The Christmas Market
AKA – Winter In Antwerp. If you have lived in Antwerp for more than a year, then you will know that Winter in A means that the historic center is lit up for the Christmas season. It’s a lot more than a Christmas market -you will find festive activities on Steenplein, Suikerrui, Grote Markt, Handschoenmarkt and Groenplaats. There are market stands on Grote Markt, Groenplaats, Steenplein and Suikkerui and the ice rink is on Groenplaats. There is also a big wheel, tubing on Steenplein for the kids, and funfair activities along the riverside.
Saturday
Het Roze Huis are showing the film The Danish Girl for free at 8pm
All day (from 9am- 5pm) there is an indoor fleamarket at Kinepolis Event Centre, which is free.
There’s also a free festive art market at the Washboard Art & Jazz café (opposite the Justitie Palace) from 2pm -11pm. Thanks to Nessascityblog reader, Klio, for sending that one in.
Sunday
Shops are open in the center of town for Sunday shopping this weekend, and also next weekend.
Permeke Library holds it’s regular monthly second hand book market on de Coninckplein from 10am
For something festive but a little off the beaten track, try Kerst in Boho (3pm -9pm) on the Krugerplein (Borgerhout). This is a nice local square with space for kids to play (and a bouncy castle). There will also be live music, food and drink and local creatives offering their Christmas wares for sale. And a ‘Geeftent’ where you can donate goods and clothes which are in good condition, and which you no longer need.
It’s likely to continue cold, with showers likely over the weekend. Sunday will be coldest when temperatures go down to zero.
Miscellaneous
I was delighted to learn that Nessascityblog was listed by Spotted by Locals in their list of Best Antwerp Blogs 2017. Spotted by Locals provides city tips from people who live in the 67 cities they feature.
China Light has opened at Antwerp Zoo. It’s a little bit more expensive than the events I usually include here, but it has become something of an annual feature of the Antwerp winter scene, and -if it’s dry – it’s worth seeing. The colours and lights are pretty and magical. It’s on until the 14th January.
And on Monday I pressed a special Nessascityblog post about English speaking theater in Antwerp, featuring a review of BATS performance of Dracula, and information about an upcoming BATS production which will please theatre-goers of all ages …
International families with Spanish speakers, in Antwerp -see the green poster (left) for the December program of Colectivo Amorika
Next week will be my last blog post for a few weeks while I take a break for Christmas. But look out for a Christmas post by me on another well-known Antwerp site … more info soon!
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