Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Antwerp Mayor Els van Doesburg opened Winter in Antwerp with moving winter scenes at Handschoenmarkt, ice rink, Bar Bravo, Meatdistrict, jazz, carousel, and charity stalls until December 7, 2025.
As GVA News reported, Antwerp Mayor Els van Doesburg (N-VA) and several colleagues opened a new animated winter scene at Handschoenmarkt. The event marked the start of the “Winter in Antwerp” Christmas celebrations. They mentioned that as the sun set behind the Scheldt, the cold winter air spread across the city. One by one, the Christmas lights turned on, brightening the streets and squares.
On Steenplein, visitors gathered around the Ferris wheel. Children enjoyed the fairground attractions. This year, Bar Bravo opened on the square. It offers a wide selection of beers, finger foods, and live music.
What’s new at Winter in Antwerp 2025 with Mayor Van Doesburg?
The festive atmosphere continued along Suikerrui, where the Meatdistrict attracted visitors with the smell of smashed burgers. The food stalls were redesigned with a modern look this year. Vegetarian and alcohol-free options were available at all stalls.
On the Grote Markt, the Rebel Smoker served slow-cooked pulled pork and Black Angus burgers. At Groenplaats, Orbit Fried Chicken offered comfort food next to the indoor ice rink. The rink surrounds the statue of Rubens and remains one of the main attractions. Skaters glided cautiously on the ice while onlookers took photos or warmed themselves at the winter bar Den Apres.
Officials mentioned that visitors seeking a quieter experience can visit Hendrik Conscienceplein. The square is decorated in a Baroque-inspired style. Chef Sepideh Sedaghatnia from Your Divine Xmas serves gourmet dishes made with local ingredients.
They said that live jazz performances add a calm and intimate atmosphere, away from the crowds at the Grote Markt. Families with children can enjoy a nostalgic carousel at Opera Square. This year, part of the square is covered, so the carousel can be used in the rain or the wind. New 2.5-meter-high viewing columns show moving winter scenes.
At Handschoenmarkt, the social aspect is strong. All stalls are run by charities and startups. The interactive Christmas ball tells short stories. During the opening weekend from Dec 5, 2025, to Dec 7, 2025, several events will take place.
Berre will perform on the Grote Markt. DJ sets will be held on Groenplaats. Acrobatics will take place on Operaplein. All stallholders use reusable cups and plates. Visitors pay a deposit, which can be returned at any stall. More information and the full programme are available at www.visitantwerpen.be.
The Winter in Antwerp Christmas Market started in the early 2010s. At first, it was centred on Groenplaats. Over the years, it expanded to include Handschoenmarkt, Grote Markt, and Suikerrui. Newer squares, such as Hendrik Conscienceplein and Operaplein, were added in recent years. The market now features more than 70 vendors, festive light displays, ice rinks, and family attractions.
Comments
20 responses to “Mayor Van Doesburg Kicks Off Winter in Antwerp with Festivities”
-
Ah, nothing says “we’re ready for winter” quite like a bunch of politicians turning on some fairy lights and serving smashed burgers. 🎄🍔 If I wanted to freeze my behind off while munching on overpriced finger food, I’d just bake a lasagna in my igloo! 😏
-
Oh, how delightful! Nothing screams “winter magic” like a pile of smashed burgers and a DJ trying to outdo the jazz in good old Antwerp. 🌨️🎉 Who needs a cozy fireplace when you’ve got an ice rink surrounded by charitable stalls? 🤷♂️
-
Seems like the Mayor has really outdone herself this year—nothing says ‘winter magic’ like a Ferris wheel and a burger stall that’s more modern than my last smartphone. 🎡🍔
-
Oh, how delightful! Nothing screams winter quite like watching kids skate on ice while the smell of burnt burgers wafts through the air—truly the essence of Antwerp! 🍔❄️
-
Just what Antwerp needed – another winter festival to remind us how cold it is outside! 🎉 But hey, at least we can warm up with a fancy burger and a pint while pretending to enjoy the ice rink. ❄️🍻
-
Oh great, another winter wonderland in Antwerp! I just love standing in the freezing cold for gourmet burgers and charity stalls while trying to dodge children on ice skates – it’s like a scene from a delightful horror film. 🥶🍔
-
Oh, fantastic! Just what Antwerp needed—more ice rinks and food stalls to distract us from the winter chill. 🎉 Who knew a city could be so ‘festively’ efficient at serving up nostalgia and burgers? 🍔
