The Bollekesfeest is an urban festival with food and drinks, music and lots of atmosphere in Antwerp’s historic city centre. The Bollekesfeest owes its name to Bolleke De Koninck, the amber-coloured ale that has been brewed in Antwerp since 1833. But it’s much more than a beer festival: it is an ode to Antwerpians’ joie de vivre. From 18 to 20 August on and around Grote Markt.

Food and drinks

Throughout the weekend:

• A regional product market: sample and buy local craftsmanship. See your coffee beans being roasted and your ice cream being churned. Groenplaats • Fish and seafood market: straight from the sea to your plate including calamari, fried mussels, herrings, escargots, fried fish and much more. Steenplein • Original food stalls: sweet and savoury, fish, meat and vegetarian, cocktails and mocktails… These food stalls have it all. Grote Markt, Groenplaats, Suikerrui

And more

• Summer drink: a free drink for every visitor. Fri 18/8 • 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. • Grote Markt

• Brunch on Sunday: enjoy a free brunch along with 1,500 guests. Sun 20/8 • 11 a.m. • Ernest van Dijckkaai • Free for the first 1,500 guests

• Boulevard 175: 175 nationalities call Antwerp home. Discover their specialities at Boulevard 175. Sun 20/8 • 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. • Ernest Van Dijckkaai

Music

Throughout the weekend:

• Grote Markt: the large main stage with more popular music and DJs.

• Steenplein: a fun stage container with alternative, talented Antwerp musicians: jazz, exotic, funk and more!

• Groenplaats: Practise your waltz, quickstep, salsa, tango, swing or cha-cha during one of the free dance workshops.

Also for children

The Bollekesfeest is a family-friendly festival. Our tips for kids.

• Playing fountain: Are your kids aces at avoiding water jets? Or will they be soaked? Throughout the day • Steenplein • free

• Kids’ village: keep your kids entertained for hours in the kids’ village. Did we say kids’ village? We actually mean the beach at ’t Steenplein. Building sandcastles, making paper flowers (and giving them to the boy or girl you like ;-)), getting seahorse or mermaid face paint... it’s all possible here. Throughout the day • Steenplein • free

• Nanny corner: The nanny corner is a quiet spot where mums and dads can prepare bottles and change nappies.

Practical info

The Bollekesfeest takes place in Antwerp’s historic city centre: Steenplein, Grote Markt and Groenplaats.

Opening times

• Friday 18 August, 1 p.m. – midnight • Saturday 19 August, 11 a.m. – midnight • Sunday 20 August, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Have a question?

Go to the information desk at Handschoenmarkt during the festival

Free Wi-Fi throughout the city centre. Select _Antwerp Free Wi-Fi and share your experiences using #Bollekesfeest.