Thanks for checking out Nessascityblog now that weekly posts have resumed! This time I managed to find the time to make the usual GOOGLE MAP pinpointing the locations mentioned in this post, so that you can find your way around what is set to be quite a busy weekend in Antwerp. I hope you find something fun here, especially if you are recently arrived in the city.
I’ve found three events for you which are ongoing over the whole weekend. These are:
HAP Food Festival which takes place on Schengenplein in the Cadixwijk from 4pm on Friday and continues on Saturday (12 -12) and Sunday (12- 10pm). This is a food truck festival and entry is free. A good chance to check out this nice area -just beyond Eilandje -which seems to be an up and coming place to hang out.
Also over the whole weekend, it’s the Mechelseplein Feesten on (unsurprisingly) The Mechelseplein, which actually starts on Thursday at 4pm. This is a very small, friendly square surrounded by local bars which are worth checking out. It is a free kid-friendly event. Times are: Friday 4pm -12; Saturday 4pm -12; Sunday 12- 8pm. The festival offers food, drink and live performances: see the full programme here.
Bargain hunters should drop by this garage sale on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Gierstraat 9 from 1- 6pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Gierstraat is just round the corner from the Vrijdagmarkt which is a cute local square, a little off the beaten tourist track and worth stopping by..
Friday
If you are a fan of markets, you might want to head down to Eilandje to scope out this new weekly market which opens today: Dok Markt offering fruit, vegetables and flowers. It’s an afternoon market (3pm- 8pm) so even if you’re working you might be able to catch it in the evening.
Swaajp is an energetic impro theater group which consistently gets good reviews. Over on Tuinstraat (Natie buurt) you can see them for free as part of this local street festival. You may have noticed “Tuinstraat” (“Garden Street”) on De Pretstraat) -it is near Park Spoor Noord (off Ellermanstraat) and it is currently a car free, attractive green space hosting catering and performance events designed to bring the community together, as well as being a place where locals can sit out and socialise.
Saturday
For more fresh and local produce head to Borgerhout for Kraakvers -Antwerp’s farmers market: fruit & veg, cheese, bread, preserves, chocolate, local honey, fresh coffee and more, from 9am -2pm on Vincotteplein.
Sunday
It’s the annual Flemish Culture Market today: many, many cultural organisations (theatre, music, dance, art, literature and more) showcase their upcoming programmes at various locations around the city, offering free performances, freebies and tons of information. The programme is extensive; you can find it here.
Have you been to the brewery Cafe Seefhoek? It’s worth a visit. It’s somewhat tucked away and it’s where Seefbier is brewed. It also features a nice, airy bar and sunny courtyard. The food is good, fresh and reasonably priced (share some tapas with friends) and this weekend they are additionally holding a second hand market there, featuring second hand goods, vinyl and crafts from midday until 6pm.
Lambermonmartre on Leopold de Waelplaats is Antwerp’s summer open-air monthly art fair, enabling local artists and creatives to showcase and sell their work. It takes place from midday, just in front of the Museum of Fine Art (KMSKA). There is also always a food and drink stand, and a band playing at 2.30 and at 5pm to add to the atmosphere.
The weather is expected to be mainly dry, with some brief showers possible on Saturday and Sunday morning. Temperatures will cool off a bit but stay warm, with highs of around 18 degrees.
Miscellaneous
Don’t forget that Zomer van Antwerpen is not over yet! Here’s the website.
Baroque Antwerp season continues until January 2019.
The OLT (Open Air Theatre) concert season program is here. To go for free, see events entitled “Gratis Vrijdagen” (Free Fridays)
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