Belgium Music School Tours
A music tour to Belgium offers groups the opportunity to perform in welcoming and varied settings across cities such as Brussels and Bruges. With a mix of churches and cathedrals, market squares and bandstands, students can perform in front of appreciative audiences, helping to build confidence and develop their skills.
At the centre of every NST music tour is a programme of pre‑organised performances, giving groups the chance to experience performing away from home. Alongside this, students can discover Belgium's local culture, compact cities and inspiring architecture to further inspiration to their time on tour.
Prices start from £575pp
Is Belgium a good choice for a group’s first music tour?
Yes, Belgium is particularly well suited to first-time music tours. Its welcoming audiences and varied performance settings help students build confidence, while the short travel distance and manageable itinerary make it easier to plan and run a successful first experience.
How easy is it to travel between performance locations in Belgium?
Belgium’s compact size makes it easy to travel between cities such as Brussels and Bruges, often by coach. This allows groups to experience a variety of venues without long journeys, keeping the focus on performances and group experience.
What kind of audiences can we expect on a music tour to Belgium?
Groups typically perform to a mix of local residents and visitors in public and community settings. These audiences are often relaxed and appreciative, making it an ideal environment for students to gain confidence and perform with greater enjoyment.
Price includes
- 3 nights’ full board accommodation staying at NST’s Château d’Ebblinghem
- Executive coach transport from & to school & throughout your stay
- Organisation & publicity of 3 concerts
- Services of your own Group Co-ordinator (Groupie)
- Organised evening activities
- Extensive group travel insurance
- Generous free place ratio of 1 in 8
Price shown is based on 40 paying passengers departing from England and Wales and is subject to availability.
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Top performance venues
Last Post Ceremony, Ypres
Choirs and bands can perform two hymns alongside the British and Belgian national anthems at this daily ceremony commemorating the fallen of WWI. Participating in this ceremony is an incredibly moving experience for groups who are often able to lay a wreath on request.
Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula, Brussels
Choirs can perform an afternoon concert at this stunning venue for a small fee.
St Bavo’s Cathedral, Ghent
Sacred choirs and orchestras are welcome to perform in this beautiful cathedral. Use of the organ can be arranged in advance.
Church of Our Lady of Finisterrae, Brussels
Evening performances are available at this attractive church for sacred choirs and groups, as well as an opportunity for groups to join mass.
Church of St Rochus, Blankenberge
Sacred choirs, classical chamber ensembles and orchestras are offered the chance to perform at this lovely Neo-Romanesque church in the seaside resort of Blankenberge.
The Church of Our Lady, Bruges
Choirs and instrumental chamber groups are invited to perform afternoon concerts in the wonderful ‘The Church of Our Lady’ located in the heart of historic Bruges.
Church of St Anthony of Padua, Aalst
This welcoming church allows both sacred and secular music, and the Priest works hard to ensure concerts by guest groups are well supported.
Church of St Michael, Ghent
Well known for its popular concert series and centrally located in Ghent, this church welcomes groups with mixed programmes.The Church also takes part in the Ghent Music Festival every July.
Retirement Homes
We have a selection of welcoming retirement homes that enjoy hosting guest performances in a variety of cities and towns, including Dunkirk and Brussels.
Market Place, Bruges
Groups not needing electricity/amplification can perform during the day in this stunning city square, which always attracts good audiences outside the summer months.
Market Place, Ypres
This popular and attractive square is situated in the heart of Ypres where concerts regularly draw appreciative crowds.
Bobbejaanland, Lichtaart
Between April and the start of November, this theme park offers groups the chance to perform. Groups can also take advantage of reduced ticket prices for the theme park.
Parc de Bruxelles, Brussels
This busy city centre park, encircled by the Royal Palace of Brussels, the Belgian Parliament and the American Embassy, offers groups the chance to perform in its wonderful bandstand.
Bandstands
Perform at the best coastal bandstands we offer, such as Blankenberge, Ostend, Nieuwpoort and De Panne.
Top visits
In Flanders Field Museum
This superb state-of-the-art, interactive museum is now an even richer experience with the updated larger museum. Covering most aspects of the war in Flanders, each visitor will receive a wristband that will take them on a journey in the museum through the eyes of someone who was there. Educational worksheets and study resources and workshops are available www.inflandersfields.be/en/educational-new
Menin Gate & Last Post Ceremony
The largest and the most important of the British memorials to the Missing in The Salient, The Menin Gate holds the names of 54,896 soldiers of the British Empire. This memorial marked the start of one of the main roads out of Ypres towards the Front Line. Following a meal at a local restaurant, your students will witness the moving ‘Last Post Ceremony’ which takes place every evening at 8pm.
Bellewaerde Theme Park
Spend a day at this fantastic theme park, home to a wonderful mix of rollercoasters, shows, animals and water features.
Bruges
Reputed to be the best preserved medieval city in Europe, Bruges abounds with character and charm. The many canals and waterways have given it the name of ‘Venice of the North’ and these plus the winding cobbled streets, gabled houses and hump backed bridges make Bruges so delightful.
