Things to do in Mechelen today and this weekend

Climb the 538 steps of St Rumbold's Tower, walk across the Grote Markt and spend the late morning in Museum Hof van Busleyden. In the afternoon follow the Dijlepad from the Haverwerf to the Kruidtuin (from April to October the 45-minute boat trip leaves from the Haverwerf), and end the day on a terrace on the Vismarkt.

Go indoors: Kazerne Dossin, Museum Hof van Busleyden, the Toy Museum or Het Kunstuur (Belgian art from 1850 to 1950). The Lumière cinema and the Ice Skating Center are open too. The rainy-day page lists what is indoors, with what is on there next.

From 4 to 24 December 2026, on the Korenmarkt, the Haverwerf, the Van Beethovenstraat and the Vismarkt (not on the Grote Markt). It is open on Fridays 17:00–23:30, Saturdays 14:00–23:30 and Sundays 14:00–21:00, from 21 to 23 December 14:00–22:30 and on 24 December 14:00–17:00.

The Toy Museum has its Stinkhond exhibition until 3 January 2027, and St Rumbold's Tower has a quest on every floor. From 21 to 29 November children search the town hall for Sinterklaas in Sintstad (tickets needed). Outside the centre there are ZOO Planckendael and Technopolis, the science centre.

The Vismarkt by the Dijle is lined with cafés and terraces; the IJzerenleen and the Grote Markt are close by. For live music go to De Club on the Douaneplein or nona. In winter Mirage Winter puts up a tent in the town hall courtyard (10 December 2026 to 9 January 2027), and Moose Bar opens on Friday and Saturday nights from 13 November.

The tower, the museums and the boat trips (in season) are open, and the carillon plays from St Rumbold's Tower on Sunday afternoons. On the first and third Sunday of the month there is also a carillon concert at 11:00 at the Church of Our Lady across the Dijle, and on the first Sunday the shops open from 13:00 to 18:00.

In Mechelen, from 18 to 24 December 2026, at the De Nekker sports and recreation centre.

Maanrock 2027 runs from Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 August 2027, free, in the centre of Mechelen.