Brussels Flower Carpet 2028 – Floral Belgium

What to expect in 2028

Brussels Flower Carpet 2028 will transform the historic Grand-Place in central Brussels into a vast temporary floral artwork, continuing one of Belgium’s most distinctive traditions of ephemeral art. The event is held every two years, with the giant carpet covering much of the square and remaining on display for only a few days. Visitors can admire the composition from ground level and, when the viewing programme is operating, from the balcony of Brussels City Hall for a panoramic perspective.

The 2028 design, artistic theme, featured designer and detailed programme have not yet been announced. Each edition develops its own visual identity, with themes previously inspired by countries, cultural traditions, major commemorations, Brussels heritage and contemporary artistic ideas. The organisers work with professional illustrators, graphic designers and landscape specialists before translating the chosen design into a full-scale floral composition.

The finished carpet is expected to continue the event’s combination of floral art, architecture, heritage, music and evening illumination. The Grand-Place itself remains the central attraction, while associated viewing experiences and special floral installations may add further opportunities to experience the event.

Event dates

August 2028 (Dates TBD)

The official 2028 calendar has not yet been published. The Brussels Flower Carpet traditionally takes place every two years around the August holiday period and remains visible for approximately four days. Visitors should check the official Flower Carpet website for the confirmed opening period, viewing hours, sound-and-light programme and ticket release once the 2028 programme is announced.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venue & exhibition site

Grand-Place, Brussels

The principal exhibition site is the Grand-Place in the historic centre of Brussels. The square is surrounded by ornate guild houses, the Brussels City Hall and other important architectural landmarks, creating a dramatic setting for the floral installation.

The Flower Carpet traditionally covers approximately 1,680 square metres and measures around 70 metres by 24 metres. The composition can contain hundreds of thousands of flowers and other natural materials, depending on the artistic concept selected for the edition. Recent carpets have increasingly used dahlias alongside grass and bark as Belgian begonia production has become more limited.

The Brussels City Hall balcony provides an elevated viewpoint over the complete composition. This perspective allows visitors to see the overall geometry, colour relationships and central motifs that can be difficult to appreciate from street level.

Full exhibition programme

The 2028 programme is expected to centre on the main floral installation and its associated visitor experiences rather than a conventional indoor art exhibition.

Key programme elements are expected to include:

• Main Flower Carpet: The large-scale floral artwork covering the Grand-Place.
• Ground-level viewing: Free public access around the Grand-Place.
• City Hall panoramic viewing: A paid elevated viewing experience when officially offered.
• Evening atmosphere: Sound-and-light presentations have traditionally accompanied the carpet during the evenings.
• Floral art activities: Depending on the final programme, additional floral demonstrations or related installations may be presented.
• Cultural interpretation: Information about the design, flowers, artistic concept and Belgian floral heritage.
• Photography opportunities: The Grand-Place provides extensive viewpoints for photographing the composition and surrounding architecture.

The exact 2028 programme will depend on the selected artistic concept and any international or cultural partnership announced by the organisers.

Featured artists & designers

The principal 2028 artist or designer has not yet been announced. The Flower Carpet has a long tradition of working with professional artists and designers whose concepts are subsequently transformed into large-scale floral compositions.

Recent editions demonstrate the variety of approaches possible. A contemporary Belgian street artist created the floral design for a previous edition, using plant structures and interconnected lines as a metaphor for Brussels. Another recent edition was based on a Japanese artistic concept, with a contemporary Japanese artist reinterpreting a famous historic image for the floral format.

The creative process begins well before installation. A professional committee develops the concept, prepares a scale model, determines colour combinations and calculates the quantities of flowers required. The final design is then transferred onto a large-scale template on the Grand-Place before the volunteers begin assembling the artwork.

Galleries & exhibitors

Brussels Flower Carpet is not a conventional trade exhibition, so visitors should not expect rows of commercial galleries or standard exhibition booths. The main artwork itself is the exhibition, with the historic Grand-Place serving as its open-air gallery.

The organisers may collaborate with floral artists, growers, cultural organisations, designers and international partners depending on the chosen theme. Previous editions have incorporated additional floral creations and related artistic displays alongside the main carpet.

Belgian flower growers are particularly important to the event. The organisers have emphasised the use of locally grown flowers, supporting Belgian horticultural expertise while reducing reliance on imported floral materials.

