Antwerp is set to host an even bigger and bolder edition of Antwerp on Air, the city’s unique air festival that transforms rooftops and façades with monumental inflatable art. From 4 to 7 September 2025, the centre of Antwerp will once again be filled with eye-catching installations, including the return of a giant inflatable King Kong climbing the iconic Boerentoren — this time scaling even higher than before.

The festival, a collaboration between initiator Phil Blondé and the city’s traders’ association Beleef Antwerpen, aims to attract people to the city and encourage them to view Antwerp from a fresh, playful perspective. 

Monsters

After a successful first edition in May and June 2024, this year’s event will double in scale, with fifteen inflatable artworks compared to seven last year. The pieces will feature giant, brightly coloured monsters and whimsical creations by internationally renowned artists, including the United Kingdom’s FilthyLuker and France’s Cyril Lancelin.

Last year, the animals were more realistic.

King Kong

Among the featured buildings will be the Handelsbeurs and the city festival hall, along with the Boerentoren, where King Kong will make his dramatic return. The organisers are focusing on a mix of new characters and returning favourites to surprise and entertain the public.

Spread out

While last year’s artworks were mostly concentrated around the Meir, this year the installations will spread throughout the city centre, appearing in neighbourhoods such as Wilde Zee, Lange Koepoortstraat, Kloosterstraat, the Eilandje and Volkstraat. 

The aim is to encourage people to rediscover different parts of the city, while also supporting local shops and hospitality businesses.

Decorated shop windows

As part of the festivities, traders are being encouraged to participate in a revived tradition of creatively decorated shop windows. The most original window display over the festival weekend will be rewarded with a helicopter flight over the city.

Antwerp on Air was conceived as an alternative to a traditional light festival, with organisers opting for inflatable art to give the city a surreal and imaginative makeover for one weekend. 

The festival runs from Thursday 4 to Sunday 7 September, coinciding with a shopping Sunday to ensure both locals and visitors can enjoy the spectacle.