Agenda

Full calendar

James Ensor: self-portraits

Thu 21 Mar 2024 to Sun 16 Jun 2024
Self-portraiture is of essential importance in Ensor's work and holds a special place within his body of work. The first three known painted self-portraits by James Ensor date back to 1879. Undoubtedly, his most famous self-portrait is "Self-portrait with Flowered Hat" (Mu.ZEE, Ostend), painted in…

Ensor 1940

Atlantikwall Raversyde
Sat 9 Mar 2024 to Mon 11 Nov 2024
On the night of 27-28 May 1940, Ostend Town Hall was bombed. Three paintings and numerous etchings by Ensor are lost. Lost forever. Because in the archives, only some vague images remain. Were they also masterpieces? Did they add anything to the Ensor we know? At the request of conceptual artist…

Ostend, Ensor's imaginary paradise

Venetiaanse Gaanderijen
Sat 29 Jun 2024 to Sun 27 Oct 2024
Discover the unique connection between James Ensor and his birthplace Ostend in the surprising exhibition 'Ostend, Ensor's imaginary paradise' at the Venetian Galleries. As Ostend developed as a tourist and cultural destination to become the Queen of seaside towns, Ensor developed his artistic…

James Ensor: Satire, parody, pastiche

Thu 19 Sep 2024 to Sun 12 Jan 2025
The body of work of James Ensor is characterized by humor and satire. Various works attest to his talent for paraphrasing themes or specific works of other artists. Some works result in parodies or pastiches, and stand out with humor, criticism, and/or caricature. He does not hesitate to denounce…

Great Art for Great Kids - James Ensor

Fort Napoleon
Sat 16 Dec 2023 to Sun 12 May 2024
On the occasion of the Ensor Year, Thaïs Vanderheyden transformed several iconic paintings by grandmaster James Ensor into works of art tailored to kids. Discover them at the interactive exhibition in Fort Napoleon.…

Arno. The Show of Life

Venetiaanse Gaanderijen
Tue 19 Dec 2023 to Tue 21 May 2024
Tussen 19 december 2023 en 21 mei 2024 ontdek je in de Venetiaanse Gaanderijen het ultieme eerbetoon aan Arno.

The Crystal Ship 2024

Mon 25 Mar 2024 to Sun 14 Apr 2024
In spring 2024, world-renowned and renowned artists, giant murals and interventions will once again pop up in Ostend. The Crystal Ship will welcome a dozen new artists during the Easter holidays, further expanding the street art trail in the City by the Sea. With a free cycling or walking plan, an…

Ostend at Anchor 2024

Haven Oostende
Thu 23 May 2024 to Sun 26 May 2024
Ostend at Anchor is the must-attend event for all who are interested in maritime history. More than 150 ships set sail for Ostend: from three- masters to inland barges to the smallest clinker-built longboats. The streets and squares around the docks are buzzing with activity. Learn more about old…

Expo 'In the shadow of the master, contemporaries of Ensor'

Stadsmuseum
Sat 15 Jun 2024 to Tue 31 Dec 2024
Ensor was a loner, but not alone. Besides the grand master himself, other artists worked and exhibited in Ostend. After all, the city by the sea has always attracted countless artists who, either occasionally or sometimes for a longer period, stayed in Ostend to work or to settle there permanently…

TikTokTour

Ostend has its own TikTokTour now! This crazy TikTok tour takes you to ten highlights of our lovely City by the Sea where you can recreate fun TikTok videos. Get your free TikTokTour at the Ostend Tourist Information Centre or download the tour at www.tiktokoostende.be.

