Thank you to all our visitors who made this 8th edition of the Bright Festival such a resounding success.
We look forward to seeing you again from 12 to 15 February 2026!
Experience four evenings of exceptional programming
Between illuminated works, live entertainment and guided tours, your perception of Brussels and its heritage will never be the same. An immersive discovery of the capital's streets that promises to be a truly multi-sensory experience.
Keep an eye out for regular updates to this programme.
Bright Sessions – Friday 14 February 2025
BIP, Salle des Guichets (2-4 rue Royale - Brussels)
Are you looking to be inspired while expanding your professional network? Then the Bright Sessions are for you!
The unmissable B2B event of the Bright Festival, Brussels' festival of lights, returns for a second edition! Join us for a day full of exchanges, bringing together the professional sector to explore exciting themes.
Don't miss this opportunity to network with key players in the industry and get ready for an illuminating experience!
Useful info
B2B event, registration required, for professionals only
Friday 14 February 2025
BIP, Salle des Guichets, 2-4 rue Royale, 1000 Brussels
Price: €60 (lunch and closing drink included)
Programme
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09:45>10:15 - Welcome
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10:15>10:30 - Opening speech
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10:30>11:30 - Round table - A conversation around the work of painter Alain Thomas and Spectaculaires' artwork Rêve Ailé
The round table discussion will feature Wilhem Thomas, art broker and director of Galerie l'Oiseau Bleu, and Benoit Quéro, founder and managing director of Spectaculaires, Allumeurs d'image. Wilhem Thomas will introduce the painter Alain Thomas and retrace his career and will also talk about his artistic universe, the process of creating a painting, and the creation of a digital painting designed by Spectaculaires. Benoît Quéro will provide an insight into the genesis and philosophy of Spectaculaires, their collaboration with Alain Thomas on the work Rêve Ailé, and the pivotal encounter between their vision and the artist. They will also explain how the vision of an animated work of art brought a new dimension to Alain Thomas's pictorial universe, influencing and enriching his artistic approach.
Speakers:
Wilhem Thomas, art broker and director of Galerie l'Oiseau Bleu (FR)
Benoît Quéro, Founder and Managing Director of Spectaculaires, Allumeurs d’Images (FR)
>> discussion in French, with an English en a Dutch interpreter
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11:30>11:45 - Coffee break
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11:45>12:30 - Short sessions
* Fijne Charcuterie presents the "Ligne Al-Ham-Bru" artwork - Barbra Erhardt, Katrien Demeyer, Wim Van den Brulle, members of the Fijne Charcuterie social and artistic collective (BE)
We address metropolitan challenges by developing projects that create a link between the neighbourhood and its residents, while responding in a playful and artistic way to the themes that animate Brussels' neighbourhoods. Visitors to the Bright Festival are invited, through ‘Ligne Al-ham-Bru’, to step out of their comfort zone and allow themselves to be surprised by photo and light installations, sound fragments and performances linked to the attractions of the Alhambra district.
>> Presentation in Dutch, with an English interpreter and a French interpreter
* Heritage lighting projects in Brussels supported by Sibelga - Madjid Teklal, Head of Specific Projects for Street Lighting & Illumination, Sibelga Brussels (BE)
Discover the various heritage lighting projects supported by Sibelga in collaboration with urban.brussels. The call for projects and the public contract for lighting designers will be discussed in order to inform the artists present. Also presented will be Sibelga's role in the development of municipal lighting plans, the implementation of lighting projects as part of these lighting plans or during redevelopment projects initiated by various public players (STIB, Infrabel, Beliris, etc.), and how these projects are managed.
>> Presentation in French, with an English interpreter and a Dutch interpreter
* Light Art Museum Budapest - a new museum experience - Szabolcs Vida, Strategy and Exhibition Director Light Art Museum Budapest (HU)
Fine arts museums have been facing serious challenges for years. The Light Art Museum Budapest, founded only 3 years ago, can be considered one of the possible answers to these challenges. The institution is a space for new artistic and art mediation experiments. The director of the institution, Vida Szabolcs, introduces the institution and its results.
>> Presentation in English, with a French interpreter and a Dutch interpreter
* The "Passions Humaines" artwork - Antoine Goldschmidt, Founder and Artistic Director at Magicstreet studio (BE)
By its very nature, the project questions the link, coexistence and dialogue between classical and digital art forms. How can we ensure the coexistence and dialogue between heritage and contemporary digital creation, and strike a balance between conservation and modernity?
