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Entertainment
Guide to Events, Entertainment and Nightlife in Brugge

You're never going to mistake Bruges for one of its larger, more cosmopolitan European neighbours. Much of the city's entertainment value comes in the pleasure derived from admiring the architecture and enjoying the serenity of its pretty streets. That's not to say that Bruges is totally devoid of leisure activities, it's just that they don't revolve around breaking club music until dawn.

Music & Theatre

Classical and Opera

As the 2002 European Capital of Culture Bruges established a very lively classical music scene. With venues such as the state of the art Concertgebouw the city should continue to attract Europe's finest orchestras and musical performers.

Concertgebouw
t'Zand
Tel: +32 (0)50-476-999
Designed by architects Paul Robbrecht and Hilde Daem the Concertgebouw only opened for the first time in February 2002. It is a fully modern concert hall and featured prominently in the Capital of Culture celebrations. It continues as a venue for the fine arts including classical music, opera and jazz.

Stadsschouwburg (City Theatre)
Vlamingstraat 29
Tel: +32 (0)50-443-060
The city theatre hosts a variety of performances, predominantly theatrical, but sometimes dance events or concerts are put on here too.

Koningin Astridpark
Stalijzerstraat
This large municipal park doubles as a venue for semi-impromptu live performances during the more clement months. It is situated in the city's Southeast District, below the Vismarkt.

Modern

Bruges isn't famed for its pop music scene but there are a couple of clubs that provide more modern musical entertainment.

De Werf
Werfstraat 108
Tel: +32 (0)50-330-529
Not as prominent in Bruges as in Belgium's capital, jazz is nonetheless a popular form of music, and regular live performances take place at this pub-like venue. A nominal entrance fee of around EUR1 is usually charged which makes it pretty good value.


Magdalenazaal - The Cactus Club
Magdalenastraat 27
Tel: +32 (0)50-332-014
The only venue of any note where contemporary music dominates. Live performances by local bands are held fairly frequently.

Sport

Like most places in Europe Bruges's sporting interest is dominated by football, or soccer. Club Brugge is the city's soccer team and plies its trade in the Belgian first division from its stadium 4km outside the centre. Tickets start at EUR15 with the season running from September to April.

Jan Breydal Stadium
Olympialaan 74
Tel: +32 (0)50-402-121

Cinema

Bruges, like all major cities in Europe can boast an abundance of modern cinemas located around the city centre and in the suburbs.

The following is centrally located and shows the typical Hollywood fare:

Cinema Liberty
Kuipersstraat 23
Tel: +32 (0)50-332-011

The smaller Cinema Lumière (St Jakobsstraat 36a, Tel: +32 (0)50-343-465) is the place to visit for home-produced and other foreign films.

Special Events

April
The Tour of Flanders cycle race starts from the city. International cyclists compete in the annual event and plenty of fans line the streets to watch the riders flash by.

May
40 days after Easter, on Ascension Day (normally occurring in May) the annual Procession of the Holy Blood takes place from the basilica on the Burg. The reliquary containing the icon is paraded around the streets in a formal procession.

Mid-August
Every five years Bruges celebrates its Festival of the Canals (Reiefeesten). Actors, dancers and musicians create live scenes along the canals of the medieval city. The celebration will next be held in 2008. For information call Tel: +32 (0)50-448-686.

Early September
The Braderie is a traditional market where you can find anything, from food, to clothes, to antiques. Langestraat is closed to traffic and people wander up and down the street, looking at the stalls that have set up here and enjoying food, drink and a friendly relaxed ambience.

Journee du patrimoine: Hundreds of public buildings are open to the public free of charge on designated heritage days through the month.

Early December
Bruges, like many places in Belgium, holds a traditional Christmas Market in the month leading up to Christmas. It's a festive affair and an ideal opportunity to buy treats, presents and of course plenty of marvellous Belgium beers (although the mulled wine is often more warming).

 

Map of Brugge


 

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