Exhibition halls & sections

There are no conventional exhibition halls for the main Flower Carpet. The experience is organised around several viewing and activity zones:

• Grand-Place floral installation: The main Flower Carpet and its detailed motifs.
• City Hall balcony: Elevated panoramic viewing of the complete design.
• City Hall interior areas: Additional floral or cultural presentations may be included when announced.
• Surrounding Grand-Place: Ground-level viewing, photography and architectural sightseeing.
• Associated city installations: Future editions may introduce additional floral works elsewhere in Brussels, depending on the programme.

The arrangement can change from one edition to another. Visitors should therefore consult the official programme before travelling if they want to see additional installations beyond the main carpet.

Talks, workshops & special events

The Flower Carpet is primarily a visual art experience, but its preparation and presentation can involve educational and cultural activities. Depending on the final 2028 programme, visitors may encounter explanations of floral design, demonstrations, artistic presentations or activities connected with the theme of the carpet.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the event is the construction process itself. More than one hundred volunteers have traditionally participated in assembling the giant floral puzzle within a remarkably short period. The flowers are arranged extremely closely together, while grass and bark are used to create additional textures and colour fields.

Evening sound-and-light presentations are another recurring feature. These presentations add music, illumination and changing visual effects to the floral artwork and the surrounding historic architecture.

Ticket types

The main Grand-Place viewing area is traditionally free of charge, meaning visitors can admire the Flower Carpet without purchasing a general admission ticket. The paid element is normally the elevated viewing experience from Brussels City Hall.

Because 2028 ticket prices have not yet been announced, the following historical prices can be used as a reference:

• Grand-Place ground-level access: Free
• City Hall balcony advance ticket: approximately $9.19
• City Hall balcony on-site ticket: approximately $10.34
• Children under 10: Free for the historical balcony programme
• Group balcony admission: approximately $9.19 per person, based on the previous group rate

These historical amounts are calculated from the previous edition’s published prices using an exchange rate of approximately $1.149 per €1. The actual 2028 prices may be different.

VIP & collector access

A separate VIP ticket category or collector programme for 2028 has not been announced. The main premium viewing experience is traditionally the City Hall balcony, which provides a high-level view of the entire floral composition.

For photography enthusiasts, art lovers and collectors, the balcony is particularly useful because the complete design becomes visible from above. From street level, visitors see individual sections and details, while the elevated viewpoint reveals the full composition.

Special access, press opportunities, guided visits or hospitality packages may be introduced if the organisers create them for the 2028 edition. These should only be considered confirmed once published by the official organisers.

Event rules

Visitors should follow the event’s official instructions, crowd-management measures and City Hall access requirements. The Flower Carpet is a fragile temporary artwork, so visitors should remain within designated public viewing areas and avoid touching or entering the floral composition.

Photography is generally an important part of the visitor experience, but professional filming, commercial photography, tripods or other equipment may be subject to venue restrictions.

For balcony visits, visitors should respect their allocated admission arrangements and follow instructions from event staff. Large crowds can gather around the Grand-Place, particularly during evening presentations, so comfortable footwear and awareness of personal belongings are recommended.

How to get there

Brussels Flower Carpet is located at the Grand-Place in the historic centre of Brussels, making it easy to reach from major railway stations and public transport connections.

Brussels Central Station is particularly convenient because the Grand-Place is within walking distance. Visitors arriving by international or domestic train can continue into the historic centre on foot or connect with the city’s public transport network.

Brussels Airport is the main international gateway for visitors flying into the city. From the airport, travellers can use the railway connection to central Brussels before continuing towards the Grand-Place.

Because the event takes place in the pedestrian-friendly historic centre, walking is often one of the easiest ways to reach the final venue after arriving in central Brussels.

Public transport & parking

Public transport is recommended because the Grand-Place is in the central historic area and event periods can bring significant pedestrian traffic.

Useful public transport options include:

• Metro: Lines 1 and 5 provide access via De Brouckère, followed by a walk towards the Grand-Place.
• Tram: Lines 92 and 93 provide access via the Royale area.
• Bus: Routes including 33, 48 and 95 serve stops close to the Grand-Place.
• Train: Brussels Central is a convenient railway station for reaching the event on foot.

