The Rubens House in Antwerp launches “intimate Friday evenings in the Rubens House full of performances, DJ sets, concerts, lectures and more”.

Four times a year, the Rubens House opens its doors for an exclusive Friday evening: ‘The Cabinet Sessions‘. 

Visitors dive into Rubens’ personal cabinet and experience the Rubens House like never before. Think of strong beats, live performances, fascinating lectures and stimulating workshops in a homely atmosphere. Friday evenings that surprise, inspire and come alive – that’s The Cabinet Sessions. 

On 7 March 2025, Benjamin Glorieux, Instagram phenomenon The Gaze, DJ Sven Mes and other artists will provide a cracking first edition.

In Rubens’ time, a cabinet was a cupboard or a room full of unique art and objects. The Rubens House translates this idea into a contemporary experience with The Cabinet Sessions. 

Four Friday evenings a year, local artists are given free rein. With an idiosyncratic programme, they take the visitor into the intimate cabinet of Rubens. During The Cabinet Sessions, visitors discover a surprising side of the artist. Because in addition to being an extraordinary talent, Rubens was also a trendsetter and innovator. ​

Perfectly curated, with an edge

Every year, the Rubens House gives the key to the cabinet to an inspiring curator. 

In 2025, musical connector B-Classic will take visitors into their world. B-Classic facilitates encounters between artists, genres and audiences. It opens up classical music and investigates how music, both today and in the past, is made and experienced. B-Classic supports artists and makers without earmuffs and gives them the space to create, experiment and present.

First edition on 7 March

For the first edition of The Cabinet Sessions on 7 March 2025, B-Classic will provide a daring programme with live music. Cellist Benjamin Glorieux, guitarist Tim Finoulst, pianist Maarten Lingier and bassist Martijn Vanbuel work together to create a unique performance.

In addition, artist Bertrand Desmaricaux will give a portrait drawing workshop. Instagram phenomenon Matthijs Van Mielo, better known as @thegaze_art, will apply his unique art knowledge to the library collection. DJ Sven Mes will provide a festive DJ set for the evening and you can enjoy a drink at the bar.

If you want to get some fresh air, you can also visit the baroque garden. After an invigorating speed tour with a flashlight, visitors can warm up with an exclusive tea based on herbs from the garden.

The Cabinet Sessions on Friday, lecture and children’s workshop on Sunday

Every Sunday following The Cabinet Sessions, the Rubens House will programme a lecture with a children’s workshop. 

During the first edition, The Food Archaeologist, Jeroen Van Vaerenbergh, treats the Rubens House to his debut story: ‘Wat schaft de put‘. In this author’s lecture, he digs deeper into the culinary past of mankind, inspired by Rubens’ baroque garden. ​

Before and during the lecture, parents can take their children between the ages of 6 and 12 to a free workshop on the theme of Jeroen’s book. Under the guidance of a passionate guide, they will roll up their sleeves for an hour and a half. The children’s workshop is free, but registration in advance is required. ​

Art and museums in Antwerp

• ANTWERP | ‘Compassion’ in the MAS: the many faces of compassion.
• 2025 at the museums of Antwerp.
• 2025 at Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Antwerp (KMSKA): René Magritte, Marthe Donas, Panamarenko, Hans Op de Beeck.
• ANTWERP | Graphics Museum De Reede ft. Francisco Goya, Edvard Munch, Félicien Rops and Albrecht Dürer.
• ANTWERP | Rubens Experience and Rubens Garden at Rubenshuis.
• Antwerp will have a new Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp M HKA.
• ANTWERP | Innovations in the Middelheim Museum provide a completely new visitor experience.
• 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.
• 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.