Ostend City Museum

The museum tells you Ostend’s fascinating life story and also casts light on its future. A host of objects, posters, documents and multimedia applications reveal the secrets behind the development of the city, its tourism, fishing industry and shipping. Discover the Ostend of former times and the…

Hangtime

1,000 square metres of trampolines, a huge ball bath, and a challenging play area for the little ones, all connected by an inspiring coffee bar: that is the definition of Hangtime! In addition to the trampolines, we offer heaps of extras: basketball hoops, dodgeball trampolines, foam pits—the list…

Japanese Garden

Take a stroll in this magnificent 'Kaiyusschiki-style' garden and marvel at the various landscapes which unfold before your eyes. No-one would expect this oasis of tranquillity and contemplation so near to the sea and Oostende’s vibrant city centre. The Japanese Garden is open during weekends …

Het Groen Lint

Ostend has more to offer than just the sea. Did you know that Ostend has a surprisingly green city edge? To strengthen that green city edge, the City had a master plan developed to connect all green zones and landscapes: The Green Ribbon. This green ribbon forms an attractive 35 km loop for…

Provincial domain Atlantikwall Raversyde

The Provincial Domain Atlantikwall Raversyde is a unique natural area located close to the sea. A diverse landscape invites visitors to a lovely walk. Raversijde is also a home to a rescue centre for birds and wild animals (VOC). Go On Time Travel (+6) in the provincial domain Atlantikwall…

Skatebowl De Velodroom

The Velodrome is more than just a mega cool skate spot, there is also plenty of room to chill out in the grass. Besides the skate bowl, there is also a graffiti zone. The Velodrome is the place to be if you ask us. Sweet lines, soft curves, sturdy, a beautiful whole and a great challenge!…

Venetian Galleries

In 1900, Belgian King Leopold II commissioned architect Henri Maquet to design the first royal gallery: an L-shaped, closed and covered walkway between the royal villa and a large octagonal salon. Nowadays it is known by the name ‘Venetian Galleries’, referring to Venice’s classicist architecture…

The Vicognebos – Ostend

A little over 10 ha, Ostend’s Vicogne wood consists of young woodland and polder meadows, while the Vicognezwin retention pond, an old antitank trench and the Spuikom basin provide the area with much-needed water. A winding walk will give you a glimpse of the open polder grasslands while taking you…

The Geuzenbos – Ostend

Once upon a time in the 17th century the woodland here was a castle domain. Now, only some tree trunks indicate where the building once stood. A wood with some history then, making it perfect for a walk!

Floral Clock

Floral Clock. A special creation in which a total number of about 20 000 plants are used to form a unique palette of colour. The date - made of flowers - is adjusted every day during the summer months.

Maria Hendrikapark

The Maria Hendrikapark is an area of about 45 ha situated south of the city centre. The park has a variety of different ponds, open grass areas, two playgrounds and the Koninginnehof with cafetaria and restaurant, rowing boats, pedal boats, a traffic park, baby-carts and a miniature golf course. It…

Leopold Park

Leopold Park was laid out in 1860 on the old town fortifications. The beautiful bandstand was inaugurated in 1885. The world-famous floral clock was placed there in 1963, where it still stands now.

Horse-drawn carriages

Discover Oostende from a different point of view. You will find the coaches waiting for you at the Seamen's Memorial. They tour in and around the city centre depending on the weather.

Sea excursions - Boat trips

Enjoy sun, sea and water! Take part in a lovely boat trip on the sea with Captain Blue from the port of Ostend. Enjoy the real sea air, it has been proven to be very beneficial for different aspects of your health. So, 100% vitamin SEA. You cruise along sailing yachts and coastal fishermen in…

Chalet mini golf

While walking, you will encounter 21 obstacles in a park full of flowers and plants, ponds, rocks, waterfalls, etc. Surrounded by greenery in the middle of Leopold Park, you can enjoy a snack and a drink on the terrace or inside the brasserie-tearoom. In addition, the playground ensures that the…

Children's farm 'De Lange Schuur'

The children's farm is located in the Schorre on the edge of Ostend, south of the centre. The children's farm aims to introduce children and young people to all aspects of farm life, so that they may rediscover the connection with nature and the biotope of farm animals. Much attention is paid to…

Sluizencomplex Plassendale

In the 17th century, the canals Ghent-Ostend and Oudenburg-Nieuwpoort were dug. These two canals were connected in the Plassendale district. Because of different sea currents, two locks were built, one of which was later moved to the Slijkens district, closer to Ostend. The cute Spanish toll…