Bright Festival 2025 - European route

The Brussels Festival of Lights guides you through two emblematic districts over 4 evenings, from 13 to 16 February: the Royal Quarter and the European Quarter.

Rediscover the city through some thirty poetic works created by artists from all over the world. This year's event promises a major spotlight on the theme of Europe and its values, to coincide with the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The fiftieth anniversary circuit features 11 works of art. The route runs for around 3km from the Parc du Cinquantenaire to the Place du Luxembourg.

Alongside these artistic installations, the festival is punctuated by a programme of guided tours, live entertainment and heritage lighting.

For this third edition, in collaboration with Access-i, only the circuits are being made accessible and certified. Museum evening events and guided tours are not included in the certification analysis.

Bright Festival is an immersive, artistic experience right in the heart of Europe's capital. Not to be missed!

Strong points

An information point is planned at the entrance to Parc du Cinquantenaire. It will provide information on all the site's facilities. If you have to wait a long time, priority access may be available.
A map and programme are available at the information point.
Information on accessibility is included on the general plan of the event.
A request is being made for reserved parking spaces in rue Wiertz and rue Belliard.
There are also PRM public parking spaces provided by the City of Brussels along the route. See attached maps.
Seating is available along the route: Parc Léopold, Parc du Cinquantenaire.
A team of stewards will be on hand to provide information throughout the festival.
These people will be clearly identifiable thanks to chasubles.
The route is entirely free of charge. There's no need to register.
You can start and finish the route wherever you like.

Points of attention

The event takes place in the public space, so it is dependent on the surface of the ground (irregular), and the relief of the site (many slopes).
The festival can be accessed by various means of public transport. Some of the routes from the bus stops are long and difficult.
The event takes place in the centre of Brussels: the site is open and you can go in and out freely
. The event is likely to attract a lot of people: if you're worried about crowds, come on a Thursday evening to avoid the crowds at weekends.
Please note: some signposts will be fixed to the Nadar barriers. Depending on how busy it is, you may not be able to see the arrows.

Strong points

An information point is planned at the entrance to Parc du Cinquantenaire. It will provide information on all the site's facilities. If you have to wait a long time, priority access may be available.
A map and programme are available at the information point.
A request is being made for reserved parking spaces in rue Wiertz and rue Belliard.
There will also be PRM parking spaces provided by the City of Brussels along the route (see technical images).
Outdoor walkways will be made easier by the installation of mats, a tread plate and a cable duct.
It is always possible to take an alternative route to avoid the stairs.
Signage will identify alternative routes.
A team of stewards will be on hand to provide information throughout the festival.
These people will be clearly identifiable thanks to pink chasubles.
Adapted toilets are available in a number of Brussels city-centre establishments. You can find this information at the following link: Toilets
Access to an adapted toilet is possible at the Art & History Museum.

Points of attention

The festival can be reached by various means of public transport. Some routes from bus stops are long and difficult.
The event is taking place in the public space, so it is dependent on the ground surfaces and the relief of the site: cobblestones, slopes of 6 to 12% in places (listed on the map), kerbs that are not lowered.
There will be several cable trays to supply the lighting installations.
The desks at the information points and the bars and foodtrucks will be too high. Staff will be made aware of this.
The Parc Léopold area has very steep slopes over long distances (15% over 300m).
To reach Parc du Cinquantenaire, Rue Belliard has a very steep gradient for 400m.
The Pavillon des Passions Humaines in the Parc du Cinquantenaire is not accessible (stairs at the entrance).
The grab rails in the washroom of the Musée Art et Histoire are too high.
Please note: some signposts will be fixed to the Nadar barriers. Depending on how busy it is, you may not be able to see the arrows.

Strong points

An information point is planned at the entrance to Parc du Cinquantenaire. It will provide information on all the site's facilities. If you have to wait a long time, priority access may be available.
A map and programme are available at the information point.
A request is being made for reserved parking spaces in rue Wiertz and rue Belliard.
There will also be PRM parking spaces provided by the City of Brussels along the route (see technical images).
Outdoor walkways will be made easier by the installation of mats, a tread plate and a cable duct.
It is always possible to take an alternative route to avoid the stairs.
Signage will identify alternative routes.
A team of stewards will be on hand to provide information throughout the festival.
These people will be clearly identifiable thanks to pink chasubles.
Adapted toilets are available in a number of Brussels city-centre establishments. You can find this information at the following link: Toilets
Access to an adapted toilet is possible at the Art & History Museum.

Points of attention

The event can be reached by various means of public transport. Some routes from bus stops are more difficult.
The event is taking place in the public space, so it is dependent on the ground surfaces and relief of the site: cobblestones, slopes of 6 to 12% in places, kerbs that are not lowered, etc.
Several cable trays will be present to power the lighting installations.
The route is approximately 3km from Parc du Cinquantenaire to Place du Luxembourg.
The Parc Léopold area has very steep slopes over long distances. It is possible to take the route via a staircase. The staircase has around 50 steps.
To reach Parc du Cinquantenaire, Rue Belliard slopes steeply for 400m.
There is no mobility equipment available at the information point.
The grab rails in the toilets at the Musée Art et Histoire are too high.
Please note: some signposts will be fixed to the Nadar barriers. Depending on how busy it is, you may not be able to see the arrows.