Ostend & Blankenberge
The marina in the centre of Ostend is lined with plenty of cafés and groups can watch the artists at work at the outdoor painting exhibitions along the promenade. In the town of Blankenberge local markets are held throughout the year on Friday mornings and Mondays during high season.
Ghent
Known as the ‘City of Flowers’ it’s also a place of historic interest. The centre of Ghent especially comes to life on Sunday mornings when, up to midday, there are no less than five different markets all within ten minutes walk of each other: antiques, animals, birds, flowers, and a painter’s market. There are also several interesting museums in the town - the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Folklore Museum.
Need something bespoke?
Our dedicated team are on hand and ready to plan your tailor-made tour.
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On-tour support
Get even more from your trip with an NST Music Tour Manager! Call us for details.
Your dedicated Group Co-ordinator, if staying at NST’s Château d’Ebblinghem, will ensure the smooth-running of your concert tour, acting as all-round support for your group.
Accommodation
Popular options in Belgium
Oude Abdij Hotel
A comfortable, atmospheric hotel offering an ideal location for excursions to the Battlefields. The owner, who lives on-site, is extremely hospitable and experienced in accommodating groups of young people. She also speaks excellent English. Feedback from groups is consistently very positive and many return year after year.
Ypres Lodge
This modern accommodation has been purpose-built for school groups. Its location provides good access to the surrounding area and is within easy reach of the centre of Ypres and offers very good value for money and is highly recommended.
Oude Abdij Hotel
A comfortable, atmospheric hotel offering an ideal location for excursions to the Battlefields. The owner, who lives on-site, is extremely hospitable and experienced in accommodating groups of young people. She also speaks excellent English. Feedback from groups is consistently very positive and many return year after year.
Ypres Lodge
This modern accommodation has been purpose-built for school groups. Its location provides good access to the surrounding area and is within easy reach of the centre of Ypres and offers very good value for money and is highly recommended.
Expert's comment
Using NST’s exclusive château accommodation as a base for your group opens up some wonderful performance options on the Opal Coast and across the border into nearby Belgium. There are venues to suit every group in this area, from Belgium’s wonderful churches and cathedrals, to popular city squares, coastal town bandstands and municipal gardens. This area also boasts some real hidden gems, such as theme park venues in both Northern France and Belgium, as well as the opportunity to participate in the much revered Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate.
John Kay, Concert Consultant
FAQs
Why is Belgium such a strong destination for school music groups?
Belgium offers a welcoming atmosphere for youth ensembles, with appreciative audiences and a wide range of suitable venues. It’s ideal for both novice groups building confidence and more experienced performers seeking prestigious settings in cities such as Bruges and Brussels.
What types of performance venues can groups experience?
NST offers access to an impressive selection of venues including market squares, coastal bandstands, theme parks and historic churches. Options range from Ypres’ Market Place and Parc de Bruxelles to coastal locations such as Blankenberge, Ostend and Nieuwpoort. Choirs can also participate in the moving Last Post Ceremony in Ypres.
How does NST tailor a Belgium music tour to support learning and performance goals?
NST builds customised itineraries that balance concerts with cultural visits, ensuring each performance suits your ensemble’s repertoire and confidence level. With varied venues and rich cultural backdrops, groups can refine their musicality while exploring Belgian heritage.
What cultural experiences can enhance the music tour?
Alongside performances, groups can explore Belgium’s historic towns, museums and cultural sites. Options include visits to Bruges and Brussels, coastal resorts and WWI heritage locations such as Ypres - a meaningful addition to any itinerary.
What support does NST provide during a Belgium music tour?
NST offers comprehensive on-tour support including a dedicated Music Tour Manager and a Group Coordinator at NST’s Château d’Ebblinghem. This team helps with concert organisation, logistics and evening activities to ensure a smooth, enjoyable experience for teachers and students.
What’s included in a typical NST Belgium music package?
Packages generally include three nights’ full board accommodation at NST’s Château d’Ebblinghem, executive coach transport, organisation and publicity for three concerts, extensive group travel insurance and a generous free place ratio of 1 in 8.
Giving you full support throughout
Before your tour
- Dedicated NST expert from day one
- Responsive, flexible communication - Teams, phone, or email
- Same-day quotes
- Trips tailored to your budget, with transparent pricing
- Straightforward planning - we handle the details
- Step-by-step risk assessment guidance
- Free accommodation for group leader preview visits
- Curriculum-driven, enriching experiences across 100s of locations
- Unrivalled local knowledge & expertise
Whilst you're away
- Our travel app keeps all your info in one place
- On-tour support from our reps on the ground
- Support & assistance from our specialists
- 24/7 helpline and support
- Extensive group travel insurance
- Group-friendly accommodation
- Free educational resources
On your return
- Priority rebooking services
- Loyalty reward scheme for valued customers
- You say, we act - we're committed to continuously improving our tours
Speak to one of our school travel experts
Our team of school travel experts have unrivalled destination knowledge and experience so they can help to bring your tour ideas to life and might even suggest options you hadn’t already thought of too!
So get in touch today and we'll help to create a bespoke, budget-friendly tour itinerary to meet your specific learning requirements.
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