The city comes alive in the summer with an impressive mix of festivals – a list can be obtained from the tourist office. The KunstenFESTIVALdesarts in May is among the best contemporary performing arts fests (www.kunstenfestivaldesarts.be) and the Audi Jazz Festival (Oct-Nov, www.audijazz.be) is one of Europe’s biggest. Don’t miss the seasonal Christmas market and ice rink set up in the centre of town from early December (www.plaisirsdhiver.be).

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