Strong points

A team of stewards will be on hand to provide information throughout the festival.
There will be an info point at the entrance to the Parc du Cinquantenaire. Here you can find out about all the facilities on site. If you have to wait a long time, priority access may be available.
It is always possible to take an alternative route to avoid the stairs.
Assistance dogs are welcome.
It is possible to follow natural guide lines (facades, kerbs). Natural guide lines may be interrupted depending on the different spaces.
A description of the works can be downloaded from the event website.

Points of attention

It will be very difficult for a blind person to find their way around the circuit on their own.
Not all the staircases are secured with paving stones.
None of the content is adapted for audio description.
All the installations are visual (projections, works to observe but not to touch, etc.)
The description of the installations is not provided in Braille.
There are likely to be obstacles along the façades (shopkeepers' tables, for example).

Strong points

An information point is planned at the entrance to Parc du Cinquantenaire. It will provide information on all the site's facilities. If you have to wait a long time, priority access may be available.
A description of the works is available on the event website.
The adapted map is indicated on the general map of the event.
A team of stewards will be on hand to provide information throughout the festival.
These people will be clearly identifiable thanks to pink chasubles.
Contrasting signage with pictograms to help you find your way around the site.
The route of the circuits will be identified by the coloured lights of the lampposts.
It is always possible to take an alternative route to avoid the stairs.
Any obstacles will be highlighted using contrasts (kerbs, steps, bollards, etc.).
Assistance dogs are welcome.

Points of attention

The event takes place in the public space, so it is dependent on uncomfortable floor coverings, the site's relief (numerous slopes) and the works in progress.
All the installations are visual (projections, works to observe but not to touch, etc.)
The event takes place in the dark. The detection of certain obstacles may complicate movement along the route.
The map of the circuit is not in relief.
The description of each installation is written on a totem pole.
Staircases are not secured with pedomark tiles.
The majority of staircases will be made safe with contrasting tiles.
The lighting on the stairs in Parc Léopold will be enhanced.
Obstacles are likely to be present along the façades (shopkeepers' tables, for example).
Please note: some signs will be fixed to the Nadar barriers. Depending on how busy it is, you may not be able to see the arrows.

Strong points

The event is essentially visual.
There will be an information point at the entrance to Parc du Cinquantenaire.
A description of the works is available on the event website.
An adapted map is provided on the general map of the event.
A team of stewards will be on hand to provide information throughout the festival.
These people will be clearly identifiable thanks to pink chasubles.
Signage with pictograms to help you find your way around the site.
The route of the circuits will be identified by the pink lampposts.
There will be 4g throughout the circuit.

Points of attention

There are no volunteers or staff who speak sign language.
Depending on the lighting at night, there may be areas of shadow or glare in which to communicate.
The works on display and the events are accompanied by background music. The background music helps to create an atmosphere, but does not affect understanding of the work.
The installations are described only in the traditional way on the website: there is no sign language interpretation and no content in FALC.
The description of each installation is written on a totem pole.
There are no immersive waistcoats to allow you to feel the rhythm of the music (which is very present on some installations).
Please note: some signs will be fixed to the Nadar barriers. Depending on how busy it is, you may not be able to see the arrows.

Strong points

The event is essentially visual.
There will be an information point at the entrance to the Parc du Cinquantenaire.
A team of stewards will be on hand to provide information throughout the festival.
These stewards will be clearly identifiable by their pink chasubles.
A description of the works is available on the event website.
A suitable map is provided on the general event map.
Signage with pictograms for easy orientation on the site.
The route of the circuits will be identified by the pink lampposts.
There is 4g throughout the circuit.

Points of attention

Depending on the lighting at night, there may be shadowy or dazzling areas in which to communicate.
The works on display and the events are accompanied by background music. The background music helps to create an atmosphere, but does not affect understanding of the work.
The description of each installation is written on a totem pole.
The installations are described only in the traditional way on the website: there is no sign language interpretation or content in FALC.
There are no induction loops at the info points, but it's not essential to go there for information. You can enjoy the route without going to the info points, or just go there to pick up the route map.
There are no immersive waistcoats so you can feel the rhythm of the music (which is very present on some installations).
Please note: some signposts will be fixed to the Nadar barriers. Depending on how busy it is, you may not be able to see the arrows.

Strong points

An information point is planned at the entrance to Parc du Cinquantenaire. It will provide information on all the site's facilities. If you have to wait a long time, priority access may be available.
A description of the works is available on the event website.
On request, the car park can be equipped with space for minibuses. Please contact the organisers.
A team of stewards will be on hand to provide information throughout the festival.
These people will be clearly identifiable thanks to pink chasubles.
Signage with pictograms to help you find your way around the site.
You don't need a written description of the facilities on the totems to enjoy the event.

Points of attention

The event takes place over 4 days, from 13 to 16 February. If you're worried about crowds, we recommend you come on Thursday evening.
The festival site is open, so you can come and go as you please.
The transition between the screenings and the ‘return to normal’ may be abrupt, from light to darkness.
The installations are not described in FALC (easy to read and understand).
The Horizon² work installed in the Royal Park could cause stroboscopic effects.
There are no immersive waistcoats to allow visitors to feel the rhythm of the music (which is very present on some installations).
Please note: some signs will be fixed to the Nadar barriers. Depending on how busy it is, you may not be able to see the arrows.