On the first day of every new year, watching the Vienna New Year’s Concert is a tradition that unites many people from all over Europe.

The annual event features a classical music concert performed by the Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein concert hall in Vienna, Austria.

The tradition lives on this year despite the coronavirus pandemic, but the show will have to go on without a live audience.

The Vienna Philharmonic will perform today under the baton of Italian conductor Riccardo Muti, music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

An 82-year-old tradition

The first Vienna New Year’s Concert was organised in 1939. The concert presents masterpieces by famous Austrian composers, most notably the Strauss family.

The highlights of the program include “The Blue Danube” by Johann Strauss II and the customary final encore “Radetzky March” by Johann Strauss I.

A different conductor leads the Vienna Philharmonic each year. Highly acclaimed conductors are chosen from different countries within and outside Europe.

The show is broadcast live in over 90 countries in Europe and around the world with an estimated 50 million viewers.

In Belgium, the Vienna New Year’s Concert will be aired on RTBF at 11:15 a.m today.

The post Vienna New Year’s Concert, a hallmark of European heritage appeared first on Brussels Express.

The City of Brussels will celebrate the new year without the traditional fireworks. Instead, a spectacular laser show will light up the city on new year’s eve.

Tonight, laser beams will zoom into the sky and form a web of lights that will connect houses and buildings in the city center and nearby neighborhoods.

The fireworks had to be cancelled this year due to the ongoing health crisis. The curfew is still at 10 p.m., but Brussels residents can watch the laser show online.

The light spectacle will be featured live on the Facebook page and website of the City of Brussels. It will be on from 11:15 to midnight.

The post Watch Party: Laser show in Brussels City tonight appeared first on Brussels Express.

Because of consumers’ concerns over the potential impact of air travel on the environment, many holidaymakers are opting to take the train to go abroad this year.

In response to this consumer demand, SNCB is offering an increased number of trains heading for the Belgian coast this summer, and will also be providing better access via rail to summer festivals across Belgium and major events such as the Tour de France. Moreover, the Interrail pass, which allows you to travel by train throughout Europe, is proving to be an even greater success than usual this year.

To find out more about SNCB’s full range of services during the holidays, please visit its official website.

In other news, the “Back on track” collective wants to restore night trains and thus enable passengers to enjoy this more environmentally-friendly means of long-distance travel. A petition has already gained more than 8,000 signatures, and the collective hopes to push this initiative all the way to the European level.

The post This summer an increasing number of holidaymakers are taking the train appeared first on Brussels Express.

This landmark eatery on the outskirts of the city will mark the Chinese New Year on Friday 1 February and Saturday 2 February with a special buffet with Kung Fu displays, a Chinese lions dance and, to round it all off, a spectacular firework display. The buffet, with a large selection of classic and very tasty Asian dishes (including a wonderful suckling pig, huitres, foie gras and crevettes) is a real bargain at just €49 per person. This includes starter, mains and desert. For a small extra charge you can make the occasion even more memorable with a bottle of champagne.

Cite du Dragon is, of course, great to visit at any time of the year (not just the Chinese New Year) and is particularly noted for its famous Peking duck, a real gourmets’ delight and a favourite from the imperial cuisine under the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Stories about the famous Peking duck go back even further, as far back as the Song Dynasty from 960-1279.

It owes its name to the colour of the duck’s skin, which reminds you of shiny varnished wood. Lightly crispy and caramel-coloured, the skin is considered as a delight and is served first with rice-flour crêpes, sticks of leeks and seafood sauce. Presented in a crunchy nest of noodles, the duck’ s meat is served second. You will finish the feast with a delicious soup made with the duck’s bones.

The restaurant in Uccle is huge but there’s expected to be massive demand among its army of customers so booking is required.The Chinese New Year 2019 or the Spring Festival (Lunar New Year) is celebrated every year according to the traditional Chinese Calendar.

