13 highlights in 2023

Bruges continues to capture the imagination in all its facets: historic, surprising, ancient and contemporary, compact yet grand. In this World Heritage City, you can enjoy art as well as discovering the art of enjoyment. A place where history, culture, gastronomy and nature merge into a unique experience. The following 13 tips will see you through the new year.

The four seasons

Bruges is a travel destination for all seasons. The four hiking trails in the ‘Oooh! Bruges’ walking guide are the perfect way to discover both monumental sites and special hidden places. 'Amazing World Heritage’ in winter, ‘Burgundian Splendour’ in spring, ‘Contemporary Hotspots’ in summer, 'Silent Nostalgia’ in autumn is one possible sequence.

May

In May 2023, the Bruges May Fair takes place from April 28 to May 21. On May 1, multiple events are organized, including the May 1 celebration at the Vismarkt, the Red Rock Rally at the Queen Astrid Park, and the (H)eerlijk Brugge event at the Queen Astrid Park and Kiosk. On May 7, the Dwars door Brugge takes place, starting at the Stationsplein side of Sint-Michiels and ending in Sint-Michiels. On May 18, the Heilig Bloedprocessie takes place in the city center, and on May 20, Nomade Open Air takes place on Kleine Moerstraat in Sint-Pieters. Discover Thailand is organized on May 28 at 't Zand, and on the same day, the Urban Walk takes place in the city center.

June

In June 2023, the Bruges Beer Festival will take place on June 10th and 11th around the Beursplein near the BMCC. Retro Nation Open Air will be held on June 10th in Sint-Pieters at the Domein Aan De Plas, and on June 11th, the Elfstedenronde cycling race will start at 't Zand and pass through the Markt and the city center, heading towards Assebroek, Sint-Pieters, Kristus-Koning, Sint-Kruis, and the R30 before finishing. The Lotto Belgium Tour on June 16th is a local cycling race that will end in Dudzele. On June 17th, there is the Urban Swim Brugge, which takes place between the Carmers Bridge and Vismarkt, and from June 16th to 18th, there is Uitwijken at the Gandhiplein in Sint-Jozef. Barrio Cantina is on the same dates at 't Zand. The Maatjesweekend will take place on the Vismarkt on June 17th and 18th, and on June 24th, there is Feest in 't Park in the Minnewaterpark. Also on June 24th is the Brugge Triathlon, which starts at Langerei and finishes on the Kruisvest. On June 25th, there are the Zeewijdingsprocessie and Zeewijding at the Visserskruis, and the Folk Museum will celebrate its 50th anniversary. Finally, on June 28th, there is Kwix in the Dark at the Daverlo party hall.

July

In July 2023, "Dansen op de Vismarkt" will start on July 1st and run until August 27th. "Vrij Podium + Free Outdoor Live Music @ The Steamer" takes place every Sunday from July 2nd to August 27th on the Rederskaai in Zeebrugge. On July 2nd, there will be a "Zonnekijkdag" at the Cozmix Visitors Center, and the "Zandfeesten" will take place on July 2nd at 't Zand, Vrijdagmarkt, Koning Albert I-park, Hauwerstraat and Begijnenvest. "WIJklanken" runs from July 4th to August 29th in different districts, and "Klinkende Kroegen" runs from July 5th to August 30th in the center of Bruges. "Film op het Strand" takes place every Thursday from July 6th until the end of August.