While there are a lot of winter activities to be experienced during Winter in Antwerp, Belgium is not known for its wintery climate. So we decided to bring the Northern Lights from the North Pole to Antwerp. Using more than 100 haze machines and laser mapping, we created a spectacular Aurora Borealis the size of a dazzling 25 football fields, covering the city center. As an impactful way to kick-off Winter in Antwerp. Through this stunt the aim was to announce the start of this fantastic event. And to make sure that the Belgian media and everyone in Antwerp were informed about it.

During the simulation of the Aurora Borealis the boat traffic on the river Scheldt was blocked to be able to achieve an optimal result when recreating the Northern Lights. At several locations on the riverbanks we placed more than 100 haze machines and laser mapping technology. This way we were able to create Northern Lights covering a large part of the riverbanks combined with a magical view on the city of Antwerp. The Northern Lights were presented with a soundtrack played live for the occasion. What resulted in a never seen fairy-like winter experience in Antwerp.

At about 80.000 people came to see the Northern Lights, sharing their experience on social media. And all major Belgian newspapers reported on the Northern Lights in Antwerp: Het Laatste Nieuws, De Standaard, Het Nieuwsblad and the Gazet Van Antwerpen. In total, this edition of Winter in Antwerp attracted 600.000 visitors. And the Northern Lights in Antwerp became talk of the city.