This Weekend: 18th, 19th & 20th August

It’s the 100th post on Nessascityblog! Thank you for following, and if you are finding this guide useful please share it with your friends and any only groups you are in where it might be handy to English speakers who want to be part of life in Antwerp.

Here’s the GOOGLE MAP to help you find your way this weekend …

Evening on Steenplein at Bollekesfeest

After Pride last weekend, we are once again lucky enough to have a great party event which which will dominate the weekend: this weekend is Bollekesfeest! This beer festival primarily promotes and sells Antwerp’s best known local brew de Koninck (aka bollekes) but over the years it’s become more than that and lots of other breweries and food sellers are involved. If you are new to the city, it is a great way to feel part of local life and it is enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

I would even go so far as to say, that you can enjoy this beer festival if you do not drink beer or alcohol, as on two occasions since I lived here I have not been drinking due to being pregnant but I have still had a good time with friends. It is also perfectly OK to take kids to this event during the day time and evenings. There will be more information here on the City of Antwerp site soon, but in my experience the best place if you are en famille is the Steenplein (although the fountains for them to play in have in previous years been on Groenplaats) during the afternoons and earlier part of the evening, but keep an eye on the link as there may be more information about kids’ areas. Either way, all three locations are very close by one another (Steenplein, Grote Markt and Groenplaats, so pick your spot.)

Friday

Bollekesfeest: 1pm -midnight

On de Coninckplein from midday until 7pm there is a selection of basketball contests and activities for all ages. There will also be live music, and the basketball fun continues on Saturday too, and it is all free.

Saturday

Bollekesfeest: 11am -midnight
Basketball continues on de Coninckplein
There’s the regular big rommelmarkt (fleamarket) on Sint Jansplein from 9 am

Sunday

Bollekesfeest: 11am -8pm

From 10am Snitt will be holding a vintage and second-hand market at Stack container village.

And back to de Coninckplein for their regular second-hand book, graphic novel and magazine market from 10am

Yoyogi (part of ZvA) is back for Sundays in August -not just yoga, but music, games, workshops and other activities are on offer for free between 2- 7pm on the green at Rivierenhof.

The weather looks like it might be showery on Friday afternoon, but thereafter likely dry for Saturday and Sunday, with temperatures of 18-20 degrees.

Miscellaneous

Don’t forget that all Zomer van Antwerpen events can be found on the zva site (I can’t list them all individually here).

In case you missed it – have a read of Sally’s story on last week’s Nessascityblog Guest Post … a fascinating personal story. If you would like to share your story on a guest post, please get in touch: nessascityblog@gmail.com

Sportopia is on in Park Spoor Noord (in the Loods building) for kids and teens until the 27th August. It will stay open in September and October at the weekends only (except the 24th September) and will be open again on weekdays for one week during the October break (28th October- 5th November).

Buurtpleintjes is an initiative from Stad Antwerpen offering free sporting activities on local squares around the city, until October. Last year, my son really enjoyed a series of free basketball lessons on Sint Andriesplaats as part of this initiative. Start by checking here to see what’s on offer near you.

Don’t forget to find me on social media, where additional events and locations are also posted:

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Facebook (Events in Antwerp: in conjunction with London Calling)

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