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…

Elle adore le noir

Tue 26 Mar 2024 to Sat 21 Sep 2024
During the Ensor Year, embark on an artistic quest through 40 shop windows of Oostendse traders. By bike or on foot! Along this route, you'll discover artworks created by Oostendse artists inspired by Ensor. For children, there's a grand puzzle game, and if they find the solution, they can collect…

Joe Bonamassa

Kursaal Oostende
Sun 7 Apr 2024 20:00
American blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa shared stages worldwide with blues gods such as Eric Clapton, B.B. King or John Lee Hooker and is highly praised for his phenomenal guitar playing. On April 7, 2024 he will come to Kursaal Oostende for a unique concert.  

10CC

Kursaal Oostende
Thu 11 Apr 2024 20:00
The Ultimate Greatest Hits Tour 10cc are a soft rock band from Stockport, Cheshire. The band released their self-titled debut album in 1973, going on to put out a further 10 albums throughout their career – the latest being 1995’s ‘Mirror Mirror’. They split and reformed on several occasions…

Dirty Dancing in concert

Kursaal Oostende
Thu 9 May 2024 20:00
Join us for Dirty Dancing in Concert, the classic film’s first live film-to-concert experience. Enjoy the digitally remastered hit film like never before on a full-size cinema screen, with a live band and singers performing the film’s iconic songs. With a soundtrack that marked a generation, Dirty…

Dirty Dancing in concert

Kursaal Oostende
Fri 10 May 2024 20:00
Join us for Dirty Dancing in Concert, the classic film’s first live film-to-concert experience. Enjoy the digitally remastered hit film like never before on a full-size cinema screen, with a live band and singers performing the film’s iconic songs. With a soundtrack that marked a generation, Dirty…

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…

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…

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!…

Mu.ZEE - Art museum at the seaside

Once a department store, now Mu.ZEE. Mu.ZEE is the only place in the world that focuses on modern and contemporary art in Belgium, from 1880 to the present day. Mu.ZEE would like to share its iconic building, its beautiful collection and the growing knowledge about it with you and as many others…

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…

Kursaal Oostende

The building dominates the view at the Albert I promenade. The Casino, a design by Leon Stynen (1953) stands on the spot where in 1875 the first casino already stood. The latter was destroyed during WWII. After the war it would still be eight years before the current building was erected. This…

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…

Ferry Visserskaai - Oosteroever

Free ferry service between the city centre (aquarium) and the 'Oosteroever' (Maritiem Plein) for max. 50 persons of which 20 bicycles. The new boat 'Raveel meets Ensor' is fully electric and is accessible for max. 100 persons, of which 40 bicycles. All boats are accessible for wheelchair users. …