This Weekend in Antwerp: 26th, 27th & 28th October

Here’s the Google Map to help you find your way around Antwerp this weekend.

Antwerp gastro-fest Smaakmeesters continues this weekend until the end of the month with walks, offers, foodie workshops and markets …

Friday

It’s the Hallowe’en edition of Critical Mass! Assemble as usual at 6pm with your bike on Theaterplein. After a group bike-ride of about an hour around Antwerp, you will -if you have dressed up for the occasion be rewarded with a mug of soup on arrival at Sint-Paulusplaats, courtesy of veggie fast food restaurant De Krewelligen Bidet (which comes personally recommended -tasty, cheap home-cooked vegetarian & vegan fast-food).

Last week I mentioned Antwerp’s newest market: Dokmarket, which takes place weekly on Fridays from 3pm- 8pm and finally last week I went along to Napoleonkaai where I enjoyed a cava and a quiche from Quichenette, bought some delicious Save The Queen honey gin and a couple of jars of pickles from Spijs en Valies. It’s a nice mix of local products to eat or drink on the spot or to buy to take home. Although partly covered, it’s one to enjoy while it’s still dry and not too cold.

Saturday

It’s the ABC (Antiques, Brocante, Curiosa) at Den Beulebak from 11am-5pm.

If you are keen to start your Hallowe’en festivities, then The Irish Times (just off Grote Markt) is the place to start tonight. It’s a fancy dress party (of course) with live music from 10pm. Other Irish pubs will be holding events on the day itself (Wednesday -see miscellaneous).

Union Love Affair is a festival taking place on Steenplein from midday until midnight – funk, hip-hop, DJs -only 5 euros in, plus this also includes drinks jetons worth 4 euros … you do the maths.

Steenplein

Sunday

Commemorating and celebrating The Day of The Dead has become an annual event at the MAS museum, Eilandje. This takes place on the 8th floor of the museum from 3pm -6pm. Visitors are invited to bring a photograph or keepsake associated with a loved one who has died.  This event is free and includes the opportunity to see the exhibition Feest.

A reminder that clocks go back an hour today!

The weather is going to feel cooler and more autumnal (11-13 degrees) with a possibility of some showers on Saturday and on Sunday too.

Miscellaneous

Vleeshuis

I am pleased to share this interview I did for The Bulletin about life in Antwerp.

Next Wednesday is the last Wednesday of the month which means that Antwerp City museums are free. Of particular interest at the moment might be the De Reede Museum which is presently exhibiting Edvard Munch’s The Scream.

Also on the last Wednesday of the month, you can also catch a free classical concert at 2.30pm at the Vleeshuis.
Wednesday is Hallowe’en: Irish pubs around the city are always a good bet: fancy dress party  & games at Kelly’s on Keyserlei; the traditional Annual Hallowe’en Quiz & fancy dress at An Sibhin on Nationalestraat (register teams via the Facebook page);  and a big fancy dress party at Molly’s on Jezuitenrui, with costumes, games, prizes and free candy ..)

November 1st is a public holiday. There will be a holiday “rommelmarkt” on Theaterplein, courtesy of Goegekregen, from 9am -6pm.

Find & Follow Nessascityblog

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

Twitter & Pinterest & Instagram