Brussels is set to host the ninth edition of the Brussels Art Nouveau Art Deco Festival (BANAD) this March, offering locals and visitors a rare chance to explore some of the city’s most exquisite architectural treasures.
Running over three weekends from March 15 to March 30, the festival provides access to buildings that are usually closed to the public, with a particular focus on celebrating the 100th anniversary of Art Deco.
The festival spans various districts in the Belgian capital, dividing the event into three geographical zones: northwest, south, and northeast.
With more than 60 buildings opening their doors, the programme features a mix of townhouses, private residences, office buildings, apartments, museums, places of worship, town halls, and former production units.
Celebrating 100 Years of Art Deco
Organisers have dedicated this year’s edition to honouring the centenary of Art Deco, a movement that originated from the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris.
The festival’s programme comprises 60% Art Deco buildings, 25% Art Nouveau structures, and 15% modernist architecture.
Notable among the new additions this year are the Averbouch house, designed in 1929 by architect Joseph Diongre; the circular Van Eycken house in Schaerbeek, constructed in 1933 for André Van Eycken; and the Slagmolder house in Laeken, a prime example of inter-war bourgeois architecture. These buildings have never before been accessible to the public through BANAD.
In addition to these newcomers, the festival will also feature tours of renowned landmarks such as the Solvay, Tassel, and Max Hallet hotels, the Saint-Cyr house, Villa Empain, and the Forest town hall.
Immersive Guided Tours and Activities
Visitors will have the opportunity to take part in professionally guided tours, offered in multiple languages, to gain deeper insights into the architectural significance and history of the showcased buildings.
Many of these tours are also designed to accommodate individuals with impaired vision, hearing, or limited mobility. Beyond building tours, the festival includes thematic walking and cycling excursions, insightful lectures, family-friendly activities, and special exhibitions.
Highlights include the famed Object Fair, featuring unique Art Deco and Art Nouveau items, and the Salon of Restorers and Experts, where specialists share their knowledge on conservation techniques.
Exploring the City’s Architectural Heritage
Each weekend of the festival will spotlight different districts of Brussels. The opening weekend (March 15-16) will focus on Art Deco buildings in Anderlecht, Jette, Koekelberg, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Laeken, and central Brussels.
The following weekend (March 22-23) will shift attention to Etterbeek, Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Schaerbeek, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, and Brussels.
Finally, during the last weekend (March 29-30), visitors can explore sites in Forest, Ixelles, Saint-Gilles, Uccle, and Brussels.
With Brussels dedicating the entire year to Art Deco in honour of its centenary, the BANAD Festival 2025 promises to be a landmark celebration, bringing architectural history to life for enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
