A biweekly flea market is set to launch in the Kievitgalerij at Antwerp-Central Railway Station, with organisers hoping the initiative will breathe new life into the often-quiet rear section of the station and attract new entrepreneurs to the area.
Following two successful trial markets, the first official flea market will take place on Saturday 6 June 2026. Dimitri Temmerman, a spokesperson for the NMBS / SNCB, explained that the gallery, located within the station, is an ideal and central location for such an event.
He added that the NMBS / SNCB views the flea market as a potential crowd-puller, noting that the trial markets demonstrated the event could be organised safely and pleasantly in the space. The railway company hopes the initiative will increase foot traffic and attract other businesses to the gallery.
Harald Dens, representing the non-profit organisation Verbintenis, which is organising the market, shared this optimism. He described the gallery as a central and highly suitable location, benefiting from the steady flow of travellers and the presence of existing shops.
Dens said Verbintenis aims to bring more vibrancy to the area with the flea market. While the market operates independently of the organisation’s broader mission, he noted that the stall fees will support Verbintenis’s ongoing work, particularly its efforts to combat loneliness.
The Kievitgalerij, which connects the older part of the station to the hall at Kievitplein, has long struggled with vacancy. Many of the shops in the gallery have come and gone rapidly, despite some recent improvements. Dens believes the flea market will benefit existing businesses in the gallery and may encourage others to open shops in this part of the station.
Future of Plopsa Station space remains uncertain
Meanwhile, the space formerly occupied by Plopsa Station, an indoor theme park that closed its doors in early January 2026, remains vacant. After four years of operation without achieving the desired success, Studio 100, the parent company, decided to end its presence in Central Station.
The 5,878-square-metre space, spread over four floors near Kievitplein, has yet to find a new purpose.
Temmerman revealed that a few interested parties have submitted business plans, and the NMBS / SNCB is currently reviewing all proposals. He added that a new call for submissions will be launched soon, allowing those who have already submitted plans to learn whether they are under consideration.
Upcoming flea markets at Antwerp-Central Railway Station
The flea market at Antwerp-Central Railway Station will be held on the following dates in 2026:
- 6 June.
- 20 June.
- 4 July.
- 18 July.
- 1 August.
- 15 August.
- 19 September.
- 3 October.
- 17 October.
- 7 November.
- 21 November.
- 5 December.
- 19 December.
