Paradise City schedules Brussels open-air event for storm-affected festivalgoers

Updated: 23 August 2026, 10:24 CEST — Paradise City will stage an open-air event at Place Noord beside Brussels-North station on Saturday 5 September, giving priority access to people whose festival evening in Steenokkerzeel was cut short by severe weather on 27 June, the organiser announced on 20 August.

BX1 reports that holders of Saturday, Weekend or Camping tickets will receive personal codes by email to claim admission. Each reservation requires a €15 contribution, but Paradise City says the entire amount will become drinks credit at the event. The measure is intended to discourage unused bookings and help organisers plan for the limited capacity.

According to the event listing published by Paradise City on Resident Advisor, the open air will run from 13:00 until 23:00 and feature Benwal, Conducta, Alycia Bezgo, Ava Eva and shoplifter. Benwal had been due to close the Castle Stage before the June programme stopped. Eligible ticket holders are being told to watch their email ahead of the priority claim period on Wednesday 26 August. Any remaining places will later be offered to the wider public as paid tickets, although Paradise City has not announced the capacity, general-sale price or release date.

The original festival site at Kasteel Ribaucourt closed at about 22:00 on 27 June after an orange weather warning and consultations with Steenokkerzeel’s mayor and safety coordinator, Paradise City said in its post-storm account. A powerful storm crossed the site around 01:30. The organiser reported that the main infrastructure was largely spared, while tents were damaged or flooded and some campers required emergency accommodation.

BRUZZ subsequently reported four minor injuries, including cuts and a broken foot, citing Mayor Kurt Ryon and VRT NWS. The festival reopened for its final day after an overnight safety assessment. Two days later, co-founder Gilles De Decker told The Brussels Times that the organisation intended to provide compensation but first needed to complete discussions with its insurer and other parties.

The September gathering turns that pledge into a replacement cultural event rather than a cash refund. BX1 quotes the organisers as saying the weather closure constituted force majeure and created no legal duty to compensate, while presenting the open air as recognition of the crowd’s calm response during the evacuation. For affected visitors, the next practical step is to check the email account linked to their original booking and review the claim conditions before the priority allocation opens.