What's on this week: 21 December

When Pulp Fiction’s vengeful crime boss Marsellus Wallace announced he was about to “get medieval” on his erstwhile captor, cinema-goers understood that Zed was in for a particularly painful comeuppance. The middle ages and their Renaissance sequel were times of cartoonishly savage punishment. This exhibition collects dozens of authentic exempla iustitiae (“examples of fair justice”), the paintings that adorned Flemish courtrooms hundreds of years ago. Whether depicting Biblical scenes of retribution or state-sanctioned torture, these tableaux were meant to remind magistrates of their duty to make a bloody example of anyone who stepped out of line. Until 5 February, Groeningemuseum, Bruge

You know how you’re always watching trailers of films you’d like to see, but then don’t get back to the cinema on time? Well, if those trailers were for Belgian films, we have good news for you. The annual Be Film Festival features just about every Belgian film made this year. Keep your eyes peeled for the latest Dardenne brothers flick La fille inconnue (The Unknown Girl, pictured), the lovely animated family film La tortue rouge (The Red Turtle) and King of the Belgians, a road movie that provides a shot in the arm of hope at the end of one distressing year. 22-30 December, Bozar & Cinematek, Brussels

For the past decade, Wannes Cappelle has led Flemish pop/rock group Het Zesde Metaal from strength to strength by combining modern production values with good old local flavour. Cappelle sings in his native West Flemish dialect and writes about everyday life in his neighbourhood. The band’s 2012 breakthrough single “Ploegsteert” was written about ill-fated local cycling legend Frank Vandenbroucke and has just been named the best Belgian song of all time by Radio 1. The band are set to celebrate the release of their fourth album Calais with a winter tour across Flanders. Many dates are already sold out, so buy now. 4 February to 17 March, across Flanders

Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike: Tomorrowland presents hometown heroes Dimitri and Mike, brothers whose love of dance music has taken them to the top of their field. German DJ Felix Jaehn opens. 22-23 December, Sportpaleis, Schijnpoortweg 119, Antwerp

Loïc Nottet: After distinguishing himself on The Voice Belgique, Eurovision and Danse Avec Les Stars, the young Belgian singer is now a bona-fide headliner. This concert is 11 months away, but you should buy now if you want a ticket. 25 November 2017, 20.00, Vorst Nationaal, Victor Rousseaulaan 208, Brussels

The Golden Cockerel: Incoming music director Alain Altinoglu directs his first opera for De Munt, composed by Russian nationalist Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov. (In Russian with Dutch and French surtitles) Until 30 December, Muntpaleis, Havenlaan 86C, Brussels

Sébastien van Malleghem: North Road: Young Belgian photojournalist presents a series of photos taken across Scandinavia, with his signature documentary style often giving way to poetic reverie. Until 15 January, Botanique, Koningsstraat 236, Brussels

Paintshop Portrait Gallery: Smak continues its collaboration with vocational school Centrum Leren en Werken with this delightful exhibition of self-portraits painted by students as they responded to questions like, “How do you see yourself?” Until 8 January, SMAK, Jan Hoetplein 1, Ghent

Brussels Bookswappers Christmas party: Exchange books in various languages for adults and kids, plus toy swap, raffle, live music, readings and mini Christmas market. 21 December, Chapelier Fou, Terhulpensesteenweg 190, Brussels