Illustration of families strolling past a decorated bandstand on a snowy town green (De Intrede van de Sint)
Other Christmas Activities

De Intrede van de Sint

Visitors gather to watch Sinterklaas and his colourful retinue arrive by steamboat at the pontoon and receive a welcome from the mayor. A parade travels through the city streets toward the historic main square, where stage performances by Ketnet artists entertain the crowd. Sinterklaas concludes the festivities by addressing children and parents from the town hall balcony.

Sat, Nov 14, 2026

Website / Tickets

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Plan Your Visit

Hours

Stage entertainment: 13:00–14:00; arrival at the Steenplein pontoon: around 14:00; live broadcast: 13:30–15:10; arrival at the city hall: around 14:50.

Parking

The city recommends arriving on foot, by bicycle, or by public transport. Part of the site will be car-free or subject to a temporary parking ban. More mobility information and a site plan are linked.

Accessibility

Designated areas are provided for children in wheelchairs, alongside Flemish Sign Language interpreters and MobileConnect listening support.

Local Insight & Ratings

Family Friendly

🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 (5/5)

Best For

Families with children

Vibe

Festive and lively

Energy Level

Moderate

Photo Friendly

High

Weather Sensitivity

High

Tips & Advice

  • Travel on foot, by bicycle or by public transport, as parts of the event area are car-free or have temporary parking bans.
  • If cycling, use the extra bicycle parking near the Cruise Terminal and dismount at Steenplein, where the cycle path is inaccessible during the event.
  • Do not rely on the Sint-Annaveer or DeWaterbus between 13:00 and 14:30, when services are suspended for the arrival.
  • For public transport, use Groenplaats or Melkmarkt tram stops, or walk from Antwerpen-Centraal in about 20 minutes.
  • Look for wheelchair places and Flemish Sign Language interpreters for children; VRT MobileConnect listening support is available at Steenplein and Grote Markt.

Links & Contact

Website / Tickets

Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the celebration for?

It is a celebration for every child, and everyone is welcome to come and cheer Sinterklaas.

What can visitors see during the event?

Sinterklaas arrives by steamboat, then walks in a procession to Grote Markt and speaks from the city hall balcony. Sarah, Bavo and Zola and De KetnetBand perform on the Grote Markt stage.

What accessibility provisions are available?

There are viewing places for children in wheelchairs, Flemish Sign Language interpreters for deaf and hard-of-hearing children, and MobileConnect listening assistance at Steenplein and Grote Markt.

What is the recommended way to travel, and where can cyclists leave their bikes?

The city recommends walking, cycling or public transport. Extra bicycle stands are provided by the quays near the Cruise Terminal.

Are there any travel interruptions to know about?

The ferry and DeWaterbus service is interrupted during the Sint’s arrival. The cycle path by Steenplein is also unavailable during the event, so cyclists must dismount and continue on foot.

Always check the official website for the most current information.

We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.

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