Belgium remains one of Europe’s front-runners when it comes to legal protection for LGBTQIA+ people. Yet 2025 exposed a widening gap between progressive legislation and everyday reality, one can read in ILGA-Europe‘s Annual Review. Civil society organisations report a continued rise in homophobic and transphobic violence, declining acceptance among young people, and growing polarisation in…
Tag: Flanders
Queer March Ghent returns in March 2026 with month-long programme
Ghent in East Flanders will once again host a month of queer-focused activities in March 2026 as Queer March Ghent rolls out a city-wide programme of talks, workshops, exhibitions, performances and community gatherings. The grassroots initiative, run by a collective of queer-identifying volunteers, positions itself as an independent platform without political or institutional affiliations, aiming…
ANTWERP | Premetro tunnel between Left and Right Banks to close for nearly a year for major renovation works
The premetro tunnel connecting Antwerp’s left and right banks will close for almost a year for extensive renovation works, starting on 4 May 2026 and lasting until at least mid-March 2027. During this period, no trams will run between the Park-and-Ride Melsele on Linkeroever (Left Bank) and the Astrid and Diamant premetro stations near Antwerp-Central…
ANTWERP | Concept for Meir redevelopment plan approved
The City of Antwerp has reached a new milestone in its plans to redevelop the Meir and the surrounding streets Leysstraat, Jezusstraat and Twaalfmaandenstraat. The concept design has been completed and approved by the city executive board, and will be submitted to the district executive board for approval on Monday (today).
Antwerp tourism breaks records again in 2025 with strong growth in day visitors, overnight stays and international events
Antwerp recorded another exceptional tourism year in 2025, welcoming a record number of visitors and confirming its position as one of Belgium’s leading city destinations. The city counted 16,271,561 day visitors, an increase of 3% compared with 2024, while stay tourism rose even more sharply.
Antwerp’s top restaurants indulge gourmets during Smaakmeesters Deluxe 2026, from 9 February to 1 March
From 9 February to 1 March 2026, food lovers can once again savour the very best of Antwerp’s gastronomy during the third edition of Smaakmeesters Deluxe or Taste Masters Deluxe, the city’s flagship culinary festival.
BELGIUM | Stoomtrein Maldegem-Eeklo presents 2026 heritage runs season ft. Balgerhoeke Bridge
Stoomtrein Maldegem-Eeklo has scheduled a busy 2026. One of the most visible highlights will be the Balgerhoeke Bridge, which will regain its former splendour following a thorough renovation. The first train to cross the renewed bridge is scheduled to be the Valentine’s Orient Dining Express. Further details are outlined below.
ANTWERP | KMSKA schedules ambitious exhibition programme for 2026, featuring international masters such as Antony Gormley, Philip Aguirre y Otegui and Ossip Zadkine
In 2026, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, KMSKA) will be showcasing major international names. The large solo exhibition by Antony Gormley will be followed by an exhibition by Philip Aguirre y Otegui and Ossip Zadkine.
WINTER IN ANTWERP 2025-2026 | 1.5M visitors, 120K for New Year’s fireworks
The City of Antwerp has brought a highly successful edition of Winter in Antwerp (Winter in Antwerpen) to a close with its traditional New Year’s treat, capping four weeks of winter festivities across the historic city centre. This year’s edition attracted a total of 1.5 million visitors, confirming its status as one of the strongest…
Antwerp International Airport still has large public support and political advocates, but must have healthier finances
A clear majority of residents in the arrondissement of Antwerp support the continued existence of Antwerp International Airport in Deurne. An exclusive survey conducted by Gazet van Antwerpen, published in December 2025, shows that 61% of respondents believe Antwerp should have its own airport, while only 14% are completely opposed.