>> Presentation in French, with an English interpreter and a Dutch interpreter
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12:30>14:00 – Lunch
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14:00>15:15 - Round table: Integrating sustainable criteria into public contracts for light festivals
Faced with today's challenges, light festivals need to combine creativity and sustainability. This round table discussion explores how environmental criteria can be incorporated into public procurement contracts. Participants will share best practices, drawing inspiration from what has already been done elsewhere, and highlighting collaborative efforts between stakeholders
Speakers:
Romain Tamayo, project manager of La Fête des Lumières de Lyon (FR),
Sylvie Bétard, co-founder of Les Augures, and Eco-advisor, Trainer & Director of Augures Lab Scénogrrrraphie (FR)
Benjamin Nesme, Lighting Designer and Stained Glass Artist (FR)
Marc Sicard, illustrator and designer (FR)
Moderator:
Frédéric Delvigne, sustainable projects manager at EventChange (BE)
>> discussion in French, with an English interpreter and a Ducth interpreter
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15:15>15:30 - Coffee break
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15:30>16:15 - Short sessions
* Ohme: ArtScience Inspirations for Light Projects - Nicolas Klimis & Raoul Sommeillier, Development Directors at Ohme (BE)
In this talk, two co-founders of Brussels-based art-science production and research company Ohme will present the organisation’s work through a selection of projects. They will illustrate how scientific concepts and methodologies can inspire the creation of light-based installations, bridging artistic and scientific approaches.
>> Presentation in French, with an English interpreter and a Dutch interpreter
* Presentation of the Patchlab Digital Art Festival in Poland - Elwira Wojtunik, Artistic Director, & Popesz Csaba Láng, Executive Director (PL)
Patchlab Digital Art Festival is an annual event organised in Krakow, Poland since 2012, presenting the constantly changing impact of technology on society and the environment through art. For 13 years, the programme has presented the creative potential hidden in machines, algorithms, programming and databases, exploring contemporary digital culture and art, including VR, AR, XR, AI, machine learning, hacking and digital identity.
The presenters are also creators of the Resonantia Lux projection which will illuminate the facade of the House of European History during the 2025 Bright Festival - so they will also say a few words about the creation process of this art piece.
>> Presentation in English, with a French interpreter and a Dutch interpreter
* A human rights path at the heart of the Bright Festival - Pauline Chauvel, fundraising coordinator for Amnesty International in French-speaking Belgium (BE)
Amnesty International fights to defend human rights around the world every single day. Creating a Human Rights Way for the Bright festival, right in the heart of Europe, is a unique opportunity to highlight people at risk around the world and to invite the public to take action on their behalf.
>> Presentation in French, with an English interpreter and a Dutch interpreter
* The Atomium: a dialogue between heritage and digital art - Julie Almau Gonzalez, General Director of the Atomium & Arnaud Bozzini, Director of Exhibitions at the Atomium (BE)
A symbol of progress and modernity since 1958, the Atomium has been open to digital artistic creation for the past ten years. Today, this interest is no longer confined to its own exhibition space, but extends to the entire building, many of whose spaces are brought to life by temporary or permanent installations. These monumental light and sound sculptures enter into a dialogue with the heritage architecture of the Atomium. It is this experimentation and its future that we would like to share with you.
>> Presentation in French, with an English interpreter and a Dutch interpreter
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16:15>17:15 - Closing drink
Bright Festival lights up the streets of Brussels every evening from 13 to 16 February 2025 from 18:30 to 23:00.
To make the most of the experience, we advise you to follow the routes on foot. You can join them wherever you like and follow a loop that links the Royal Quarter and the European Quarter. More information below.
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Bright Festival
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13 to 16 February 2025
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Every evening from 18:30 to 23:00
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The Royal Quarter and the European Quarter
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Bright Kids
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14 to 16 February 2025
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From Friday to Sunday from 17:30 to 22:00
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Parc de Bruxelles
Route
Bright Festival is the perfect opportunity to take a stroll around Brussels. The routes are all easily accessible and each artwork is only a small walk from the next. The length of the walk varies from zone to zone:
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European route = 3km (walk from Cinquantenaire Park to Leopold Park)
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Royal route = 4.5km (circular route)
Are you coming by bicycle?
If you live in Brussels, cycling is an excellent way to get to the Bright Festival. For the occasion, cycloparking.brussels provides free secure bicycle parking from 18:30 to 23:30 near the Info Points of the Royal and European routes.
How does it work?
Park your bicycle for free and receive a code by text message that you can use when you return to your bike after the event. Please note: the bicycle parks close at 23:30.
Where are the bicycle parks?
Two bicycle parks will be available during the festival:
Royal route: Metro stop Park/Parc, next to our info point in the Royal Quarter.
