Mark Saturday 28 March 2026 in your calendar: the very first Antwerp Shopping Day will take place then. The initiative comes from the new traders’ association Beleef Antwerpen and aims to give shops and hospitality venues in the city centre a boost.
The day promises a broad programme of activities. Visitors can expect a mini festival with a DJ truck that revives the spirit of the early editions of Laundry Day in Kammenstraat, a make-up bar in Grand Bazar Shopping, and an XL ball pit filled with golden balls in the Stadsfeestzaal.
There will also be pop-up fashion shows on moving catwalks through the city, alongside many surprises inside the shops themselves.
Another first is the introduction of a hop-on hop-off bus, familiar from cities such as London and New York, which will make it easy to explore different neighbourhoods.
The concept is to discover Antwerp district by district, each with its own vibe and local character, with street animations, in-store events and fashion activations popping up across the city.
Visitors can travel easily from area to area, hop off to shop, then hop back on. Those looking for some me-time can be pampered at the make-up bar or dive into the ball pit in the Stadsfeestzaal for a chance to win prizes.
Even the major retail chains on the Meir will no longer escape a promotional contribution. For one day, the city will go all out to create a unique shopping experience. This is not an ordinary shopping day. “This is Antwerp at its most playful, stylish and fun.”
