A Spark in the Skyline: The Atomium Turns 20 with a Dazzling Celebration of Light, Sound, and Story

Few landmarks embody Belgium’s bold mix of heritage and innovation quite like the Atomium. In 2026, Brussels’ most recognizable icon celebrates 20 years since its major renovation — and it’s doing so in spectacular fashion. The anniversary program unfolds throughout the year, blending art, science, and storytelling in ways that speak to creativity, diversity, and connection.

From February onward, visitors can explore three groundbreaking digital art installations that reinterpret the Atomium’s futuristic spirit through immersive light and sound.

• Rotonde, by Belgian studio Dirty Monitor, gives the monument a striking nocturnal identity. Its circular structure and original sound composition transform the Atomium into a beacon that glows differently after dark.
• Supply Chain, from multimedia artist Romain Tardy, plays with LEDs, mirrors, and rhythm to turn reflection into poetry — a metaphor for our relationship with technology and flow in modern life.
• Nimbus, created by the Brussels-based collective Visual System, fills the architectural space with luminous and sonic waves, inviting visitors to lose themselves in a glowing, ever-shifting environment.

As part of the celebration, the Atomium also releases the second season of its podcast Rénovation, featuring the voices of those who restored the monument back in 2006 — engineers, artists, and locals alike. Their stories bring a human touch to one of Belgium’s most ambitious cultural projects.

The festivities don’t stop there. Collaborations bring an extra sparkle: a whimsical day with the Smurfs, a partnership with Brussels jewelry designer Souris, and even a new outfit for Manneken Pis. Looking to the future, a partnership with ULB en VUB will offer a science weekend for young audiences, highlighting the place of women in research and innovation.

For locals, the celebration includes a special gesture: anyone born on February 18, 2006 — the day the Atomium reopened 20 years ago — gets free access all year long.

“More than just a monument, the Atomium remains a living symbol of Belgium’s creative spirit,” says Julie Almau Gonzalez, CEO of the Atomium. “This anniversary is a reminder that heritage is never static — it evolves, it connects, it inspires.”

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a Brussels regular, this year is the perfect moment to rediscover the Atomium — an emblem of openness, imagination, and collective pride.

🔗 Useful links:

Podcast Rénovation: Listen here

Official website: atomium.be

About the Atomium’s art program: Atomium exhibitions