European route: Cinquantenaire Park, next to our info point in the European Quarter.
>>> Check out our map to find out the exact location of the various bicycle parks (available soon).
As a bonus, each cyclist who drops off his or her bike receives a 50% discount code for a subscription to the “Bourse” and “De Brouckère” bike parks.
Plan your visit by bike with the Bike for Brussels route planner.
C TOM VERMEYLEN
A great offer : Dott x Bright Festival
Dott is offering new users 4 x 10 free minutes to help them travel from installation to installation at Bright Festival! To benefit:
- Download the Dott app.
- In Menu > Deals > Enter the BRIGHT25 promo code
- You're all set!
Dott users benefit from preferential rates with the Dott Flex pass (€2.99 per journey then €2 per journey) or 2 journeys for €3.99:
- In Menu > Pass > Select the “Dott Flex” Pass or “2 Journey Pass”
- You're all set!
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How to connect the two routes? Preferably take STIB public transport!
The easiest way to connect the two routes is by public transport. Click here to plan your trip.
From the Royal to the European route
- Metro 1 & 5: Park or Gare Centrale stops < > Merode stop.
Frequency: every 5 minutes on weekdays, every 10 minutes after 22:00 on weekends.
You don't have a MOBIB card to travel with the STIB? You can easily pay with your contactless bank card. Scan your bank card, smartphone or connected watch on the grey validator in the metro, tram or bus when you hop on!
The STIB lines and stops that give you access to the two routes
European route
Metro Merode station - 1, 5
Metro Trône/Troon station - 2, 6
Tram Merode Station - 81
Bus Merode - 27, 61, 80
Bus Parc Léopold/Leopoldpark - 59
Bus Luxembourg/Luxemburg - 12, 21, 27, 34, 38, 64, 80, 95
Royal route
Metro Gare Centrale/Centraal Station and Parc/Park stations - 1, 5
Metro Trône/Troon - 2, 6
Tram Parc/Park - 92
Bus Gare Centrale/Centraal Station - 29, 38, 52, 63, 65, 71, 66, 89
PRM accessibility
In order to be accessible to as many people as possible, Bright Festival is currently collaborating with the company Access-i. You can get more info at the info points (Brussels Park and Cinquantenaire Park) or online on the Access-i website (Royal route & European route). There you can find everything about the accessibility of the route and prepare your visit. On-site staff will be happy to help you along the route.
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There is a PRM car park on Place des congrès (Royal route) & rue Belliard (next to Parc Leopold and next to Parc du Cinquantenaire – European route)
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Information on adapted routes is available at the info points (Brussels Park & Cinquantenaire Park) and online
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Toilets adapted for PRM are at the Art & History museum and the Institute of Natural Sciences
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Contact person for PRMs before the festival: alexia@stormevents.be
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Contact for PRMs during the festival:
Robin (FR/EN, 13/02>16/02) +32 (0) 476 65 05 31
Ofelia (EN/FR/NL, 14/02>16/02) +32 (0) 478 07 28 17
Are you coming by train?
Do you live outside Brussels and are you coming by train? You can book a train ticket on the SNCB website. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the weekend rate applies (50% discount).
Are you coming by car?
Given how much traffic there can be in the capital, the best place to stop is at the CERIA Park & Ride (or one of the 8 other Park & Ride sites in Brussels). It will cost you just €3/evening (19:00 > 1:00), with no strings attached, and €0 on presentation at the cash desk of a mobib card (or contactless ticket) that has recorded a journey on the metro on the same day. From the CERIA P&R, metro lines 1 or 5 will take you to Brussels-Central station in just 20 minutes. If you are travelling to the centre by car, we advise you to park in the car parks along the inner ring road. Traffic around the routes has been adapted and temporary pedestrian zones have been established.
Alternatively, you could park your car in an SNCB car park near a station and come to Brussels by train. Brussels' Central and Luxembourg stations are along the route.
Contact
Organisation: bright@visit.brussels
Press: n.wibail@visit.brussels
Taking and distribution of photographs
Bright Festival is an event open to everyone. Photographs will be taken during the event and published for promotional purposes on Google Photos and other media (e.g. brochures, newsletters, social networks, newspapers, etc.).
Shine with us!
Become a Bright Festival 2026 partner
In the heart of winter, Bright Festival treats the capital to a genuine dose of light therapy. It provides a unique experience combining art, light and wonder, and offers you a chance to shine with us.
Your support can only improve Bright Festival 2026: a financial contribution, logistical help or a collaboration. Every little bit counts and will contribute to the success of this event!
Contact :
