What to do in Brussels in febrero

Winter soldes from January 3rd — the state regulates six weeks of sales along Rue Neuve and the Galeries Royales, the best shopping window of the year.

Klarafestival fills Bozar and Flagey with classical music all March — one of the country's major symphonic events, with international guest orchestras.

BIFFF, the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival — horror and fantasy screenings with a famously rowdy crowd and its legendary vampires' ball.

Fête de l'Iris in early May — the festival of the Brussels-Capital Region fills the Grand Place and Mont des Arts with free concerts.

Couleur Café in late June — the city's big world and urban music festival, in the Parc d'Osseghem at the foot of the Atomium.

Ommegang in early July — the Renaissance historical pageant reenacts Charles V's entry on the Grand Place, a UNESCO-recognized tradition.

The Flower Carpet covers the Grand Place — every two years, in even-numbered years, nearly a million begonias form a giant floral tapestry in mid-August.

Belgian Beer Weekend on the first weekend of September — the brewing guilds pour hundreds of Belgian beers right on the Grand Place.

Nuit Blanche in early October — a night of contemporary art and installations that take over downtown streets and buildings until dawn.

Winter Wonders opens in late November — the Christmas market debuts its Ferris wheel, ice rink and the sound-and-light show on the Grand Place.

Winter Wonders in full swing — over 200 chalets, a giant Ferris wheel and a sound-and-light show projected onto the Grand Place facades.