The long wait is finally over: BRUSK, the new art gallery in Bruges, opens on May 8. Time for a celebration. Or even better: time for a three-day celebration! BRUSK FEST transforms Bruges' Museum Quarter into one big party zone.
Join us for a city festival for all ages packed with free performances, workshops, theater, live performances, and music in and around BRUSK. Be amazed by the fusion of the vibrant historic city with contemporary urban culture. Ready for an unforgettable festive weekend?
The full BRUSK FEST programme is free, open to all and requires no reservation. Only the exhibitions require a paid ticket (Bruges residents and visitors with a MuseumPASSmusées can book a free ticket).
Programme subject to change.
What can you expect?
- In BRUSK: Free concerts, children's theater and workshops, art installations, and extended opening hours of the two inaugural exhibitions ‘Latent City’ by Refik Anadol and ‘Bigger Picture’
- In and around the Dijver: a surprising mix of free demos and workshops, a skatepark with thrilling battles and free walk-in sessions, a graffiti wall in Groeningestraat, freerunners and a SUP nocturne.
- In the Arentshof: a 360° stage hosts an open-air concert programme for young and old, with a strong line-up curated by Cactus Muziekcentrum.
- In Bar Brusk: take a seat, grab what you like and settle wherever you want in the newest location of De Republiek, inside BRUSK.
How to get there?
Fast, easy and safe to BRUSK FEST? Come on foot, by bike or by public transport.
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On foot
- Bruges train station is a 1.2 km walk (17 minutes) from the Dijver.
- The bus stop and underground parking at 't Zand are a 750 m walk (10 minutes) from the Dijver.
Less mobile? An overview of accessible routes can be found here.
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By bike
BRUSK FEST is easily accessible by bike.
- You can park your bike in one of the extra bicycle parking areas at the Vismarkt, the Church of Our Lady, on Guido Gezelleplein, the Frères (only during the weekend), and at the main entrance of the Astridpark.
- Or leave your bike in the bicycle parking at the Market or at 't Zand.
Read more about bicycle facilities and shared bikes in Bruges.
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By bus
The nearest bus stops are at max. 400 m (5 minutes walk) from BRUSK FEST:
- Mariastraat (temporary stop)
- Oude Burg 5 (temporary stop)
- Wollestraat
- Garenmarkt
- On return to the station, the nearest bus stop is at ‘t Zand.
Take the centre shuttle bus or De Lijn bus 1 (west-east) or 2 (north-south) and get off at bus stop 502817 Bruges Dijver. Plan your route via the De Lijn website or the centre shuttle bus.
Extra evening buses on 08.05 and 09.05.
All De Lijn buses and the centre shuttle bus are wheelchair-accessible.
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By train
The Bruges train station is located 1.2 km walking distance from BRUSK FEST. From the station, you can also take the bus (lines 1 and 2) or the city shuttle bus to BRUSK FEST. Plan your trip via the NMBS website.
Tip: Buy a Discovery Ticket by using the SNCB code on your BRUSK ticket on sncb.be/discovery and travel return to Bruges at a 40% discount.
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By car
During BRUSK FEST, several streets are closed or have limited access for cars. Still coming by car?
It's best to park in:
- The paid parking at the Station or under 't Zand
- The free park-and-rides on the outskirts of the city (with the exception of parking lot Bevrijdingslaan). From here, you can easily reach the center by public transport or shared bicycle, even in the evening.
- You can find out more about parking in Bruges here.
Closed streets:
- During BRUSK FEST (8-10 May), the following streets are closed from 12:00 PM until the end of the event: Guido Gezelleplein, Gruuthusestraat, Dijver, and Nieuwstraat.
- Detour via Mariastraat – Simon Stevinplein – Oude Burg – Wollestraat.
No parking:
- From 4 May to 12 May 2026, parking will be prohibited on the following streets: Guido Gezelleplein, Gruuthusestraat and Dijver.
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Dwars door Brugge: 10 May
The Dwars door Brugge running race (15 km) takes place on Sunday, May 10, coinciding with the last day of BRUSK FEST. As a result, public transport will be affected: bus lines will operate according to an adjusted schedule and may experience delays or follow an altered route. The city shuttle bus will not operate on Sunday between 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Plan your route via the De Lijn website or the centre shuttle bus.
Accessibility
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With a wheelchair
- BRUSK FEST (the outdoor area, the BRUSK site, the walking paths from Dijver 12 and BRUSK) is fully wheelchair accessible
- There are wheelchair accessible toilets in BRUSK and on the Gruuthuseplein
- In BRUSK: spacious elevator with voice assistance to the exhibition halls on the first floor, lowered ticket booths and shop counter
- Outdoor area: wheelchair-friendly cable ducts where possible, especially in crucial places
- Arentshof: separate wheelchair zone on the tribune, accessible via wheelchair lift
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With a hearing impairment
In BRUSK, an induction loop is available at the BRUSK counter. The Aula is equipped with an amplifying audio system
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Visitors with reduced mobility
- In BRUSK: free light folding chairs or wheelchairs available at the counter, comfortable resting points
- Outdoor area: sufficient seating (benches and chairs) to rest
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With a visual impairment
- Outside BRUSK: guide lines from the BRON square to the entrance of BRUSK and BRON.
