Antwerp will once again become largely car-free on Sunday 20 September 2026, with the 24th edition of Car-Free Sunday featuring an expanded zone and a programme of activities focused on mobility, cycling and outdoor recreation.
The city centre will be closed to motorised traffic between 10:00 and 18:00. The car-free area covers the zone between Amsterdamstraat and Londenstraat, the Leien (Boulevards), Jan van Gentstraat, Waalsekaai, and Scheldestraat, with most of the Scheldt Quays also included.
This year’s closure also extends to the Brabant tunnels, De Keyserlei, Quellinstraat, Maria-Theresialei and the section of Frankrijklei between Operaplein, and Stoopstraat.
The expanded zone will provide space for activities aimed at both children and adults, including a water slide inside a tunnel, a roller parade and a test area for two-wheeled vehicles.
Water slide in a tunnel
From 11:00 to 17:00, activities will take place around Frankrijklei, Operaplein and De Keyserlei.
One of the more unusual attractions will be the ‘Frankrijk-glij’, where visitors can slide into the Brabant tunnel on an inflatable ring. A DJ will provide music, while cyclists can have their bikes cleaned at the VeloWash.
The ‘Frankrijk-rij’ will focus on active mobility, with roller parades leaving at 14:00 and 15:30 and travelling through the car-free streets.
Visitors can also test the latest steps, scooters and conventional and electric bicycles in a dedicated test area. Slim naar Antwerpen (Smart Ways To Antwerp) will showcase its multimodal route planner and provide information about getting around the city.
Those looking for a more physical challenge can head to ‘Frankrijk-lava’, featuring an XXL pump track and giant bouldering blocks.
At ‘Frankrijk-blij’, visitors can relax in a chill-out zone with deckchairs, food and drinks and a mini-golf course.
Access restrictions
Residents and visitors will be able to leave the car-free zone by car or motorbike via the main exit roads, at reduced speed. Entering the zone by motor vehicle requires a valid access permit.
The section of Frankrijklei between Operaplein and Stoopstraat is an event zone and will not be accessible to motorised traffic, including vehicles with an access permit.
Free park-and-rides
The city is encouraging visitors to travel to Antwerp by foot, bicycle, shared mobility or public transport. All park-and-rides will be free on Car-Free Sunday.
The event can also be combined with other activities taking place in the city centre, including ZuiderZinnen, theatre festival Bruist! and the Volunteer Market, as well as the regular Sunday markets.
Mobility Alderman Koen Kennis (N-VA) will visit the Slim naar Antwerpen stand on Frankrijklei at 12:00 on Sunday, where he will take a test ride in the mobility test area.
Kennis said the event offers an opportunity to discover different ways of getting around Antwerp: “On Sunday you can discover the city centre in a relaxed way and see how you can easily get around Antwerp. You can try out the latest e-scooters and bicycles in the test area, have your bike cleaned at the VeloWash or join the roller parade. Make sure you travel to the city smartly: on foot, by bicycle, public transport or shared vehicle. If you come by car, you can park for free at all park-and-rides that day. Use the Slim naar Antwerpen route planner to easily plan your own route. At the stand on Frankrijklei, you can also discover how our route planner can help you with all your journeys to and through the city. You are very welcome in our city centre!”