A newcomer's guide to Brussels' Zuidfoor: free to enter, and built entirely to make you linger
For about a month each summer the Boulevard du Midi becomes one of Europe's biggest travelling funfairs. Entry is free and you pay per ride, which makes the Zuidfoor the easiest, most affordable and most quintessentially Brussels night out for anyone new to…
In 30 seconds
- The Zuidfoor / Foire du Midi is free to enter; visitors pay per attraction, so the cost of a visit is entirely up to the individual.
- It runs along the Boulevard du Midi / Zuidlaan between Brussels-South station (Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi) and the Hallepoort (Porte de Hal).
- It is organised by the City of Brussels and typically runs for about a month from mid-July into mid-August; exact dates vary by year and should be checked on brussels.be.
- It is reachable by train, metro (lines 2 and 6, stops Zuid and Hallepoort) and multiple trams and buses; driving and parking are strongly discouraged.
The Zuidfoor (French: Foire du Midi) is a large annual travelling funfair held in central Brussels along the Boulevard du Midi / Zuidlaan, the avenue running between Brussels-South railway station (Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi) and the Hallepoort (Porte de Hal). It is organised by the City of Brussels (Stad Brussel / Ville de Bruxelles), typically runs for around a month from mid-July into mid-August, and is free to enter, with visitors paying per attraction. It is one of the largest funfairs in Belgium and among the biggest travelling fairs in Europe, run by multi-generational fairground (foraine) families.
Background
The Zuidfoor dates to the late nineteenth century and is one of Belgium's oldest continuous funfairs, rooted in the Flemish and Brabant kermis tradition of temporary fairs that occupy public space and then disappear. Because it is run by the City of Brussels rather than a private promoter, it has retained its character as a public, city-owned summer event rather than a commercial theme park.
What to do
Entry is free and you pay per attraction, so budget by ride rather than admission; travel by train or metro to Brussels-South/Hallepoort rather than driving; bring some cash for smaller stalls; and try local specialities such as smoutebollen and caricoles. Check brussels.be for this year's exact dates before you go.
The Belgian angle
The fair transforms a central Brussels artery for about a month, closing the Boulevard du Midi to traffic, drawing large crowds to the South station district, and providing seasonal income for fairground operators and food vendors. It is a City of Brussels institution that shapes the summer rhythm of the Marolles/Midi quarter.
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- 26 Jul 2026
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- Retrieved by ODIN:
- 26 Jul 2026
- Publication date unavailable
- Retrieved by ODIN:
- 26 Jul 2026
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