- In BRUSK: clear icons and contrasting signage. Guide lines to the desk, the restrooms, the elevator, the Aula, and Bar Brusk. From here, our stewards or staff are happy to provide further assistance.
- Outside area: additional support possible through our stewards or staff
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With a companion
- At BRUSK: recognized companions of individuals who cannot visit BRUSK independently are allowed free admission to the exhibitions. Reserve your free exhibition ticket in the online ticket shop or on-site.
- Registered assistance dogs are allowed at BRUSK. Are you bringing your assistance dog along? Please inform us in advance at musea.reservatie@brugge.be. Note, (other) pets are not allowed.
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Visitors with sensory sensitivities
Sensitive to overstimulation? On Saturday and Sunday (13:00-18:00), there is a low-stimulus room in BRUSK (Studio 1) with specialized guides from Inter.
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More information about accessibility
Extra info
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Food and drinks
- Bar Brusk: BRUSK and pop-up bars Dijver and Arentshof (every day).
- Food trucks: Dijver (Saturday and Sunday from 12:00), with pastries from Crêpes de Mamaloe and Tuscan ice cream from Coco Ijskar
- Free drinking water point: BRUSK (by the lockers). Tip: bring your reusable water bottle.
Food and drinks are allowed on the ground floor in BRUSK, except in Studio 2 and 3 during the workshops.
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Reusable cups
- The pop-up bars at BRUSK FEST use reusable cups that you return after use.
- Return point: next to the bar on the Dijver.
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Restrooms
- BRUSK: free (wheelchair accessible)
- Gruuthuseplein: paid (wheelchair accessible)
- Dijver: free (not wheelchair accessible)
- Arentshof: free (not wheelchair accessible)
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Information point
During BRUSK FEST, you will find an information point at the Dijver. Here, we'll assist you with all your practical questions.
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First Aid
First aid points are located at the Dijver and in BRUSK.
Together for a safe BRUSK FEST
Together we make BRUSK FEST an environment where everyone feels free, safe, and respected.
During BRUSK FEST, we form a temporary yet close and unique community. That's why we find it essential that every visitor, employee, and participant can experience the festival in the best possible conditions. Together we create a welcoming environment where everyone feels free, safe, and respected.
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Everyone welcome
Everyone is welcome at our event, regardless of religion, ethnicity, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or cultural background. Diversity makes our festival stronger and richer, and we take care of that together.
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Respect for each other
We treat each other and our staff with respect, understanding, and openness. Cross-border behavior, in any form, does not belong here.
We count on a responsible and caring attitude from our festival-goers. By looking out for one another and interacting respectfully, we collectively make BRUSK FEST a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
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Does something not feel right or safe?
Report it to a BRUSK-staff member.
Together for a sustainable BRUSK FEST
Sustainability is an integral part of BRUSK FEST, with additional focus on green energy, sustainable mobility, waste management, food, and drink. How do we work together towards a sustainable BRUSK FEST?
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Energy
During BRUSK FEST we use green energy as much as possible.
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Waste
- In the festival zone and BRUSK, you can sort your waste in the designated bins for PMD and residual waste.
- We work with as many reusable materials as possible and steer clear of single-use items.
- At the bars, we use reusable cups.
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Water
- For the additional toilets in the Arentshof and the Dijver we collaborate with a sustainable partner (WhenNatureCalls) who focuses on water-saving measures.
- The toilets in BRUSK are flushed with rainwater.
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Mobility
Together we opt for sustainable transport options (on foot, by bike or by public transport). Info on how to reach BRUSK FEST (sustainably) can be found above.
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Food and drinks
The food in the food trucks and in Bar Brusk is mainly vegetarian or vegan. The suppliers use responsible products and avoid food waste.
At the lockers in BRUSK, there is a free drinking water point with tap water.
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Flora and fauna
In the setup and construction of BRUSK FEST, we collaborate with the green services of the City of Bruges to minimize the impact on the environment and protect trees, shrubs, soil, and surroundings.
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Sustainable products
The organization and suppliers of BRUSK FEST follow a sustainability manifesto with purchasing criteria focused on responsible certifications and sustainable, reusable, and circular materials.
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CO₂ emissions
We calculate our full CO₂ emissions based on a combination of different data sources such as public data (via surveys), mobility data, data from suppliers, monitoring of water and electricity consumption...
This way, we map out our ecological footprint. After BRUSK FEST, we offset our emissions through a local sustainable project (info follows), and learn lessons to take further steps towards more sustainable operations in BRUSK.
BRUSK FEST is an organization of the City of Bruges, executed by Musea Brugge, in collaboration with Brugge Plus and Cactus Muziekcentrum. With the support of Belfius Private, VRT, De Standaard, and Event Flanders.