On Sunday 27 April 2025, more than fifty Antwerp museums and heritage institutions will open their doors for a free journey of discovery through movable and intangible heritage. This year, the 24th edition will focus on sports and games. 

With the slogan ‘Game On!’, visitors are invited to explore the fascinating world of sports and gaming heritage through more than 100 activities.

Heritage by everyone, for everyone

Heritage Day is the perfect moment to get in touch with the city’s rich history. Sports and games have been an essential part of our culture and identity for centuries. Whether it concerns old team photos, traditional board games or the stories behind sports clubs, but also theatre sets, pieces of music or choreography: heritage lives and moves with the generations. 

During Heritage Day, visitors can not only look at heritage, but also actively work with it: from workshops on ‘how to maintain your trophy’ to drone racing and Bollywood dancing in costume.

Sports, games and heritage: a perfect match

Anyone who thinks that heritage and sports have little to do with each other is wrong. Sports clubs and playgrounds are not only places of competition and relaxation, but also treasure troves full of stories and memories. Heritage Day brings this heritage to life and offers young and old the opportunity to discover for themselves how sports and games have played a role in our society throughout the centuries.

Some highlights

• Ell Circo D’ell Fuego offers various workshops for young and old, after which you can enjoy the performance ‘The Great Escape‘.
• Toneelhuis organises the first edition of the Velookestrofee in collaboration with Velo Antwerp: an obstacle course of 1 mile around the Bourlaschouwburg where you avoid set pieces in a team, transport crockery and cycle over the centre line in costume.​
• Outpost Gamecenter is offering a veritable feast of gaming initiations and competitions: from classic chess, to Dungeons & Dragons, retro PC games, to Pokémon.
• Magicians and fans of a touch of magic gather in the garden of the Rubenshuis for a performance by Magic Jaimy or in Hoboken for a show in the Gravenhof.
• In Deurne, Kobe Van Herwegen takes you on an illustrated journey through time, past remarkable magicians from our region. ​
• The Antwerp Burlesque Academy takes you on a journey through the history of burlesque and pole dancing in two stimulating workshops
• How do you preserve dance? In the Letterenhuis you will take part in a workshop that starts from the rich dance archive of the Antwerp grand dame of ballet, Jeanne Brabants. 
• Make your own medal or take part in a drawing competition for the best trophy in diamond museum DIVA.
• In ‘t Werkhuys, different dance styles are central: from flamenco, to Bollywood to hula hooping.
• The University of Antwerp is offering a historical escape room. Come to the puzzle room, crack the codes and find the missing Jesuit.

From creative workshops to fascinating tours, from treasure hunts to listening to city stories: all visitors, and certainly families, will find the activity that suits them to experience heritage. The entire programme can be found on erfgoeddag.antwerpen.be. Game On!

Practical

• Sunday 27 April 2025, between 10 AM and 6 PM at various locations in the ten Antwerp districts.
• All activities are free; reservations are required for some activities.
• For the offer in the City of Antwerp: https://erfgoeddag.antwerpen.be/.
• General information: www.erfgoeddag.be.
• Accessibility: Heritage Day coincides with the 10 Miles, but all participating locations are accessible. This year, runners can even admire an impressive timeline that shows the evolution of the legendary Antwerp sporting event from the very first to the 39th edition of 2025. More information can be found via: https://erfgoeddag.antwerpen.be/bereikbaarheid ​and www.slimnaarantwerpen.be. ​ ​