Imagine visiting special boats and replicas of amazing old ships in the Brussels canal! This and many other unique experiences will be taking place on Sunday 29 May during the 16th edition of Fête du Port de Bruxelles / Havenfeest van Brussel.
The public will have a chance to discover Port of Brussels and join a range of special activities during this Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. between the Quai de Heembeek and the Bassin Béco. It is a perfect opportunity to learn more about the port and understand its importance for the water transport, employment and the economy of the region.
What to expect?
A very diverse program and something for everyone throughout the entire day! One of the highlights of the Port Festival will certainly be the possibility to observe and visit old ships in the port. Visitors will have a chance to admire five interesting ships – Hydrograaf, La Licorne, Morgenster, Georges Stephenson and Le Libération. Each of these boats has a different story and it will be a real experience to see them all in the Brussels canal. To learn more about the participating ships and get info about the visits, click on this link.
Other highlights on the program include nautical demonstrations and water sports activities, boat trips, shows, brass bands, inflatable games, rescue dogs demonstrations, kids activities… To complete the atmosphere, bars and diverse food trucks will be present on the location, making this event a wonderful Sunday activity in Brussels!
How to get there?
The activities will take place at Quai de Heembeek (Chaussée de Vilvoorde), near the Pont Van Praet (Neder-Over-Heembeek). Free bus and boat shuttles from the city center will be available by boarding at quai Béco (Sainctelette – avenue du Port). If you are coming with STIB / MIVB:
Quai de Heembeek
– Tram: 3 & 7 (Van Praet)
Quai Béco / Sainctelette (access to free shuttle buses).
- Métro : 2 & 6 (Yser)
- Tram : 51 (Sainctelette)
- Bus : 14, 20 (Avenue du Port) & 88 (Tour et Taxis)
Bus shuttles
Get a sense of the old times by visiting the Port Festival with one of the three old buses of the Brussels Urban Transport Museum. Free bus every 15 minutes between Heembeek (chaussée de Vilvorde) and Sainctelette (avenue du Port). From 12:00 > 20:00.
Water shuttles
Free water shuttles every hour between Quai de Béco and Quai Heembeek. You can board one of the two boats: Ark & Vivaldi, from 11:00 > 20:00.
To get more details on the Port of Brussels Festival, visit the official website. Be aware that the 20 km of Brussels will also take place on May 29. Several roads will be closed for traffic. Find more info on 20kmdebruxelles.be