Brussels International Guitar Festival & Competitions

We welcome you to the 15^th anniversary edition, dedicated to « Dreams » , of the Brussels International Guitar Festival & Competitions, the not-to-be missed and eagerly awaited event in the capital of Europe for music fans and aficionados of the guitar.

The only one of its kind, « the Brussels guitar fiesta » attracts a large crowd and over the years has established itself as one of the major festivals in Europe.

The splendid Hay Doun Cultural Center and the Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles will host concerts, master classes, a lecture, an exhibition as well as the public final rounds of the national competition, the international competition and the composition competition.

Classical, jazzy, Spanish, Latin American, modern music… The many facets of the world's most played instrument will be showcased thanks to a rich and varied programme : solo guitar, duo, ensemble, guitar with orchestra, accordion, violin, flute, percussion…

Always seeking new experiences, the festival offers the public the chance to attend several Belgian premieres and listen to big names in guitar music from various countries (Belgium, Spain, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, China…) as well as young artists on the verge of a promising career, for whom the festival serves as a launch pad.

The 2026 selection, via a new exhibition, pays tribute to the Masters Ilse & Nicolas Alfonso, who opened the first guitar classes in the Belgian Music Academies as well as the guitar class at the Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles in 1965, thereby becoming the founders of the Belgian Guitar School.

The festival is also dedicating one evening to Jean Baily (1937-2026), Composer, Honorary Director of the Conservatoire royal de Bruxelles and founder of its Jazz department, and another to the Belgian concert guitarist Christine Goffinet (1952-2026).

Open to everyone, whether just curious or confirmed music lovers, this exceptional edition will be more than ever full of joy, emotions, discoveries and conviviality…