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…

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…

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…

Ensor walk

Download the app and take the brand-new Ensor-themed walk to visit all the locations that were significant to the life and work of James Ensor. You will be given information and will be able to see things for yourself at each of these places, using the latest high-tech. Young and older Ensor fans…

The Crystal Ship - Street Art in Ostend

Discover “The Crystal Ship” in Ostend: renowned and world-famous artists make enormous paintings on walls as well as fantastic art installations in open spaces.

Hoevewinkel 't Buitenbeentje

The farm shop 't Buitenbeentje offers a daily fresh supply of organic vegetables; fruit and eggs straight from the field of the Biopluktuin in the agricultural park the Tuinen van Stene, or from our fellow organic farmers via BioBrugsOmmeland. This is how we deliberately keep the food chain short.

Lighthouse Lange Nelle

Lighthouse "Lange Nelle" : The famous lighthouse is the fourth one in the history of Oostende and the third one on this location. It was built between 1947 and 1949, rises 65 metres above the sea and guides the fishermen safely in the Ostend harbour. The lighthouse is not open to the public.

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…

Le Châtelet

Iconic, eclectic corner building at the Petit Paris intersection. Was built in the western city extension completed after 1865 under the impetus of King Leopold II. Frivolous architecture from the belle époque and a unique witness to holiday architecture from the era of fashionable and elitist…

Railway station Oostende

Eclectic station complex consisting of a central entrance hall flanked by two square "Tower buildings". On the left side adjacent to the station the former "Hotel Terminus Maritime".

North sea cruise offshore windfarm

Discover the wind turbine parks at sea. Captain Blue gives you a whole new perspective on our 11th province, the North Sea and wind energy. During the 5-hour boat trip, a Dutch speaking guide will immerse you in coastal navigation and port signaling, from various buoys and beacons to the…

Walk 'Tasteful Heritage'

Ostend is a city with a rich history. This walk takes you in a tasteful way along a selection of beautiful heritage sites. A few stunning houses in a nutshell, where you can also satisfy your hunger or quench your thirst. “Tasteful Heritage” is the result of a collaboration between Dement and…

Walk "Ostend creeks"

This route runs through the stunning, historic creek area and the polders to the southeast of Ostend. Walk through fields, woods, pastures and creeks and observe the animals and plants in this area. Prepare to be blown away by the stunning nature and the wind in the great wide open. You can buy…

Erfgoedwandeling Oostende

This 5.5 km walk will take you on a tour of King Leopold II's Ostend and the witnesses of two centuries of tourism. From Kursaal to the Royal Galleries, past the Wellington Hippodrome, "De Grote Post" cultural centre and the synagogue. Enjoy your walk!