A January Art Escape: BRAFA & Brussels
Curated by French artist Valérie Jolly. Now based in Lisbon after many years in Brussels, Valérie invites us into her personal cultural map of the city — a guide to what to see, where to linger, and how to experience Brussels during the week of BRAFA.
Looking for an inspiring art-led city escape at the beginning of the year?
January offers the perfect excuse to travel — and BRAFA, Brussels’ iconic art and antiques fair, is one of the first unmissable moments on the 2026 cultural calendar.
Running from 25 January to 1 February 2026 at Brussels Expo, BRAFA celebrates its 71st edition, reaffirming its status as one of Europe’s most prestigious fairs. With over 140 international exhibitors and nearly 15,000 works on display, it offers an extraordinary journey through 5,000 years of art history, spanning five continents.
From Old Masters to contemporary art, archaeology to design, tribal art to modern ceramics — BRAFA’s strength lies in its eclecticism and excellence. Each artwork is meticulously vetted by international experts prior to the opening, ensuring the highest curatorial standards.
What makes BRAFA especially compelling is its human scale. Despite the breadth of its offerings, the fair retains an intimate, elegant atmosphere — one that invites curiosity, conversation, and discovery.
Under one roof, you might encounter a 16th-century Italian Renaissance painting, a Jean Dubuffet, rare engravings by Picasso, contemporary design pieces, tribal art from Gabon, exquisite Art Deco jewellery, or even Baby Jane — a never-before-seen Triceratops skull. A true feast for both the eyes and the mind.
BRAFA
25 January – 1 February 2026
Brussels Expo
Beyond the Fair: What Else to See in Brussels
Ceramic Brussels (21–25 January)
The first international contemporary art fair dedicated exclusively to ceramics. With over 70 galleries and around 200 artists represented, this edition places a special focus on Spain. Renowned ceramic artist Elmar Trenkwalder is Guest of Honour, with a large monographic presentation greeting visitors at the entrance.
Boghossian Foundation — “FIRE”
Set within the magnificent Villa Empain, this exhibition brings together around fifty modern and contemporary artists exploring the theme of fire — as symbol, material, and experience. Across painting, sculpture, installation, video, tapestry, and photography, the exhibition reflects on fire’s enduring power across cultures and time.
WIELS Contemporary Art Centre — Nairy Baghramian: nameless
Housed in a former brewery, WIELS presents a major exhibition by internationally acclaimed artist Nairy Baghramian. Spanning multiple floors, nameless brings together previously unseen bodies of work in dialogue with the building’s post-industrial architecture.
BOZAR — John Baldessari: Parables, Fables, and Other Tall Tales
One of Brussels’ premier cultural institutions, BOZAR hosts the first major European survey of John Baldessari’s work since his passing in 2020. Featuring over 60 works across photography, painting, video, installation, and even wallpaper, many are shown in Europe for the first time.
CAB — Art & Language, 1965–2025
Presented in a striking Art Deco space, CAB explores the legacy of Art & Language, the conceptual art collective that reshaped artistic practice by placing language and ideas at its core. A thoughtful exhibition for those interested in minimal, conceptual, and experimental art.
Le Hangar Photo Art Center
A leading photography and contemporary art space, Le Hangar hosts two exhibitions:
– The Anonymous Project by Lee Shulman, an immersive installation preserving found Kodachrome slides from the last 70 years
– Family Stories, a group exhibition exploring family, identity, motherhood, grief, and reconciliation
Le Hangar also serves as a key venue for Photo Brussels Festival #10 (22 January – 22 February).
www.hangar.art www.photobrusselsfestival.com
A Few Classic Stops Worth Revisiting
- Horta Museum — The former home and studio of Victor Horta, pioneer of Art Nouveau
- Magritte Museum — Home to the world’s largest collection of René Magritte’s work
- “Dalí & Magritte” at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts — A rare dialogue between two surrealist masters
- Old Masters Museum — Spanning the 15th to the 18th centuries, with new display sections gradually extending into the 21st century
And of course, a stroll around Grand Place, the historic heart of Brussels, followed by a walk through the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, the first glazed shopping arcades in Europe.
Perhaps with a stop along the way for a warm waffle or a plate of moules-frites.
Enjoy!
Valérie Jolly