Firefly Sessions

A few nights a year, on the edge of Brussels, fireflies light up the Sonian Forest. It’s a quiet, fascinating, fleeting display, visible for just a few weeks at the start of summer. Muziekpublique invites you in with the Firefly Sessions: a musical walk through the forest, scored by traditional music.

Musician and biologist Raphaël De Cock, Belgium’s foremost firefly expert, will lead the walk, sharing what he knows better than anyone here. Why do fireflies glow? How do they communicate? Why are they so fragile? Whatever your question, Raphaël probably has the answer. Along the way, he and a surprise guest will pause for quiet musical interludes and the walk ends as night falls, right when the first fireflies appear. Part intimate concert, part forest ramble, part encounter with the living world, the Firefly Sessions are a suspended moment, as close to nature as it gets.

Practical info

• A loop of roughly 4 km on foot, along forest paths. The route is not accessible to people with reduced mobility, or to bikes or strollers.
• Group departure at 8:15PM sharp. To keep things running smoothly, we can’t wait for latecomers. Expected to wrap up around 11:30PM.
• The starting point is in Watermael-Boitsfort. The exact meeting address will be emailed to you the week before the event.
• You’ll be sitting on the ground during the musical moments, bring a cushion, a blanket, or a thin mat.
• Sturdy closed shoes are essential (the ground can be damp or uneven). Pack a waterproof layer too, in case of light rain or a chill.
• No toilets along the route.

If the weather makes the walk impossible, we’ll cancel and let you know by email before 6PM that day, so check your inbox before heading out. This activity takes place in a sensitive natural environment. Please respect the quiet, the darkness and the fragility of the site, so that the conditions for observing the fireflies are preserved.

Booking – Ticket sales opens on May 15 at 12:00

Pick the date that works for you below and follow the instructions. Your ticket will be sent by email, please bring it with you on the night, printed or on your phone.

With the support of the National Lottery