In the Chinese astrology, each year is represented by an animal. 2019 is the Year of the Pig which is predicted to be a lucky year (the pig has also been celebrated in 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, and 2007). The pig has the last position in the zodiac, after the dog, and is said to be a representation of diligence, kindness, and generosity.

Cite du Dragon makes for a fitting place to celebrate this annual occasion. It is a real palace of Eastern gastronomy, in which the charms of a beautiful 1923 villa are enhanced by the magnificence and refinement of Asia.

Aside from its culinary splendours, it boasts a highly impressive aquatic garden, noted as among the most enchanting in Belgium. With impressive windows, original woodwork, wall paintings, rare antiquities, and an amazing aquarium which you can walk around, the restaurant effortlessly unites reminiscences of age-old imperial art with contemporary design.

The view of the garden is a fabulous voyage in itself: 3,000 square metres of luxuriant vegetation, concealed walkways and abundant fountains, and imposing marble statues dispersed between parasols and nature.

Over the years, its gastronomy has been strengthened by the owners’ quest for authenticity to which it remains devoted. As well as its original Cantonese cuisine, it has now added the expertise of a former head chef of the Chinese embassy. It many clients include business people and diplomats and, in addition to its traditional dishes, its chefs are able to meet the most demanding gourmets by designing personalised menus.

As well as the huge restaurant, it also comprises multipurpose rooms of various sizes which are able to accommodate various types events or groups (up to 250 persons) for a seminar, workshop, private lunch or prestigious dinner. The female owner first arrived in Belgium way back in 1969 and opened this restaurant in 1991 (her younger sister also runs a Chinese restaurant in Liege). It has grown steadily over the years to occupy the very impressive spot it now boasts in this very pleasant suburb of Brussels.

Eating at this place should really be reserved for a special occasion – like the Chinese New Year –  but, in all honesty, when the food, service and surroundings, complete with oriental antiques and painted murals, are so genuinely delightful as they are here, the temptation is not to wait too long before your next visit.

In its magnificent and extravagant setting, the reputation of the now-legendary « Dragon » shines as brightly as ever.If you’re looking for somewhere special to see in the Year of the Pig this fantastic restaurant is the place to be – you really want to « hog » the food at its New Year buffet!

Good to know:

• La Cite Du Dragon
• Address: Chaussee de Waterloo 1022-1024, Uccle 1180
• Contact: 02 375 8080

Ten things you didn’t know about Chinese New Year:

1. It is the longest Chinese holiday
2. Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival
3. It is a day for praying to the gods
4. The most fireworks in the world are set off in the world that night
5. Children receive lucky money in red envelopes
6. Chinese New Year deserts have special meanings.
7. The Chinese decorate everything red for Chinese New Year
8. Every year has a zodiac animal
9. You grow one year older on the Spring Festival
10. The New Year greeting in Chinese is « xin nian kuai le »

The post Top Asian eatery lines up a treat for the Year of the Pig appeared first on Brussels Express.

The post This is how Australia and New Zealand welcomed 2019 appeared first on Brussels Express.

But there is no need to worry as there are various transport possibilities to get you home safely in the beginning of the new year.

Around 450 drivers and also drivers of STIB will be on duty to bring party-people home.

Good news is that the network will be FREE between midnight and 5:30 am.

On the night of December 31st, the STIB extends the circulation of metro 1 and 5 until 2:00 am, and metro 2 to Heysel from 20:00.  The Roi Baudouin metro station will be closed from 18:00 to 8:00 am the next day due to the firework display at the Atomium.

All tram lines will also be extended until 2:00 in the morning for the new year, and all Noctis bus lines will run until 5:00 am (with the exception of line N18 which will be limited to stadium all night).

