Bit of a short post this week because I am away for most of this weekend. I think it’s also a fairly quiet weekend before the Antwerp winter and Christmas events open.
Over the whole weekend (again) is the De Markies stock sale of books at Zuiderpershuis. Most of the books are in Dutch but last year there were some art and travel books in English too. If you have Dutch- speaking kids to buy for (Sinterklaas or Christmas) the children’s book sections will definitely have good bargains.
Friday
BATS Theatre group hold their monthly open evening at their Little Theatre and bar on Paardenmarkt 111 from 8.30. This week there’s a music quiz and cocktails too.
Just a bit further out of town is the opening of Winter Festival Deurne Wintert. Most of the activities are free, but some require registration beforehand. The program include theatre, music and children’s activities.
Saturday
There’s a print & ceramics sale between 3- 6pm on Britselei (also Sunday).
Sunday
A couple of options if you have a child or children who would like to see Sinterklaas: there’s Grand Bazar between 1 and 3 (be prepared to queue for a bit, but it is generally fairly efficient) -no pre-registration needed; just show up.
This option in Schipperskwartier at 2pm at the Cultureel Ontmoetingscentrum Stadsmagazijnrequires pre-registration for each child and costs 3euros.
It’s the first Sunday of the month so shops will be open in and around the town center (some open a little later -e.g. at midday)
For a thriftier and more eco-friendly way to acquire what you need head to de Roma Theatre for their Give-away & swap fleamarket. As well as being able to swap items or receive them for free from stand-holders, the Ecohuis will also be at the event running a repair café for clothing, and giving you the chance to sign up for the Apen op Wieltjes scheme, which enables you to borrow a bike for your child as they out of their existing bike, or to exchange the existing bike for a better fit. There will also be gift-making and upcycling workshops.
Weather looks not too bad for this time of year. Some cloudiness but it will also be bright at times. Top temperature of 10 on Friday. Should be dry.
Miscellaneous
Find Nessascityblog on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram -recent snaps include some of Science Day (Dag van de Wetenschap), a Sinterklaas activity in Grand Bazaar and some of the festive lights that are now being put up around town.
image courtesy of BATS Antwerp
If you are looking ahead to the winter season and have kids to entertain, I recommend that you book Antwerp’s only traditional, old -school panto in English, for January in the Arendberg Theatre, by BATS theatre group. Another recommended from me -this time it’s Jack and the Beanstalk.
