Benelux Culture Calendar: Autumn 2025

By Karl Batterbee

From comic books and classical music, to unseen photography and digital artworks, there’s plenty going on across Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg this month to keep your cultural cravings satisfied.

Cross Comix Festival (12-13 September)

Exhibitions, drawing workshops, presentations, performances – at Cross Comix, attendees are going to discover all aspects of modern comics. The theme of this year’s festival is ‘stories without words’, with animation legend Paul Driessen (over 50 years of experience and an Oscar nomination) booked to talk about his work. Cross Comix is a festival where you are even encouraged to get started on the artform yourself: drawing models, making linocuts or learning how to put together a comic strip scenario. More than many other festivals of its kind, this is one that is sure to add a pop of colour or two to your weekend! Rotterdam, Netherlands

www.crosscomix.nl

Unseen Amsterdam will take visitors behind the familiar facades of the Dutch capital. Photo: amsterdam.net

Unseen Amsterdam (18 – 21 September)

Unseen is an art fair dedicated to the latest developments in contemporary photography. The world of photography is developing at lightning speed. The fair connects the new with the established, creating a platform that has become an important insight into the latest developments and directions the medium of photography is taking. Amongst its 65 exhibitors are established international photography and contemporary art galleries, as well as young, up-and-coming initiatives. Unseen showcases how contemporary photography offers unexpected perspectives and stems from different backgrounds. Here, visitors can see how photographers make use of the medium in innovative, intelligent, inspiring and provocative ways. Amsterdam, Netherlands

www.unseenphoto.com

The Dutch Theatre Festival will happen across 11 theatres in Amsterdam. Photo: Dutch Theatre Festival

The Dutch Theatre Festival (4 – 14 September)

This September, the Dutch Theatre Festival returns for 11 days of shows in 11 theatres across town. The programme has been specially selected for attendees by seven professional juries in the Netherlands and Flanders. The likes of theatre, cabaret, youth theatre, mime, performance, new talent and much more are on offer, so as to ensure a broad spectrum of tastes in catered for. The top performances of the theatre world can be seen at some classic venues of the Dutch capital, such as International Theatre Amsterdam, Theatre Bellevue, Theatre De Krakeling, De Meervaart and Bijlmer Parktheater, amongst others. Amsterdam,
Netherlands

www.tf.nl

The Flanders Festival Ghent offers classical music for both young and old. Photo: Visit Ghent

Flanders Festival Ghent (13 September – 2 October)

Flanders Festival Ghent has been a big part of the music festival scene for many years now; billing itself as offering classical music for both young and old. From classical to world music to artistic performances: every year some 1,500 international artists come to perform in and around the Belgian city. Coming along to watch them, some 50,000 visitors descend into Ghent annually to enjoy a programme filled with classical music in its purest form, as well as enlightening world music and top-tier jazz. World-famous artists and up-and-coming talents will take to the stage at approximately 180 concerts, all ready to entertain both avid music lovers and music explorers. Ghent, Belgium

www.ghentfestival.be

Crémant and Culture Festival (21 September)

Every year, the city of Remich invites guests to the traditional Crémant Festival and Culture Festival. In addition to their promise to be a ‘fair like in the old days’, where children ride on a merry-go-round and adults let off steam by throwing cans, numerous artists are able to exhibit their works here. Attendees can expect to find a wealth of paintings, sculptures made of ceramics and wood, jewellery and photography, plus much more besides. And for a well-deserved break in between the sights and shopping, the region’s wine-growers will be tempting you with their top wines and Crémants. Remich, Luxembourg

www.visitremich.com

Brussels Art Square – 20th anniversary (25 – 28 September)

Everyone is invited to celebrate 20 years of Brussels Art Square in the historic Sablon, at the heart of Belgium’s art market. For the occasion, over 50 Belgian and international galleries will be opening their doors, inviting you to explore 4,000 years of art history – from archaeology to contemporary works. This special anniversary edition will also feature some exclusive exhibitions, temporary projects, and rare access to spaces that are normally closed to the public. It’s set to be an unmissable opportunity for art lovers! Brussels, Belgium

www.brusselsartsquare.com

Claudia Larcher’s Floral Fiction exhibition runs in Luxembourg
until the end of September. Photo: Floral Fiction

Floral Fiction (until 28 September)

In this exhibition, Claudia Larcher presents a fascinating reinterpretation of the still life tradition, inspired by the Dutch painter Rachel Ruysch (1664-1750). Ruysch, one of the most important still life painters of the Dutch Golden Age, was known for her detailed, vibrant flower arrangements, staging nature as both magnificent and ephemeral. Claudia Larcher draws on this tradition and brings it into the digital age. Her works are not images of nature, but its digital echo: blossoms made of plastic, glass and pixels. A particular highlight of the exhibition is its interactive component: with the help of the augmented reality app Artivive, visitors can discover the ‘original’ source image by Rachel Ruysch in the digital compositions and experience first-hand the dialogue between Baroque painting and digital art for themselves. Montée du Château, Luxembourg

www.luga.lu