What to do in Brussels in mayo

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.

Bright Brussels lights up the center — a nighttime trail of light-art installations winding through the Pentagon over several February evenings.

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.

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.