Antwerp comes alive from 14 to 17 May 2026 for the 12th edition of Antwerp Art Weekend, one of Europe’s most compelling city-wide contemporary art events. Across four days, more than 70 galleries, museums, and independent project spaces open their doors — from the grand halls of KMSKA and M HKA to smaller artist-run initiatives and OFF programme venues — making it one of the most accessible ways to experience the full range of what this city does creatively.
It’s worth noting that Antwerp has been quietly establishing itself as one of the most dynamic art cities in Europe, and this weekend is the moment the whole scene surfaces at once. Collectors, professionals, and curious visitors are all part of the mix, and the programming tends to reflect that breadth — exhibitions, performances, talks, and the kind of festive, city-wide energy that makes a destination feel genuinely alive.
The 2026 edition also continues the Antwerp Art Graduation Prize, which spotlights recently graduated artists from the city’s two leading art schools, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and Sint Lucas. It’s one of the more thoughtful threads running through the weekend — a reminder that the city isn’t just celebrating established names, but actively investing in what comes next.
Falling over the Ascension long weekend, it makes a strong case for a few extra days in the city. If you’re planning a trip around it, we’d point you towards August — a former Augustinian convent redesigned by Vincent Van Duysen, set in the Green Quarter, and one of the most considered places to stay in Antwerp.
Antwerp Art Weekend, 14–17 May 2026. antwerpartweekend.be