 

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La STIB vous souhaite de merveilleuses fêtes ! 🎅 La nuit du 31/12, la #STIB se mobilise pour que les Bruxellois puissent se déplacer facilement et en toute sécurité pour faire la fête. 🎉 L’ensemble du réseau de la STIB sera gratuit dès minuit, jusqu’au mardi 1er janvier à 05h30. 🎉 Toutes les lignes de métro seront renforcées dès 20h et leur exploitation sera prolongée jusqu’à 2h du matin. Dès 20h, les métros de la ligne 2 seront prolongés jusqu’au Heysel, afin d’amener les voyageurs jusqu’à l’esplanade de l’Atomium pour le feu d’artifice. 🎉 5 lignes de tram (3-4-7-51-93) verront leurs fréquences renforcées dès 20h et l’exploitation de l’ensemble des lignes de tram sera prolongée jusqu’à 2h. 🎉 Les 11 lignes de bus Noctis seront, elles, exploitées à partir de minuit jusqu’à 05h du matin. #stib #happynewyear #newyeareve #bobetfierdelêtre

A post shared by stibmivb (@stibmivb) on Dec 27, 2018 at 7:18am PST

The Responsible Young Drivers

The Responsible Young Drivers will also be available throughout the capital. During the night between midnight and 6:00 am, everyone can call 0902 / 69.669 (1 € per minute) to call a volunteer who could then bring you home.

Taxi

Taxi companies announced a reinforcement of their services during the night of December 31st. More information can be found on the Brussels Mobility website.

Other services such as Uber, VTC, Heetch and Blacklane are also available.

If you have drunk more than a few glasses, avoid driving your scooter or bicycle. The law prohibits drunk driving on any type of vehicle.

The post Some tips on how to return home safely after the New Year’s celebrations appeared first on Brussels Express.

Happy Brussels

Happy Brussels reveals all the right maps in terms of bars and unusual places to party and celebrate New Year’s. It also includes free entry to any screening you choose at the Galeries Cinema. To cap it all, the pass includes a visit to the Atomium, the must-see architectural giant, a symbol of Europe’s capital, as well as two exclusive exhibitions on the subject of music and clubbing.For party people who are curious to discover the capital’s buzzing night life, Happy Brussels offers a pass granting access to the unmissable after-dark events lined up for the 2019 new year.

FCKNYE Festival

This year again, for the 9th edition, some 12,000 festival-goers from all over Europe will be celebrating New Year’s Eve at the FCKNYE Festival! 35 international artists will perform on 4 stages, in the 10,000 m² space of Palais 12 (Brussels), Belgium’s biggest event room. Celebrate 2019 with music from dusk to dawn!

Hard Rock Cafe

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Hard Rock Cafe in Brussels, and enjoy a special 4 course meal, open bar and a DJ until 4 am. Book online for 2 up to 15 persons and enjoy the exclusivity of having a guaranteed reservation.

Casino VIAGE

Start New Year in style!

This year Casino Viage invites you to the Moulin Rouge! Let’s have a midnight countdown altogether before we’ll set the dancefloor on fire with our DJ that plays all your favorite hits from the retro years til nowadays.

L’Os à Moelle: The Sassy Cabaret – Special New Year

« The Sassy Cabaret » it’s a trip back in time, it is the meeting of different  artistic universes, it’s a real old-fashioned cabaret, a Berlin-style cabaret. It is also an atmosphere: a particular link made of sensuality, poetry, glamor and  humor with a hint of forbidden, which is created over the show between a public  amazed and artists transcended.

Wolubilis: Bibot distinguée – Only in French

After the success of Bibot Debout , his new stand-up makes us scream with laughter. Bibot, she’s like that. With her aristocratic manners and heavy truck driver’s lugs, she dexterously handles the consummate art of the discrepancy between the elegance of the packaging and the triviality of the subject. A detonating mix that makes it irresistible!

