On Thursday 21 November 2024, lovers of culture, music and James Ensor can indulge themselves during Ensor Night. Four Antwerp museums open their doors from 7 PM to midnight. In addition to the four Ensor exhibitions, they provide a unique program with guided tours, film screenings, live performances and DJ sets.

During Ensor Night on Thursday 21 November 2024, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Antwerp (Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten Antwerpen, KMSKA), Museum Plantin-Moretus, photography museum FOMU and fashion museum MoMu open their doors from 7 PM to midnight. 

Visitors can immerse themselves in the creative world of Ensor until the early hours. Visit the four impressive Ensor exhibitions and discover a unique programme, specially put together for Ensor Night. 

Ensor Night is possible thanks to the support of the National Lottery.

Single ticket

A single ticket for 15 euros for young people and 20 euros for people aged 26 and over gives access to the four participating museums for the entire evening. Ticket sales start today via visit.antwerpen.be/ensornacht

Alderman for Culture Nabilla Ait Daoud (N-VA): “If there was ever a painter who knew how to colour a party, it was James Ensor! On Ensor Night, Thursday 21 November, Antwerp museums will pay tribute to his extravagant spirit. The KMSKA, Museum Plantin-Moretus, FOMU and MoMu will open their doors for a night full of art and zest for life, from 7 PM to midnight. Because what better way to honour the bon-vivant Ensor than with an evening where art, humour and a touch of absurdity come together?” 

‘Ensor’s Wildest Dreams. Beyond Impressionism’ at KMSKA

During Ensor Night 2024, you can delve even deeper into Ensor’s wildest dreams. After sunset, KMSKA will transform the museum halls into a gigantic Ensorian dream world.

Enjoy live music performed by the youngsters of Youth Zone & Belgiangarden, dance performances by Huys Arts, an Ensor memory game, slow art tours, Laterna Magica and Ensor-inspired cocktails. 

Creative types can get to work themselves in the open studio or during the life drawing sessions with a live model in the exhibition halls. DJ Jan Van Biesen, known from radio station Studio Brussel and ‘De Afrekening‘, will close the evening with a timeless Ensor set.

Discover the full programme on kmska.be. ​

Ensor’s ‘States of Imagination’ at Museum Plantin-Moretus

As soon as night falls over the Plantin-Moretus Museum, it opens a world full of temptation. The source of inspiration is James Ensor’s print series ‘Les sept péchés capitaux‘ (1904). The museum invites young and old to lose themselves in the seven deadly sins for an evening.

Eat greedily from an abundant Ensorian banquet or taste a c/mocktail from Baroque Baroque. Secretly enjoy impurity with the video installation ‘The P*rn*graphic Archive of Clothed Dialogue‘ by Magdalena Collectief. 

Visitors can be carried away by the anger of young musical violence, curated by OVERLAST, or lose themselves in greedy games of chance. Go on a slow art discovery with guide Elisabeth Roggeman, starting from Ensor’s print ‘The Pride’. And finally sin with laziness during the live electronics and visuals of TyPpO + oz’n’roll.

Discover the full programme at museumplantinmoretus.be.

Cindy Sherman at FOMU​ ​

Enjoy inspiring and danceable activities at the Cindy Sherman exhibition and pose in the FOMU Atelier like Cindy Sherman. Have yourself professionally styled and portrayed by the inclusive modelling agency No Babes Agency and go home with a unique portrait. 

Go on a speed date with Sherman’s characters during short guided tours. Admire how make-up artist Sarina Manaert transforms a model into one of Sherman’s iconic creations. The DJs of radio station MNM provide a festive vibe in the FOMU Foyer.

Discover the full programme at fomu.be.

‘Masquerade, Make-up & Ensor’ at MoMu

At ModeMuseum (MoMu), the Afrocentric curatorial collective Som·m·e Of Us invites various Black (queer) artists for an unforgettable Ensor Night. 

The programme includes a screening performance and the Belgian film premiere of fashion film YARDIE: ReDEFINED. You can also expect performances by singers and DJs such as Missy Da Kunt, GawdX, ShadedByNature, Yav, LEGOLANE and Jazz Sanusi.

Discover the full programme on momu.be.

All information about Ensornacht can be found here.

Practical​

• Thursday 21 November 2024 from 7 PM to midnight in 4 participating museums.
• Ticket sales via visit.antwerpen.be/ensornacht.
• 12 to 26 year olds: 15 euros.
• +26 year olds: 20 euros.

A-card with reduced rate and -12 year olds: 4 euros.

Art and museums in Antwerp

• ANTWERP | Rubens Experience and Rubens Garden at Rubenshuis.
• ENSOR YEAR 2024 IN ANTWERP | 4 top exhibitions from 28 September at KMSKA, FOMU, MoMu and Museum Plantin-Moretus.
• Antwerp will have a new Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp M HKA.
• ANTWERP | Innovations in the Middelheim Museum provide a completely new visitor experience.
• FOMU 2024 | Antwerp photography museum ft. Dirk Braeckman, ‘RE/SISTERS’ and Nick Geboers.
• A visit of the Flemish Tram and Bus Museum – Vlaams Tram- en Autobusmuseum (VlaTAM) in Antwerp.
• ANTWERP | Discovering queer(ed) art with the Queer Tour at the KMSKA fine arts museum.
• REVIEW | Illusion Antwerpen, an active and photogenic museum.
• Antwerp museums and sports facilities team up with European Disability Card for accessible leisure activities.
• Museum Mayer van den Bergh.
• 2024 at Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Antwerp (KMSKA): Rubens, James Ensor, Jules Schmalzigaug and many more.
• 2024 at the museums of Antwerp ft. Ensor Year.
• ANTWERP | Inside Rubens House.
• Museum Plantin-Moretus in Antwerp.
• ANTWERP | Museum Vleeshuis up for restoration.
• BOOK | ‘Antwerp. An Archaeological View on the Origin of the City’ by Tim Bellens.
• Red Star Line Museum.
• Paleis op de Meir. 
• DIVA, Antwerp Home of Diamonds.
• ANTWERP | Red Star Line Museum of (e)migration.