Agenda

Full calendar

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…

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…

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…

Beaufort24 - Ostend

Wed 27 Mar 2024 to Sun 3 Nov 2024
Beaufort is the Triennial by the Sea. An art happening along the Belgian Coastline. For its eighth edition in 2024, the triennial brings 18 new works of art.

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.

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…

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…

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…

Active sailing on the North Sea

Active sailing on the North Sea, departing from Ostend. The Elise will give you an unforgettable day on a luxury 20 metres sailing yacht. The Elise can be rented for full or half days, 12 people can board. Weekends and midweeks are possible, there is room for 8 people for the multi-day trips. You…

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…

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…

Speedboat Fast@sea

100% adrenaline en fun! Captain Blue gives you an adrenaline boost full of pure speed and fun. Experience the North Sea from a completely different perspective on boardof our speedboat. We'll take you along at top speeds of up to 75km/hour. Safety comes first: we provide life jackets as well as a…

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…

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…

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…

Crangon

Shrimp fishing. The Crangon is currently being renovated. New boat trips are possible from 13 April 2019.

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. …

Sea fishing

Feel like a fisherman for one day! Captain Blue gives you an unforgettable fishing day at sea! Fishing experience is not required, people of all ages can participate in this healthy and sporty activity. When the boat arrives, you will hear the siren of the ship: a signal to throw out the fishing…