MAfestival (formerly Musica Antiqua) is one of the world's leading early music festivals. Held every August in Bruges, it transforms the city's medieval churches, concert halls, and courtyards into venues for music from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Baroque periods.

The festival was founded in 1964 and has grown into a major international event. It attracts top performers — ensembles like the Tallis Scholars, Jordi Savall's Hespèrion XXI, and emerging artists pushing the boundaries of historically informed performance.

What makes MAfestival special is the setting. Hearing a Baroque cantata in a 13th-century church, surrounded by the stone and wood that would have been there when the music was written — that's an experience you can't replicate in a modern concert hall.

Venues include the Concertgebouw (for larger performances), the Church of Our Lady, Sint-Jakobskerk, and various smaller churches and historic buildings throughout the city.

Tickets range from €15 to €45, with some free fringe events. The programme is published in spring on the MAfestival website. Popular concerts sell out quickly, so book early.

Even if you're not a classical music fan, attending one performance during MAfestival is worthwhile. The combination of sublime music and extraordinary architecture creates something transcendent.