Tulip festival

This spring, the historic tulips in the garden of Rubenshuis will be in bloom for the first time. From the beginning of April, admire the first specimens. Until mid-May, 1240 bulbs of 22 unique tulip varieties can be seen alternately. We will kick off the tulip season on Saturday 5 April with a grand Tulip Festival. Check the programme below.

Lecture: Antwerp's tulip fanatics in Rubens’ day

11am

Garden curator Klara Alen digs deeper into the link between the opulence of tulips in the 17th century and Peter Paul Rubens.

Info & tickets

Children's workshop

Between 10.45am and 12.15pm

Between 2pm and 5pm

Are you wondering what to do with the children during the lecture? Say no more! Your children can participate in a creative workshop, focused on the tulip fanatics.

In the afternoon your children can join a drop-in workshop. Bet they will be amazed by the tulips and colours in the garden?

• For children aged 5 years and over.
• There is no need to book, just come whenever and for as long as you like.

Slow-art guided tours

Starts at 10am and 11.30am

A guide teaches you to look more carefully and slowly, paying attention to colour, movement and details. Ideal to reflect on the architectural beauty in Rubens' lush garden.

Info & tickets

Join the guided tour ‘A Sea of Tulips’

Starts at 2pm and 4pm

In this guided tour, attention is centred on Rubens’ versatility. On this special day, the focus lies on the thousands of tulips.

Info & tickets

Paper Splendor: Tulips by Isabelle de Borchgrave

Continuous from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the library

During tulip season, the Rubenshuis pays tribute to paper artist Isabelle de Borchgrave (1946-2024). Admire the enchanting floral display in the library and let yourself be carried away by the poetic power of her tulips in paper. 

Relief prints by Dirk Huyghe

Continuously from 10am to 6pm

Visitors discover one of the oldest printing techniques, by printing relief prints. Dirk Huyghe demonstrates his passion and skill at Rubenshuis, with engravings inspired by old species of tulip. We also help you to print your own relief print of the tulips.

As a graphic artist, who was once the artist in residence at the Rubens Castle for the festival ‘Stories Unfold’, Dirk is delighted to elaborate on relief printing using lino cuts, letter forms and stamps.

Impressed? You will also find some of his engravings in the museum shop!

Speed tour through Rubens’ garden

10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm and 4.30pm

During a quick and exciting tour, a guide shows you the garden highlights. At the end of the walk, you can sample some tea made with the exclusive selection of herbs from the garden.

· Free of charge

· Without booking! First come, first served.

Coffee bar in the garden

Continuously from 10am to 6pm

Sit back in one of the (rocking) chairs in the garden, buy a delicious coffee from the bar and ... enjoy! These are the ingredients for a magical moment in Rubens' garden.

When

Saturday 5 April 2025

Location

Rubenshuis, Hopland 13, 2000 Antwerp

Price

The price is the cost of garden entry. If an extra ticket is required for an activity, this is stated.

I will book my garden ticket now

Important

• The Tulip festival is held outdoors: be sure to dress appropriately.

Do you have a practical question?

Check out the frequently asked questions