Building on the success of BANAD, explore.brussels launched a new autumn event in 2025. The ANTE Festival explored more than a century of Brussels architecture, from 1780 to 1920. With accessible walks, lectures and visits to places that are normally closed to the public, the festival showed how rich and surprising the “long 19th century” actually was. It was a fresh, broad introduction to the many historical layers that help define Brussels today. 

 Brussels Coffee Tours offer a glimpse of the city with coffee as the guiding theme. In 2025, OK Coffee Studio expanded its field of activity from specialty coffee bars to restaurants, hotels, bakeries, wine bars and co-working spaces. Participants sample espresso, filter coffee and Brussels delicacies, accompanied by stories about recipes and food cultures. The tours are a cultural and taste-oriented exploration of Brussels and its gastronomic heritage.

The MMM dedicated its annual feature exhibition in 2025 to the Congolese community in Brussels. Bruxelles, la Congolaise brought together photographs, works of art, testimonies and music to showcase the rich presence and diversity of Congolese migrants. The exhibition illustrated how the community plays an important role in the development of the region's multilingual and multicultural identity.

Brussels' newest and smallest five-star hotel opened in October 2025 in two restored 19th-century mansions. With 20 rooms, two restaurants, a bar and a wellness area, Faubourg21 offers an intimate luxury experience in the heart of the city. Each room has its own identity. The attention to detail in design and service evokes the atmosphere of a stately private residence. The hotel epitomises the growing luxury trend in Brussels, with a touch of nostalgia for the golden age.

Maison Degand remains a fixture in the Louise district and is pulling out all the stops for the festive season. The neoclassical facade transforms into an elegant showpiece, bathed in light and festive details. When you walk past it, you immediately feel the warmth and style that emanates from tradition. You get a sense of the craftsmanship and refinement that have defined Maison Degand for more than fifty years. In 2025, the decoration was themed around the Christmas rose. New technologies and sustainable materials from partner Globall Concept reinforced the story. 

After chocolate and beer, another Belgian icon has finally earned its own dedicated museum: the Frietmuseum Brussels. In the historic rue de l'Etuve, visitors can discover the history, traditions and techniques behind Belgian chips through interactive installations and fun activities. The visit ends, of course, with a tasting session. It's a new museum that showcases Brussels' culinary identity in a delicious way.

Theatre director Mohamed El Khatib transformed Maison Gertrude in the Marolles district into a vibrant arts centre. Twelve artists drew inspiration from conversations with residents to create photographs, texts, videos, drawings, collages and performances that focus on the poetry, vulnerability and humour of ageing. During guided tours, residents, staff and the Théâtre National guide visitors through a project that combines care and culture in a unique way.

Maison Vincent, located in the historic Ilôt Sacré quarter, is a beloved classic. For 120 years, the restaurant has been serving Belgian cuisine in a setting brimming with character. The famous ceramic fishing scene is a landmark. This major anniversary year was marked by two special events: an open day with prices in Belgian francs and a Belle Époque evening that brought the atmosphere of 1905 back to life. A tribute to tradition, craftsmanship and Brussels food culture.