 

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About last night 🎆🎇🌌 My son was so amazed he dropped his hot chocolate 😅☕️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #minieurope #minieuropebynight #atomium #fireworks #brussels #brusselsfireworks #laeken #laekenbrussels #atomiumbrussels #фейерверк #салют #атомиум #миниевропа

A post shared by Brussels Sprout | Tania (@taniatoday) on Aug 12, 2018 at 1:12am PDT

Or you could always visit your favorite site and enjoy the firework display with your loved one.

The post 6 ideas on how to spend New Year’s in Brussels appeared first on Brussels Express.

The public will be able to enjoy the firework show from the Heysel plateau.  On this occasion, a final tribute will be payed to the 60th anniversary of the Atomium and Expo 58.

Starting from 21:30, a DJ will be playing hits, and at 22:30, the sky will be illuminated by the show « Pedaleando Hacia el Cielo »  Theater Tol.

The final countdown before the transition to the new year will be followed by the grandiose fireworks.  The party will continue with music until 1 am.

 

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About last night 🎆🎇🌌 My son was so amazed he dropped his hot chocolate 😅☕️ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #minieurope #minieuropebynight #atomium #fireworks #brussels #brusselsfireworks #laeken #laekenbrussels #atomiumbrussels #фейерверк #салют #атомиум #миниевропа

A post shared by Brussels Sprout | Tania (@taniatoday) on Aug 12, 2018 at 1:12am PDT

Last year, the firework show had been moved from Place de Brouckere to the Heysel plateau and the event attracted approximately 45,000 people.

The post Watch the fireworks on New Year’s Eve at the Atomium’s esplanade appeared first on Brussels Express.

Colruyt will be open Sunday and Monday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, as are most Okay and Bioplanet stores. Many Spar should also do the same on January 1st.

Carrefour supermarkets will be open to customers on December 30th and 31st, again with adapted schedules. In addition, nearly 200 to 250 Carrefour Express will be open on Tuesday.

Delhaize will be open from 9:00 to 18:00 on Sunday, and from 8:00 to 18:00 the next day.

A large portion of Lidl stores will open on Sunday, December 30th, from 9:00 to 17:00. As far as Match supermarkets are concerned, times vary from store to store for Sunday opening times.

The Cora hypermarkets will also be open exceptionally on Sunday: in Anderlecht and Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, the stores will open from 9:00 to 18:00, as well as on Monday, December 31 (from 8:30 in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert).

Aldi has made the choice to respect the usual holidays. The stores will remain closed on Sunday the 30th (and the 1st of January), but will be open on Monday the 31st.

The post Several supermarkets in Brussels will open exceptionally on Sunday 30th appeared first on Brussels Express.

Last year, the STIB network recorded 144,000 trips on New Year’s Eve, on its bus, tram and metro lines.

« In order to allow everyone to move without worry the night of New Year’s Eve. All subway lines will be reinforced from 20h and their operation will be extended until 2am. From 8 pm, the metro line 2 will be extended to Heysel, to bring travelers to the esplanade of the Atomium for the fireworks, » reported the transport company.

The frequency of tram lines 3-4-7-51-93 will be increased at 8 pm and the operation of all tram lines will be extended until 2 am.

For buses, the 11 Noctis lines will be operated from midnight until 5am.

Stations inaccessible for security reasons

For security reasons, « King Baudouin metro station will be closed, at the request of the police, from 18h, on December 31st, and until 08h on Tuesday January 1st. The terminus of tram 7 at Heysel will also be inaccessible from 18h and trams will be limited to the stop Centenaire. Bus lines 84 and 88 will be limited to Palfyn stop at 18h. The Noctis 18 bus line will be limited to the Stade stop. »

To watch the fireworks from the esplanade of the Atomium, it is suggested to go down to the Heysel and Houba-Brugmann stations.

Note: It will no longer be possible to get off at the Heysel station between 23:45 and midnight approximately (it will still be possible to board in the direction of the city center). It is suggested to get off at Houba-Brugmann station.

The post The STIB will offer free rides on New Year’s eve and until 5:30 am on January 1st appeared first on Brussels Express.