Midis-Minimes Festival: Your Lunchtime Classical Adventure in the Heart of Brussels

Brussels is buzzing this summer with the return of the beloved Midis-Minimes Festival, now celebrating its 39th edition! Running every weekday until August 29, this unique festival transforms your ordinary lunch break into a short and sweet classical music escape—just 45 minutes, right at 12:15 p.m., so you can get your musical fix and still be back at work or out exploring the city.

This year, Midis-Minimes brings new surprises. While the classic concert hall at the Brussels Conservatory is getting a makeover, two exciting venues join the lineup: the stately Cercle Royal Gaulois and the sparkling Hall of Mirrors at the Palais d’Egmont. These new spaces are more than just a pretty backdrop—they’re perfect for all kinds of sounds, from delicate solo performances to lively chamber music. And don’t worry, the iconic Notre-Dame des Victoires au Sablon is still on board, hosting concerts that showcase vocal and sacred music in its gorgeous, historic setting.

The festival kicks off on July 1 with Fauré’s inspirational Requiem, performed by Hanna Al-Bender, Shadi Torbey and the Chœur de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles under Anthony Vigneron. But that’s just the beginning—expect a whirlwind of talent and variety throughout the summer! From the daring duos of Gaëlle Solal & Juliette Hurel (flute & guitar) to the high-energy Curious Bards, the a cappella trio Les Itinérantes, and stellar groups like the Trio Solveig and Quatuor Alfama, the lineup promises both classics you’ll love and hidden gems waiting to be discovered. No two days are ever the same: one day you might hear a soloist, another day a full octet.

Each week, there’s something special in store:

• July 7–11 at Cercle Royal Gaulois: “Piano Week” puts the spotlight on keyboards, with performances by Guillaume Coppola, Irina Lankova, Pierre Solot, Elodie Vignon, and Maria Martinova.
• July 22–25 at Palais d’Egmont: Enjoy a parade of soloists, from Lucile Boulanger’s soulful viola da gamba to Gabriel Rignol (theorbo), Julien Martineau (mandolin), and Matthieu Camilleri (violin).
• August 11–14 at Notre-Dame des Victoires au Sablon: Get swept away by “String Quartet Week” starring Hermès, Ludwig, Taurus, and Métamorphoses quartets.

Don’t miss this year’s show-stopper: a five-concert marathon (July 7–11 at 1:30 p.m., Cercle Royal Gaulois), where the acclaimed Quatuor Danel dives deep into all of Dmitri Shostakovich’s string quartets. These 20th-century masterpieces rarely appear all together on one bill—so this is your chance to hear them as a powerful, moving musical journey across five lunchtime concerts.

Info at a Glance:

• What: Midis-Minimes Festival, weekday concerts at 12:15 p.m., July 1 to August 29, 2025
• Where:
  • Notre-Dame des Victoires au Sablon (Rue des Sablons, 1000 Brussels)
  • Cercle Royal Gaulois (Rue de la Loi 5, 1000 Brussels)
  • Palais d’Egmont (Place du Petit Sablon 8, 1000 Brussels)
• Details: Schedule, tickets and more at midis-minimes.be

Bring your friends, pack your curiosity, and treat yourself to a slice of Brussels’ lively classical music scene—one midday concert at a time!