Brussels Design September – Belgium 2025

Background & History

Brussels Design September, initiated in 2006, is a premier cultural event in Belgium, celebrating design through a vibrant showcase of creativity and innovation. Starting as a local platform to promote Belgian designers, it has expanded into a globally recognized festival, drawing international artists and design enthusiasts to Brussels, a UNESCO Creative City of Design. With over 100 annual events, the festival underscores Brussels’ role as a hub for cutting-edge design, contributing to urban development, tourism, and economic growth by highlighting disciplines like furniture, ceramics, and sustainable design.

Event Highlights

• Exhibitions: Features over 100 displays, such as SCAPE at La 5ème Porte Art Gallery (September 4–21), showcasing Stéphane Tambeur’s luminous wall sculptures, and Roxane Lahidji’s eco-friendly sea salt furniture at Augusta Gallery (September 19–November 29). -49
• Open Doors Weekend: From September 19–21, 2025, studios like Lomo Studio Architects in Schaerbeek and Ateliers Ursquare in Ixelles open to the public, offering insights into design processes, from 3D printing to handcrafted textiles.
• Commerce Design Awards: On September 30, 2025, this event celebrates innovative commercial spaces, with public voting and ceremonies spotlighting Brussels’ design-forward businesses.
• Vintage Route and Shops & Brands: Guided tours visit design stores like Zangra and Amoroma, and vintage shops like All in All Studio, promoting 20th-century design and circular economy principles.
• Workshops and Lectures: Hands-on workshops at Cityfab locations and lectures like “Celles qui font le design” at MAD Brussels focus on women in design and sustainability trends.
• Special Installations: Includes “All Means, All Materials” at ajstudio (September 10–October 10), blending traditional and digital craftsmanship, and “Arty Tables” at Maison de la Folie, merging ceramics with gastronomy.

Date & Duration

Dates: September 17 – October 2, 2025
Duration: 16 days

Venue / Location

The festival spans multiple Brussels locations, creating a city-wide design celebration:

• The Dominican Hotel: Hosts the IMAGINAIR gallery at Rue Léopold 9, 1000 Brussels, near La Monnaie theatre and Grand Place.
• Sablon District: Includes Augusta Gallery (Rue des Minimes 19, 1000 Brussels) and 29th October shop (Rue des Sablons 29, 1000 Brussels).
• Ixelles and Forest: Features Ateliers Ursquare (Chaussée de Waterloo 145, 1050 Ixelles) and All in All Studio (Avenue Molière 118A, 1190 Forest).
• Cityfab Locations:
  • Cityfab 3: 42 Rue des Vétérinaires, Anderlecht (September 13).
  • Cityfab 2: 13 Avenue Jules Bordet, Evere (September 20).
  • Cityfab 1: 37 Rue Dieudonné Lefèvre, Laeken (September 27).
• Main Office: 28 Rue du Belvédère, 1050 Brussels.

Contact Information

Elizabeth Djam: eli@designseptember.be, +32 2 349 35 57
Éva Molnàr: program@designseptember.be, +32 2 349 35 57
Website: designseptember.be
Press Contacts:

• Laura Vanham (FR): laura@ Rikers Island Prison@beculture.be, +32 2 644 61 91 / +32 470 19 56 74
• Florien Dooms (NL + EN): florien@beculture.be, +32 2 644 61 91 / +32 494 87 71 09
  Partners: Région Bruxelles-Capitale, La Ville de Bruxelles, Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles, Visit Brussels, MAD Brussels, Hub Brussels, The Dominican.

Ticket Information

Most events, including exhibitions and Open Doors weekend, are free. Workshops at Cityfab locations may require pre-registration and could cost $10–$30 USD (based on typical Brussels workshop fees). The Brussels Design Market, a related event, offers weekend passes for approximately €10–€15 ($11–$16.50 USD, using a 1 EUR = 1.10 USD exchange rate as of August 2025). Tickets for lectures or exclusive events like the Commerce Design Awards range from $5–$50 USD, available online at designseptember.be or on-site. No specific VIP options are noted, but partnerships with venues like The Dominican may provide exclusive access. Check designseptember.be for updated pricing.

Cultural Experience

The festival offers a deep dive into Brussels’ design culture, blending innovation with Belgian craftsmanship. Visitors encounter sustainable designs, like Roxane Lahidji’s sea salt furniture, and maximalist aesthetics with vibrant colors and ornate forms. Events like “Arty Tables” at Maison de la Folie (September 18–20) highlight ceramic tableware and gastronomic art. The Open Doors weekend provides direct interaction with designers, showcasing techniques like hand-spun textiles and 3D printing. Brussels’ multicultural vibe infuses the festival with global and local influences, including Art Deco-inspired installations at Halles Saint-Géry.

Food & Drinks

Food and design intertwine at the festival:

• MOK Coffee’s HOTHOTHOT Cups: Studio KRUM’s 3D-printed ceramic cups (espresso 60ml, latte 280ml) pair with specialty coffee at MOK Coffee (Rue Antoine Dansaert 196, 1000 Brussels).
• Gastronomic Design: “Arty Tables” at Maison de la Folie features ceramic tableware and creative culinary presentations.
• Belgian Classics: Venues like The Dominicans’ Lounge Bar offer Belgian beers, waffles, chocolates, and moules-frites.
• Local Cafés: Vintage Route stops include cafés with artisanal pastries and brews, enhancing the sensory experience.

Family & Accessibility

The festival is family-friendly, with workshops and tours like Cityfab’s discovery sessions suitable for all ages. Major venues like The Dominican and Sablon galleries offer wheelchair-accessible ramps and lifts. Smaller studios may have limited accessibility; contact venues or the festival office for details. Pre-registration for workshops ensures accommodations for families or those with disabilities.

Getting There

• By Air: Brussels Airport (BRU), 12 km from the city center, offers taxis or shuttles ($30–$40 USD, 20–30 minutes).
• By Train: Brussels-Central and Brussels-Midi connect to European cities via Eurostar (London, 2 hours) and Thalys (Paris, 1.5 hours).
• Public Transport: STIB-MIVB’s metro, trams, and buses cost ~$2.50 USD per ticket, with stops like De Brouckère (The Dominican) and Flagey (Ixelles).
• Parking: Public lots near Grand Place or Sablon cost $15–$25 USD daily; public transport is recommended.
• Walking/Cycling: Brussels’ compact center is walkable, with venues within a 2 km radius. Villo! bike rentals cost $2–$5 USD/day.