The smell of grass after a hot day, the twittering of birds at dusk, and then suddenly: music. On Summer Nights, ARTIS transforms into a park like you've never seen before. No rush, no map. Just go. Wandering among the enclosures, a pizza in one hand, a spritz in the other, heading for the Music Tent where the first chords sound.
Every Saturday there is something different on the program. From jazzy singer-songwriters to sultry world music - always live, always in the middle of the greenery. Artists like Laura Sjin, Méraque and Philine turn the zoo into an intimate outdoor stage, with flamingos as accidental extras.
But there's more. Every hour an activity starts somewhere in the park: a tour of monumental buildings, a workshop for children, or a walk along the edible garden. And for those who prefer to be quiet: nestle in the grass with a blanket and let the sounds around you carry you away - animal sounds, soft voices, music.
"You come for the animals, stay for the music, and go home with a head full of stars and a heart full of summer."
Hungry? No problem. Scattered throughout the grounds you'll find food stalls serving vegetarian street food, freshly prepared pizzas and drinks that taste like vacations. Everything on the bonnet - as it should be on summer nights like this.