Brussels Jazz Weekend took place during our last few days in Brussels, and while my group and I were unable to stay and enjoy all three days of music, we had a ton of fun experiencing the completely free concerts held all over the city in public squares and clubs and bars alike. The action centered around three stages in Brussels: the Grand Place, the Place de la Bourse and the Place Sainte-Catherine. Each of these public areas were transformed into live music venues surrounded by bars, restaurants and people taking it all in. Each square seemingly attracted a different crowd and type of music: At the Grand Place one could hear slower songs and enjoy a calmer, laid-back affair catering to older folks; the Place de la Bourse and Place Sainte-Catherine attracted younger crowds and more tourists with its lively techno-jazz fusion performances.

A local told me that upwards of a hundred thousand visitors come to Brussels for the weekend. It made sense considering the vastness of the crowds and the lack of space in many restaurants and bars all over the city. I decided to head out to the European Quarter on my final evening to have a quiet dinner away from the hectic city center before returning to enjoy the music and soak up the vibe at Place de la Bourse for a short time. After the last act of the evening packed up, I left to finalize my preparations for our trip to The Hague the next morning. Overall, I had a blast in Brussels and really enjoyed the opportunity to hear how different the jazz scene is in Belgium compared to that in the U.S. In most American cities, we don’t get to enjoy both the fascinating architecture in the city center or the social atmosphere that an event like this brings to European cities, so the Brussels Jazz Festival was memorable to say the least.

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