On the weekend of 7 and 8 September 2024, Antwerp will celebrate 80 years of liberation. During the Liberation Days or Bevrijdingsdagen, residents and visitors can relive the festivities of 1944 and commemorate the victims of World War II. It’s the same weekend as Open Monuments Day. 

On 4 September 1944, British tanks rolled into the city of Antwerp. The arrival of the Allies brought the people of Antwerp onto the streets and the festivities broke out. Unfortunately, the German occupiers did not leave without a fight. V-bombs caused a lot of suffering and sorrow in the months that followed. But the liberation had irrevocably begun and there would be celebrations.

During the weekend of 7 and 8 September, Antwerp celebrates 80 years of liberation and the City of Antwerp reflects on all the suffering and sacrifices that were necessary for this, and that freedom is not something to be taken for granted. 

During the Liberation Days, residents and visitors can follow the impressive Liberation Parade, stretch their dancing legs at the atmospheric Liberation Ball, and soak up the atmosphere of 1944 in the Liberation Village. The victims of the Second World War will be honoured during a commemoration on Sunday.

Liberation Days programme

On Saturday 7 September, residents and visitors can attend the impressive Liberation Parade from 1:00 PM to approximately 3:00 PM. During the Liberation Parade, historical and contemporary military vehicles will parade through the city, accompanied by extras and music bands. 

The parade starts in front of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Antwerp (KMSKA), crosses the southern part of the city centre and ends at the Scheldt Quays in the Liberation Village. The full route can be found via this map. The Liberation Parade can also be followed live on ATV this year.

Visitors to the Liberation Village on the Scheldt Quays can admire historical and contemporary military vehicles all weekend long. There are also two naval vessels moored at the Cockerillkaai. In addition, young and old can enjoy themselves in an escape room or immerse themselves further in the 1940s with a make-up and children’s hair salon or during lindy hop initiations and music performances. The Liberation Village is open on Saturday from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM and on Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM. Anyone who wants to view the military vehicles in peace and quiet should come along on Sunday between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM. During this low-stimulus visit, there is limited catering and no entertainment.

On Saturday evening, partygoers can let loose at the Liberation Ball from 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM, organized by the District of Antwerp. This year, the annual free folk ball will take place on the Grote Markt, where various performances and Discobar Minerva will bring back the music and dance styles of the 1940s. There will also be dance initiations, make-up and hair stylists for the right vintage look, and retro food and drink trucks.

Commemorative walk

For those who want to know more about the victims of the Second World War, there will be a commemorative walk with an exhibition on Saturday and Sunday. 

The walk will start at the Liberation Village on the Cockerillkaai to the Orteliuskaai. Along the way, they will pass a free open-air exhibition that tells the story of several Antwerp victims of World War II. 

The walk ends at the Loodswezensite on the Orteliuskaai, where in the future a Names Monument will be built for the Antwerp victims of WWII. 

On Sunday 8 September, the victims of the war will also be honoured here during a commemoration from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Eyecatchers

In collaboration with a number of passionate collectors and foreign governments, the 80th anniversary of the Liberation can once again count on a number of eye-catchers. 

For example, the parade and commemoration ceremony will be enhanced by the Grenadier Guards, a famous military band from the United Kingdom. The British will also be present with a mine hunter, which can be viewed after registration. 

The US Air Force will send The Ambassadors Jazz Band to the Liberation Ball on Saturday evening, a top ensemble that keeps the tradition of the Glenn Miller Band alive. Big band star Glenn Miller was himself an air force officer who died in a plane crash in December 1944 on his way to liberated France.

Both the Dutch and French governments are participating in the Liberation Weekend with several historical armoured vehicles. 

For example, a Königstiger will be on display: this impressive tank was used en masse during the Ardennes Offensive, also known as the Battle of the Bulge, the last attempt by Nazi Germany to regain control of Antwerp. Furthermore, there will be many other unique pieces from private collections on display, and the Belgian Defence will also be present with contemporary equipment.

Mayor Bart De Wever (N-VA): “With the Liberation Days, we keep the past alive and draw attention to the importance of our contemporary democratic values. During the entire weekend, in addition to the exhibition in the Liberation Village, there will be various exhibitions and guided tours. Those looking for added value can visit the Museum Aan de Stroom (MAS), the KMSKA and the Steenbergstraat, among others. Furthermore, all Antwerp residents are invited to come to our commemoration ceremony at the Noorderterras on Sunday. At this location, where the Names Monument will be built in the coming years, we will from now on hold our annual liberation commemoration and commemorate all Antwerp victims of the war.”

The full programme of the Liberation Days can be found at www.bevrijdingsdagen.be.

Antwerp Commemorates

With Antwerp Commemorates (Antwerpen Herdenkt), the City wants to keep the memory of the war alive. To never forget the victims and events of that time, but also to continue to defend values ​​such as freedom and equality.

The city is currently trying to discover the identity of the fatal victims of WWII who lived or died in Antwerp. All their names will be visible in the future on a new Names Monument on the Scheldt Quays south of the Loodswezen.

Accessibility

The city advises everyone to come to Antwerp by bike, shared mobility, public transport or via a park-and-ride. Visitors can plan their route in advance at www.slimnaarantwerpen.be.

Attention: Since 1 August, only residents and permit holders can park on the street in the historic centre of Antwerp. All information at https://www.antwerpen.be/parkeren-in-het-centrum.