Visitors who need to drive can use central Brussels parking facilities rather than attempting to park directly beside the Grand-Place. Parking options listed for the area include Écuyer, Grand-Place, Monnaie and Albertina-Square. Availability can become limited during major event periods.

Accommodation areas

Staying in central Brussels provides the easiest access to the Flower Carpet and allows visitors to experience the historic centre without relying heavily on transport.

Grand-Place and city centre: Ideal for visitors who want to stay within walking distance of the installation, restaurants and historic attractions.

Sainte-Catherine: A lively central district with restaurants, cafés and easy access to the old town.

Sablon: Suitable for visitors interested in galleries, antiques, architecture and an elegant historic atmosphere.

European Quarter: A practical choice for travellers who prefer modern hotels and strong public transport connections.

Brussels Central and nearby districts: Convenient for railway travellers and visitors planning day trips elsewhere in Belgium.

Food & refreshments

The Grand-Place is surrounded by cafés, restaurants, chocolate shops, bakeries and Belgian beer venues, making it easy to combine the Flower Carpet with a wider Brussels food experience.

Visitors can look for Belgian specialities such as:

• Belgian waffles
• Chocolate and pralines
• Fries with traditional sauces
• Moules-frites
• Belgian meatballs
• Stoemp and other Belgian comfort foods
• Speculoos biscuits
• Local cheeses
• Belgian beers
• Coffee and pastries

For the busiest viewing periods, it is sensible to eat before or after peak crowds rather than relying on finding a restaurant immediately beside the Grand-Place.

Accessibility

The central location makes the Flower Carpet relatively accessible by public transport, although visitors should remember that the Grand-Place is a historic cobbled square and can become very crowded.

The official accessibility information lists nearby public transport connections and parking facilities. Metro, tram and bus stops are located within walking distance of the square, although the distance and surface conditions should be considered by visitors with limited mobility.

Visitors requiring step-free access to the City Hall balcony or another specific viewing area should confirm arrangements with the organisers before travelling, particularly because temporary event infrastructure can change between editions.

Must-see exhibitions

The main Flower Carpet: The centrepiece of the event is the giant floral artwork itself. Its colours, motifs and overall design can only be experienced in their complete form while the installation is on the Grand-Place.

City Hall balcony view: The elevated viewpoint is particularly important because it allows visitors to understand the complete composition rather than seeing only individual sections from street level.

Evening sound-and-light experience: When included in the 2028 programme, the illuminated evening presentation provides a different atmosphere from daytime viewing and combines the floral artwork with the architecture of the Grand-Place.

Grand-Place architecture: The surrounding Gothic, Baroque and historic guild-house architecture forms an important part of the experience. The square itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making the Flower Carpet an artistic installation within one of Brussels’ most significant heritage settings.

Previous year’s highlights

The previous edition continued the event’s tradition of combining international cultural themes with contemporary floral design. Japan was placed at the centre of the artistic concept, with a contemporary reinterpretation of a famous Japanese artwork transformed into a giant floral composition. The carpet covered approximately 1,680 square metres and used more than 700,000 flowers grown in Belgium and near the Dutch border.

The edition also demonstrated how the organisers have moved beyond the historical reliance on begonias. Dahlias have become increasingly important because of their availability and suitability for large-scale floral compositions. Belgian-grown flowers remain an important part of the event’s identity.

Another notable feature was the continued combination of daytime viewing and evening sound-and-light presentations. The Grand-Place remained freely accessible, while visitors could purchase balcony access for an elevated view of the artwork.

Earlier editions have shown how dramatically the artistic style can change from one event to another. Contemporary street art, Art Nouveau, Japanese motifs, European symbolism, historic decorative patterns and other cultural references have all influenced previous carpets. This changing creative direction is one of the main reasons the event remains different with every edition.

Official tickets

The official 2028 ticket shop has not yet been announced. Visitors should use the official Brussels Flower Carpet website for confirmed ticket information when sales open.

Based on the previous edition, the Grand-Place itself is expected to remain freely accessible, while the City Hall balcony may require a separate ticket. Historical balcony admission was approximately $9.19 in advance and $10.34 on site, with free access for children under 10 under the previous pricing structure.

For official programme announcements and ticket information, visit the Brussels Flower Carpet official website (https://www.flowercarpet.brussels/). The organiser’s contact email is info@flowercarpet.be.