Brussels Renaissance Festival

The Brussels Renaissance Festival offers, from 17 May to 4 July 2026, a series of events that showcase European heritage and history during the Renaissance. The Renaissance period is, without doubt, the most prosperous period of Brussels' history. Holy Roman Emperor Charles V ruled over much of Europe, an empire over which it was said that 'the sun never set'. The most influential figure in European politics chose Brussels as his main residence. The result? An effervescence that permeated all domains: diplomatic, cultural, artistic, etc. It was, it some ways, the first tentative steps towards the construction of a united Europe... which would see Brussels become the capital of 500 million Europeans. Now, that deserves a festival, wouldn't you say?