. 
 

If you have not yet visited, do add it to your list of places to visit! It’s gone onto ours!

Photo Credit: Simon Louagie.

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: The National Memorial of Fort Breendonk

Have you visited Fort Breendonk yet?

It is one of the best-preserved testimonials of the Second World War Nazi atrocities. Learn about the sinister history of SS-Auffanglager Breendonk through a series of testimonial, picture and film footage and remember the men and women who suffered and sacrificed their lives for our liberty.

If you are a Museum Pass holder you can visit Fort Breendonk for FREE.

• Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History
• Command Bunker Kemmel
• Bastogne Barracks
• Trench of Death

are also covered under the Museum Pass.

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE.