Event Dates
From: Friday, September 26, 2025
To: Sunday, September 28, 2025
The Brussels Comic Strip Festival is an annual event celebrating the rich history and vibrant culture of comic books.
Belgium, and Brussels in particular, have been fertile ground for comic strips from the very beginning, so it’s entirely fitting that they dedicate a full weekend to the rich cultural heritage that is the “Ninth Art.”
- The Comic Strip Festival attracts thousands of visitors, so book your stay as early as possible as hotels in the centre can be difficult to find. Stay in the “Fabulous” rated Hotel Indigo Brussels, featuring stylish and spacious rooms, great location and high-rated breakfast options.
The Festival
- Next Edition: Friday 26th – Sunday 28th September, 2025.
- Since it began in 2010, the Brussels Comic Strip Festival has grown by leaps and bounds and acquired a reputation as a premier festival in the Ninth Art world. More than 100,000 people are now expected to attend each year as well as 250 renowned authors.
- Each year the Brussels Comic Strip Festival is the main event for all comic strip fans. Whether young or old, amateur or expert, tourist or Brussels local, merchant or buyer, there is something for everyone in the wide variety of activities on offer.
- Check out the best hotels to stay closest to the host venue.
The Venue
- The festival takes place at the Gare Maritime on the Tour & Taxis neighbourhood featuring a wide variety of activities that have made it famous: autographs, activities, conferences, workshops, exhibitions.
- This former freight station has recently undergone major renovations that restored much of its original architectural heritage while adapting the massive interior space for events, retail and office space.
- Stay close to the venue at the Yadoya Hotel, with spacious rooms and city views. The hotel is just 800m from Tours & Taxis.
Cartoon Characters
- Larger-than-life comic strip characters will be on display across the exhibition in the Tours and Taxi’s neighbourhood. These awesome displays provide the perfect backdrop for the ultimate selfie!
Recommended Hotels
The following hotels are are close to the centre of Brussels and a 15-minute ride to the Cartoon Festival.
Brussels is a very busy city & fills fast.
Book early and save more money.
The HOTEL Brussels is one of our favourite
hotels in the city offering stunning views
For further information and advice on
Brussels Comic Strip Festival, Website
Most of the gay bars in Brussels are located in the city centre around the streets Rue du Marché au Charbon. We have found good hotels close to the gay area keeping you in the middle of all the fun.
Rue Duquesnoy 51000 Brussels, Belgium
This luxurious hotel in the
of Brussels is a 2-minute walk from the Grand-Place and . It features free access to the fitness centre and sauna. A brand newly installed air conditioning system is now fully operational for your satisfaction and comfort.The
offers modern rooms with a flat-screen TV, free internet and a marble bathroom. Guests can enjoy an American every morning in the salonRue de l'Amigo 1-31000 Brussels, Belgium
The 5-star Hotel Amigo boasts elegant rooms with designer features, on the corner of
Place. It combines modern facilities, a gym and an award-winning restaurant with a picturesque historic setting.Flat-screen interactive cable TV, a work desk and a minibar stocked with drinks and Galler chocolates are provided in the rooms at Rocco Forte Hotel Amigo. Each air-conditioned room has a seating area and a luxurious bathroom with mosaic details.
Rue August Orts 3-71000 Brussels,
Set within a 5-minute walk from Grand Place and Manneken Pis, and a 10-minute walk from
Train Station, Marriott Hotel offers air-conditioned rooms and a fitness centre. There is an open-kitchen restaurant and private parking facilities are available.Rooms at the Brussels Marriott Hotel are equipped with satellite TV, coffee and tea making facilities and a private bathroom with a bathtub.
Rue des Eperonniers 3, 1000 Brussel centrum, Belgium
Opening in April 2016, Hotel Agora Brussels Grand Placer is housed in a historical Brussels building dating from 1696, 220 m from The King's House in the Grand Place.
Hotel Agora Brussels Grand Place features free WiFi throughout the property. Rooms feature triple glazing to ensure tranquillity.
Rue Royale 120, 1000 Bruxelles,
Motel One
is in Brussels, a away from the Grand-Place, the Manneken Pis Statue, the Rue Neuve Shopping District and Brussels-Central . is available throughout the entire accommodation.The rooms are soundproofed and comprise a flat-screen TV. The en-suite bathrooms come with a shower, a hairdryer, a toilet and bath linens. All rooms are equipped with a centralized air cooling system.
Impasse des Boeufs 5, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
The apartment features 1 bedroom, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, and 1 bathroom with a shower. A patio and free WiFi. The apartment can sleep up to 7 Guests
Rue d'Arenberg 52, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
The apartments is conveniently located in the heart of Brussels, and all major tourist attractions, offering a living room with a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with a dining area, and a private bathroom. Free WiFi. Sleeps 6 Guests
Boulevard Anspach 60, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Each apartment has a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, a seating area with a sofa, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with shower. An oven, a stovetop and toaster are also available, as well as a kettle and a coffee machine. sleeps 8 Guests
Rue Grétry 32, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Each spacious and stylishly decorated apartment offers a fully equipped kitchen, a flat-screen TV, a living room with a sofa bed, a private bathroom and a washing machine. You cannot be better located! Free WiFi. Sleeps 6 Guests
106 Rue du Marché au Charbon (Kolenmarkt)
● A spacious gay sauna spread over several floors, including a basement and a roof terrace. ● It's conveniently located near the gay bars in the center of Brussels and is particularly popular on Sundays. ● The crowd is mixed in age.
● Admission: 15-25 €
Monday-Thursday: 12:00 – 24:00 Friday 12:00 – Sunday 24:00 nonstop
10 Rue Van Orley (Van Orleystraat) Brussels 1000
● Description: This older gay sauna is located at the edge of the city center. ● While the wet area is well-maintained, other parts of the sauna might seem a bit dated or tacky.
● Despite this, it enjoys good patronage, mainly from mature clients and bears.
● Admission: 23-28 €
Daily: 11:30 – 22:00
90 Rue Marché au Charbon (Kolenmarkt), Brussels 1000
● Stylish, LGBT-friendly café and wine bar
● Cozy bistro with a spacious street terrace
● Located in the heart of Brussels
Wednesday-Sunday ~ 12:00 – 24:00
41 Rue Marché au Charbon (Kolenmarkt), Brussels 1000
● Charming gay-friendly brasserie and restaurant
● Features a lovely terrace on the lively Rue Marché au Charbon
● Serves lunch and dinner with a traditional touch
Daily from 11:00, Lunch from 12:00 to 14:45, Dinner from 18:00 to 22:00
25 Rue du Marché au Charbon (Kolenmarkt), Brussels 1000
● LGBTQ-friendly bar with a 1920s vibe.
● Located on Brussels' gay street.
Thursday 18:00 – 23:00; Friday, Saturday 18:00 – 02:00 Sunday 18:00 – 23:00
53 Rue du Marché au Charbon (Kolenmarkt), Brussels 1000
● Small, gay-friendly cabaret bar.
● Features burlesque and "boylesque" shows.
● Mixed clientele; admission from 10 €.
Thursday 21:00 – 02:00; Friday, Saturday 21:00 – 03:00
94 Rue Marché au Charbon (Kolenmarkt), Brussels 1000
● Offers a small street terrace.
● Serves Irish and Belgian beers.
● Welcomes wolves and otters.
Thursday-Monday from 15:00
7 Rue des Grands Carmes (Lievevrouwbroersstraat), Brussels 1000
● Music bar with drag shows.
● Fresh and lively atmosphere.
● Mixed clientele that turns more gay as the night progresses.
● Special cabaret show on the first Friday of each month.
Friday, Saturday from 21:30 (1st Friday of the month from 24:00); Special show on the first Friday of the month 19:30 – 23:30 (by reservation only)
40 Rue du Marché au Charbon (Kolenmarkt), Brussels 1000
● Small, cozy bar.
● Attracts a more mature clientele.
Daily 16:00/17:00 – 01:00/03:00
5 Rue Marché au Charbon (Kolenmarkt), Brussels 1000
● Small queer cafe-bar in central Brussels.
● Run by the fetish store Spit It Out.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 14:00 – 23:00; Friday Saturday 14:00 – 24:00; Sunday 14:00 – 23:00
52 Rue des Pierres (Steenstraat), Brussels 1000
● Large cocktail bar with Indian decor.
● Features drag shows and karaoke.
● Mixed clientele.
Wednesday 19:00 – 24:00; Thursday 19:00 – 02:00 Friday, Saturday 19:00 – 05:00; Sunday 19:00 – 24:00
2A Petite Rue au Beurre (Korte Boterstraat), Brussels 1000
● Rustic bar near the Grand Place.
● Known as the oldest gay bar in Brussels.
● Popular among fun-loving forty-somethings.
Daily except Wednesday 14:00 – 23:00
44 Rue du Marché au Charbon (Kolenmarkt), Brussels 1000
● Rustic gay bar in central Brussels.
● Bear-friendly atmosphere.
Daily except Tuesday 16:00 – 01:00/03:00
32 Rue du Marché au Charbon (Kolenmarkt), Brussels 1000
● Probably the busiest gay bar in Brussels.
● Features live DJs on weekends.
● A classic pre-club spot that stays trendy.
Wednesday, Thursday 18:00 – 01:00; Friday, Saturday 18:00 – 03:00;
Sunday 18:00 – 01:00
Rue du Lombard 2, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
● Gay Bar with a friendly atmosphere ● Cocktails and a nice Terrace in the sun
Daily 4:00 PM - 1:00 AM Friday Saturday 4:00 PM - 2:30 AM
27 Rue du Marché au Charbon (Kolenmarkt), Brussels 1000
● Friendly, cozy bears bar located in Brussels' vibrant gay street.
● Perfect spot to unwind and enjoy a welcoming atmosphere.
Tuesday-Thursday: 17:00 – 01:00 Friday, Saturday: 17:00 – 03:00 Sunday: 17:00 – 01:00 (In summer, open from 16:00)
Plattesteen 18/20, Brussels
● Queer-inclusive bar right in the heart of Brussels.
● A lively spot to enjoy good times with friends.
Wednesday, Thursday: 18:00 – 01:00 Friday, Saturday: 17:00 – 04:00 Sunday: 18:00 – 01:00
45 Rue des Pierres1000 Brussels, Belgium
● Gay Karaoke bar ● Cocktails, Belgian Beers, Champagne
Daily 6:00 PM - 2:00 AM, Friday Saturday 6:00 PM - 5:00 AM
114 Rue du Marché au Charbon (Kolenmarkt), Brussels 1000
● Modern gay cruise bar in the heart of Brussels
● Welcoming to a diverse age group
Monday-Thursday: 21:00 – 03:00 Friday-Saturday: 21:00 – 05:00 Sunday: 15:00 – 22:00
208 Rue Blaes (Blaesstraat), Brussels 1000
● One of Europe's top gay parties.
● Attracts partygoers from across Europe including Paris, Cologne, Amsterdam, and London.
● Features 3 levels with 4 bars and 2 big dancefloors.
● Held on irregular dates, typically Fridays or the night before a Belgian public holiday.
Take a look at the website for next party date
52 Rue des Chartreux / Kartuizerstraat, Brussels 1000
● A queer-inclusive dance club in the heart of Brussels.
● Hosts various themed parties such as HAUS, Toy Boy (by H.I.M, Antwerp), and Starboy.
● Admission from 15 € includes one drink
Saturdays from 23:30
Pl. de la Chapelle 6, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
● Cave is a party concept in Brussels for electronic music lovers, LGBT & friends giving you our best selection of locals and international DJs
Take a look at the website for the next party date
18 Rue Duquesnoy (Duquesnoystraat), Brussels 1000
● Weekly gay party held @ You Night Club
● Mixed clientele creating a vibrant atmosphere.
● Admission 13 € includes one drink.
Sundays from 22:00 – 05:00
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in Brussels that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
Brussels Comic Strip Festival 2018
Brussels, the capital of Belgium and a hub for European institutions, has a thriving LGBTQ+ community and is known for being an inclusive and LGBTQ+-friendly city.
Home to several LGBTQ+-friendly establishments, including bars, cafes, and clubs. It’s known for its lively.
The heart of Brussels with its stunning architecture, often the hub of events, festivals, and markets.