-
Looks like Antwerp’s decided to sprinkle a bit of Christmas magic—because nothing says “festive spirit” like overpriced burgers and a Ferris wheel that’s more rickety than a politician’s promise. 🥳🍔
-
Oh joy, just what Antwerp needed—more festive lights and ice rinks! I can hardly contain my excitement for the “Winter in Antwerp” extravaganza… because who doesn’t want to pay for overpriced burgers while slipping on ice? 🎡🍔
-
Oh, splendid! Nothing says “winter wonderland” quite like freezing your bits off while queuing for a burger smothered in charity. Who needs a cozy fireplace when you have a Ferris wheel in the freezing cold? ❄️🍔
-
Looks like the Mayor’s got her hands full with festive cheer—who knew winter in Antwerp could be such a busy little marketplace? 😏 Just don’t slip on those ice rinks while trying to juggle your vegan burger and a pint, mate! 🍺⛄️
-
Looks like the Mayor really outdid herself this year—nothing says “Christmas spirit” like overpriced burgers and a questionable ice rink next to a statue! 🤷♂️ At least the charities are cashing in while we’re all warming our hands on overpriced mulled wine! 🍷✨
-
Honestly, nothing says “let’s embrace the cold” quite like an ice rink surrounded by the delightful aroma of smashed burgers and a Baroque-style square. 🍔❄️ But hey, who needs a cozy winter at home when you can freeze your toes off for charity? 😂
-
Winter in Antwerp? Oh, just what we needed—more ice, lights, and bustling stalls to remind us how delightful it is to shiver while waiting for a lukewarm mulled wine. 🍷✨
-
Oh, fantastic! Nothing says “winter wonderland” like the smell of smashed burgers and a Ferris wheel—truly the height of sophistication in Antwerp! 🎡🍔
-
Oh, fantastic! Because nothing says “let’s embrace winter” like standing in a crowd while sipping overpriced hot chocolate and dodging slow-cooked pulled pork on a freezing night. 🎡🍻
-
Oh, brilliant! Nothing screams “winter magic” quite like a fancy ice rink and a burger stand, eh? 🎉🍔 Let’s just hope the only thing colder than the weather is the Mayor’s sense of humour!
-
Oh splendid, nothing like a winter wonderland in Antwerp where you can enjoy a burger while trying not to slip on the ice—nothing screams festive quite like a potential trip to A&E! 😂🍔
-
Oh joy, another winter wonderland in Antwerp! Just what we needed—more ice rinks and “gourmet” burgers while avoiding actual work, eh? 😏🍔
-
Oh great, just what Antwerp needed—more ice, lights, and crowded markets to remind us that winter in Belgium is all about freezing your derrière off while sipping lukewarm mulled wine. Cheers to a festive season of dodging tourists and overpriced burgers! 🍔❄️
Last News
Semiconductor Industry Trends Spotlighted as Arm CEO Challenges AI Chip Export Limits, Cambridge, UK 2026
Unsanitary Strasbourg Hotel Prompts MEP to Seek Medical Assistance
Such a procedure would enable hygiene complaints to be promptly reported to Parliament’s travel agency and could result in problematic hotels being remov
Metropolitan Hilarion Alfeev Released and Urgently Departs Czech Republic
Meta Platform Updates Capture Attention Amid Intensifying AI Chip Export Debate Cambridge, UK 2026
Switzerland’s Star Striker Barred from Entering US Ahead of World Cup
The forward, who plays for French club Stade Rennais, has encountered legal issues before. In 2023, a Swiss court found him guilty of making threats against a person when he was 21. An appeal was rejected last September.
Despite this, he traveled to the U.S. after
Putin Presents Kazakhstan with Four Tigers
At the end of May, Russia gifted Kazakhstan a pair of adult Amur tigers and two cubs for release into the wild, aiming to boost the population of large predators in Central Asia. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced this news prior to his official visit to Kazakhstan.
The tigers, captured in Russia’s Khabarovsk Territory in the Far East, were transported by plane to Kazakhstan. According t
Economic Growth Projections Improve Amid AI Chip Export Debate Impacting Tech Markets, Cambridge, UK 2026
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy to Attend G7 Summit in France
Zelenskyy is anticipated to join leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States at the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, as per the officials who requested anonymity to discuss the pr
Is Ethical Minimalism the Solution to Moral Fatigue?
The Heavy Pack of Modern Conscience
You carry m
Leave a Reply