Summer 2024 in Antwerp
Newsletter - April 2024
As spring slowly makes its appearance, we're happy to look ahead to what's on offer in Antwerp through the end of this summer. Enjoying an outdoor drink at one of several summer cafes, walking from the city centre to a world-class festival, catching the opening of a new park or enjoying contemporary art in the open air: it's all possible! Those who'd rather avoid the sun could visit one of the country's most beautiful libraries, spend 3 nights immersed in design and creativity, or discover the work of the fashion talent of the future.
Michelin star award ceremony
On Monday 26 February, the city of Antwerp hosted the presentation of the renowned Michelin stars for Belgium and Luxembourg for the first time. This is no coincidence, because with the awarding of a first star to chef Tommy Bocklandt and his restaurant Pont-Neuf, our city now has 22 stars, spread across 18 restaurants. So since this year, we are even more proud to claim the title of Culinary Capital of Flanders and Belgium!
Culinary press professional looking for inspiration? Be sure to check out our updated press kit 'Antwerp Culinary Hotspot'.
MICHELIN Guide Antwerp Art Weekend
16 to 19 May 2024
Antwerp Art Weekend celebrates its 10th anniversary! Since 2014, Antwerp Art has celebrated a full weekend of contemporary art in the city's most diverse venues: galleries, museums, art schools etc. In total, you can visit over 70 venues for a wide range of exhibitions, performances, activities and parties. In short: the perfect opportunity to discover Antwerp's contemporary art scene.
Antwerp Art Weekend SHOW Fashion Department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts
31 May - 1 June 2024
On 31 May and 1 June, the 18 master's students of the internationally renowned Fashion Department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts will present their graduation collection at the SHOW in the Waagnatie, as per annual custom, under the guidance of creative director Brandon Wen. It is therefore the perfect moment for the talent of the future to showcase their creations to headhunters, fashion professionals and the international press.
showww.be Come Closer
7 June – 29 September 2024
With COME CLOSER, Middelheim Museum and DE SINGEL together explore the space between sculpture and performance art. This collaboration brings together some 25 renowned artists from home and abroad with sculptures, interactive installations and performances. What they share is this: they alter the traditional relationships between the artist, the artwork and the public. In COME CLOSER, the distance between the three is replaced by an exciting exchange. A high-profile international art project during the summer months.
Middelheimmuseum Nottebohmzaal tijdelijk geopend voor publiek
15 June - 15 September 2024
Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library's Nottebohm Room is the crown jewel of Antwerp's libraries. The library's first 50,000 books are kept here in a breathtaking historical setting. Besides book warehouse and exhibition space, it serves as a repository for special donations and pieces such as the Blaeu Globes and the Egyptian Cabinet.
The Nottebohm Room only opens its doors for exhibitions, lectures, concerts or tours. Unless...
From 15 June to 15 September, individual visitors will have a unique opportunity to visit. Yet another reason to visit cultural city Antwerp.
consciencebibliotheek.be Summer in the city
A picnic in a park: always a good idea when the sun is out. And from this summer, Antwerp residents and visitors alike can lay down a blanket in a brand new park to do just that. On 17 May, the new Zuidpark will be officially and festively inaugurated. The site, which acted as an uninspiring stone expanse and car park, has been transformed into a green oasis of tranquillity in recent years.
Of course, there is no shortage of outdoor cafes in our city. But summer also invariably guarantees an ample supply of summer bars. Bar SOMMAR for example is not only celebrating its comeback after a year's absence, but also its 10th anniversary. Indeed, given their location on Rijnkaai, they will do so at one of the most beautiful sunsets in Antwerp. A list of all summer pubs can be found here.
Albeit only on its third edition, it has already become a fixture of the festival summer: Live /s Live. Within walking distance of Antwerp's city centre, this year's organisers once again put together a stellar line-up. This year, the two stages around the Middenvijver are set to host the likes of The National, Editors, Paolo Nutini, Gossip and Smashing Pumpkins.
Us By Night
26 to 28 September 2024
Us By Night uniquely redefines the idea of a conference, combining a festival of art and creativity with the excitement of nightlife. As an influential three-day event, leading the way in visual culture, it offers a fresh, unparalleled approach to a night out.
Acting as a superb theme park for creatives, with three stages and a special night market, the festival presents a diverse line-up of over 70 speakers and live artists from different creative disciplines. This mix of creativity and nightlife is designed to spark shared ideas, making Us By Night a beacon for both established and emerging talents in the national and international creative community.
Us By Night is now in its fourth edition. The event gained international acclaim in recent years, attracting over 3,000 unique visitors from 50 countries every day.
Us by Night The lists keep on coming
Back in January, we reported that renowned travel magazine Condé Nast tipped Antwerp as a city trip destination in 2024. Trade magazine Architectural Digest also helped put our city on the map. And it didn't stop there: leading British newspapers The Times and The Independent also recently tipped Antwerp as a city break destination. The Independent describes Antwerp as an iconic fashion city, claiming that our cultural offering rivals that of any other European city. The Times can't help but agree of course, calling Antwerp 'a delicious food hub'...
The Independent 
The Sunday Times Also on the agenda…
- Jim Shaw – The Ties That Bind at M HKA (until 19/5/24)
- Jef Verheyen – Window on Infinity at KMSKA (until 18/8/24)
- Dirk Braeckman – Echtzeit at FOMU (until 2/2/25)
- A Welcome Refugee: Einstein and Red Star Line at Red Star Line Museum (19/4/24 to 8/9/24)
- Willy Vandeperre – Prints, films, a rave and more… at MoMu (27/4/24 to 4/8/24)
Come and discover it all for yourself in Antwerp! Contact us:
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