Discover the season's programme and book your opera, concert or ballet tickets in Brussels now!

What shows are to see in Brussels this season?

Greet the Manneken-Pis and savour Belgian chocolate! Brussels welcomes you with its museums, theatres and history! Give way to the enjoyment of lyrical music… book your opera tickets to the Monnaie de Munt or attend to a concert at the Palais des Beaux-Arts (BOZAR)!

A little history

The ancient texts indicate a chapel was built by the Zenne during the seventh century. Another theory suggests that 979 is the year of Broselia's foundation. Both theories remain unconfirmed.

The first Palace of Coudenberg was built by Count Lambert II during the eleventh century.

The Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Good, inherited the Brabant region and made Brussels the capital of the Burgundian Netherlands in 1430. Charles Quint became sovereign of Burgundy in 1515 and inherited the Spanish throne in 1516. The Spanish control on the region began. He gathered all his territories into one large empire.

On August 13^th, 1695, Brussels is destroyed by Marshall Villeroy, under the command of Louis XIV. This offensive on civilians exterior to any conflict is condemned by Europeans. The Grand-Place is demolished and around 5 000 buildings destroyed.

The ambitious Prince Maximilien-Emmanuel of Bavaria began the rebuilding of the city. Despite the shape of the streets which was somewhat retained, the streets and crossings were enlarged and optimised. The reconstruction took 5 years, but Brussels became splendid!

Brussels' economy flourished thanks to the continental blockade organised by Napoléon I. Brussels got ahead of the English, until Napoléon's defeat in Waterloo. The Belgian regions are reattached to the United Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815. During the nights of the 24^th and 25^th of august 1830, the Belgians started a revolution. Leopold I became the King of independent Belgium and makes Brussels the capital of the country.

Nowadays, Brussels is the headquarters of many major institutions such as the European Commission and NATO. 30% of Brussels' inhabitants are born abroad, making Brussels a multicultural European capital.

Brussels has many places to visit. Check out the museum of musical instruments: you will be able to listen to all the different instruments!

Visit the old Palace of Coudenberg located under the Place Royale to discover Brussels' history. Do not forget the magnificent Cathedral of Saints-Michel-and-Gudule.

Go for a walk in the Parc du Cinquantenaire. Admire the Arch of Triumph standing in the centre.

For a musical journey, the Théâtre de la Monnaie and the Palais des Beaux-Arts are the places to go !

The original building of the Théâtre de la Monnaie de Munt dates from the 1700's. Then, Louis Damesme imagined a new theatre which was inaugurated in 1819. Auber's opera, La Muette de Portici, was played in 1830. During a performance on August 25^th of the same year, the audience walked out into the streets. A riot against the regime began and the rioters pillaged several buildings. This event played an important role in Belgium's independence.

In 1855, a fire destroyed the theatre. It was rebuilt by the architect Joseph Poelaert and was inaugurated on March 25^th, 1856. Nowadays the Théâtre de la Monnaie is one of the most beautiful opera houses in Europe and the tickets are highly sought after!

The Palais des Beaux-Arts, designed by Victor Horta, opened its doors in 1928. The BOZAR offers cinematic productions, concerts, recitals, operas, theatre performances and many more art forms!

The architecture of the Palais is unique: it is dug into the ground. The concert halls, theatre and other halls are underground! The acoustics of the Henry le Bœuf room and the chamber music room make the musical experience exceptional!

Discover Brussels!

The Parc du Cinquantenaire, the museums surrounding it, a visit of the Cathedral of Saints-Michel-and-Gudule and the remains of the old Palace of Coudenberg are must-sees if you visit Brussels!

To top it off, book your opera or concert tickets for the Théâtre de la Monnaie de Munt or at the Palais des BOZAR! Both theatres are great! If you choose the Palais des Beaux-Arts, take a look at the other expositions.