Antwerp Zoo is pushing out the boat to entertain folk, including the kids, this autumn and winter.
From October 24 to January 4 2026, folk of all ages can experience the magic of the deep sea amid luminous water dragons, graceful mermaids, and a giant octopus with colossal tentacles.
You can allow yourself to be carried away by dancing jellyfish, tropical fish, graceful rays, and even a large whale.
The light festival is open from Thursday to Sunday, from October 24, 2025, to January 4, 2026. During the autumn and Christmas holidays, the festival is open daily, except December 24 and 31. The light festival closes at 10pm each day.
A spokesman said, “This winter, visitors can dive into a mystical ocean teeming with fantastical sea creatures like luminous water dragons and graceful mermaids.
“You can complete your aquatic ballet amid dancing jellyfish, graceful rays, a giant whale, lionfish, crabs and lobsters, and schools of colorful and tropical fish.”
“Parents can warm up by the fire pits and relax in the winter bars while the little ones jump and play with lights.”
Meantime, Halloween is fast approaching, and pumpkins are also making an appearance at Antwerp Zoo and Planckendael Zoo.
From elephants to great apes, and even reptiles: the animals at both venues have just received pumpkins “as a surprise.”
There are no decorations for them, however, “but rather tasty enrichments, filled with new smells and flavours”, said the spokesman.
