5 fun events in Flanders this week
Guided city walks, Carnival celebrations and a farewell tour of Natural Sciences Museum’s insect collection: our pick of activities in Flanders and Brussels
Walk it off
Farewell Tour of Insect Hall
The Natural Sciences Museum’s old Insect and Shell Halls will close permanently after the spring school holidays. Go behind the scenes for a last guided look at the displays and collections. Intended for adults; coffee included. Registration required. (In Dutch) 31 March 14.00-16.00, Vautierstraat 29, Brussels; free
Flandriens City Walk
As all cycling fans know, a flandrien is a Flemish cycling hero. On this guided city walk of Bruges, learn all about the history of cycle racing in the region and the famous Tour of Flanders race as you visit places connected with the sport. (In Dutch) 26 March 10.30-12.30, In & Uit, ’t Zand 34, Bruges; €7
Hasselt Carnival
The city of Hasselt celebrates Carnival not at the beginning of Lent but at the season’s halfway point, offering residents a break from 40 days of fasting. The entire weekend is given over to silliness, including a clown parade and “wrong” pub crawl on Saturday, and the the main Carnival parade on Sunday. 26-27 March, Hasselt city centre; free
USE-IT Walking Tour
Every Monday, the company that publishes the free folding maps of major cities in the world, geared primarily at students and backpackers, offers a free tour of Brussels led by a young local. The route changes every week and focuses on neighbourhoods outside the tourist centre, with tips on cheap eats, street art, good coffee and hidden gems. 27 March 14.00, Galerie Ravenstein 25, Brussels; free
Register for Brussels 20K
Registration opens this weekend for the annual half-marathon through the centre of Brussels. Registrations are capped at 40,000 and usually sell out. The course starts and ends in Jubelpark and passes through the Woluwepark and Ter Kamerenbos. 28 May 10.00, Brussels; €25
Photo courtesy Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences
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