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 What's On Now
Make a note of these activities in Belgium. They have
been selected because they are suitable for English speakers or those not
fluent in the local languages.
The following activities and events are not organised by
ABIW. If you know about an event which may be of interest to
our members, please let us know.
Check These
There are a few local web sites, mostly in
English that advertise their events. Check them out to find out what's on!For a quick overview of concerts, also check out Ticket
Antwerp or
Net
Events
(Dutch or French.)
AMUZ
- The deconsecrated church of St. Augustinus has been restored as a high-tech hall for the performance and recording of early music.
Arenberg
Schouwburg - Most events here are in Dutch but there is the occasional production in
English and also some music events. The web is in Dutch but if you click
on the link to "Agenda and Tickets", it's pretty clear what's
on.
Kinepolis Cinema
Belgium - Web site of Kinepolis cinema group with link to
the Metropolis in Antwerp. In English.
UGC Cinemas Belgium - Only in Dutch or French.
De Singel - varied arts.
deFilharmonie
- Orchestral
Symfonie
Orkest Vlaanderen
- Orchestral
Vlaamse Opera -
Also have lunchtime concerts.
Sterckshof Silver Museum - they have regular
exhibitions.
St-Pauluskerk - concerts
St-Pauluskerk
- Masses for choir, orchestra and solists.
Koningin Elisabethzaal - various events
Midday
Concerts in the Kalveniershof.
Carillon Concerts
1st May to 30th September
The Carillon Concerts in Antwerp begin each year on May 1st and take place every Monday evening until the end of September. The Cathedral bells chime different melodies (classical carillon tunes or Antwerp
sing-a-longs), out across the city whilst people gather in the squares below to enjoy the music. It is particularly popular with locals, who gather outside the bars for a relaxed musical evening with a few drinks thrown in for good measure. Every Monday night from 1st May until 30th September at 8pm.
Sinksenfoor
26th May - 1st July
The annual fair on the Vlaamse and Waalse Kaai starts on 26th May. If you
would like to download and print some coupons visit this web site.
Visit a Farm
Thursday - Sunday, 12:00 to 22:00
Take the kids out to Jos Theys Farm. They specialise in the production of high quality meat but there is also a restaurant where you can enjoy the produce. You can visit the animals, watch them being fed and touch them. There is also a children's play ground. The farm is close to the Leuven-Hasselt highway, 20 kilometres from Brussels National Airport, right in the heart of beautiful
Hageland.
Find out more on their English-language web site.
"Braderie" on the Meir
27th - 30th June
A "braderie" is best described as a street sale. This is the week
before the summer sales begin and you may find some interesting bargains.
Zomer van Antwerpen
8 weeks from 28th June to 29th August
The "Zomer van Antwerpen" is a festival that takes place at this time every year. There are all kinds of events, too many to mention. Regrettably there is no information in English, only Dutch or French.
The web site has an English section and you can ask for a brochure, only in
Dutch. Alternatively, go to the tourist office and pick up a brochure.
Tickets will be sold on 14, 15 and 16 June between 9:00 and 19:00 at the
counter of Open Ticketing in the KBC towers, entrance Schoenmarkt, or by
telephone on 070/690 680.
Summer Sales 2008
1st July
Sales in Belgium are strictly regulated by law. This year's summer sale will
last until the last day of the month, as dictated by the law! On the first day
the shops on the Meir will stay open until 21:00.
Ommegang Pageant
1 - 3 July
The Grand Place, Brussels, is packed with spectators, including the Royal Family and their guests, for Ommegang, or “walk about”, the major annual event in the city since 1549. Although it is believed to have stemmed from a 14th-century religious ritual, the huge parade is now devoid of religious connotations and focuses on local folklore and heritage.
The procession is made up of representatives from the crafts and trades of the city in traditional dress, as well as crossbowmen and their antique weapons.
Spectators on the Grand Place are limited to 3,000. Book in advance via the Tourist Office. Check it out at
their web site.
Flanders Celebrates
11th July
This is the day Flanders celebrates its identity. To find out what is
happening you can visit the Vlaanderen Feest web site.
Antwerp Cathedral Lunchtime Concerts, 12:45
11th July for 8 weeks
Seven lunchtime concerts. Admission €4 at the door.
For more information visit Antwerp Cathedral Concert web site.
(In English)
International Folklore Festival Schoten
11th - 18th July
As the name suggests, folk groups from around the world. Suitable for all the
family with day-time and evening performances and recommended by our members. Check it out on their web site.
Regrettably it is no longer in English after their re-design
Tickets: between €7 and €21. They can be ordered via the web site
or from various locations mentioned on the web site, or by calling 03 658.76.91,
Mon - Fri, 10:00 - 12:00 and 14:00 - 16:00, and also Saturday 12th and Sunday 13
July.
Gentsefeesten
July 19th - 28th
Free music in the streets and on the squares of the
traffic-free inner city with other entertainments such as open-air stage
plays, concerts, dance events, buskers, puppet shows and stand-up comedy.
More info at their web site (Programme only in Dutch)
Summer Opening of the Royal Palace of Brussels
July 25th to Sunday, September 7th
The Royal Palace in Brussels opens to the public while the King and his
family are on their summer vacation. Entrance is free and includes a visit
to the Empire Room, located in the oldest part of the palace, the White
Drawing Rooms, where the King officially welcomes newly appointed
ambassadors, the Throne Room, now used for large receptions, and the
glittering Hall of Mirrors, where distinguished guests are introduced to
the King and Queen at special ceremonies. The monumental halls are filled
with priceless collections originating from every continent, including a
number of new artistic treasures. Works by the painter Marthe Wéry, the
photographer Dirk Braeckman, and the visual artist Jan Fabre add a
contemporary touch. Fabre’s work in particular catches the eye. He
transformed the ceiling in the Hall of Mirrors into a strangely beautiful
Heaven of (De)light, using an estimated 1.4 million wing cases from Thai
jewel beetles.
The imposing building, commissioned by Léopold II and completed in 1865,
is open daily from 10:30-16:30, except Mondays. No reservations. See www.monarchie.be which has great virtual tours
of the palace.
Procession of Penitents
July 27th
The annual Boetprocessie (Penitents’ Procession) in Veurne dates back
to the days when Spain ruled over this part of northern Europe. The
tradition was founded in 1644 by an order of Capuchin monks who paraded
though the town shouldering heavy crosses. That’s more or less how it
remains to this day. In an impressive but eerie spectacle, hundreds of
ordinary citizens dressed in brown sackcloth, their faces hidden by hoods,
and often barefoot, walk silently through the streets shouldering heavy
wooden crosses. Scenes from the Bible and Christ’s Passion are depicted
in floats and vividly painted religious tableaux. You won’t see anything
like it outside Spain. The procession sets off on Sunday, July 27 at 15:30
and follows a path that winds through the streets of this old West
Flanders town (see Veurne's Tourist web site for a map of the procession route).
Free to watch, €25 for a seat.
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