Fans of flea markets, antiques and out-of-the-ordinary objects? We’ve got something for you. An hour and a half from Brussels, in Genk, De Duystere Markt will titillate and stir your spirit. It’s Europe’s largest fair dedicated to curiosities, dark art and other oddities.
Europe’s largest curio fair in Genk
Skulls, skeletons, taxidermy, framed insects... You’re not in Fort Boyard, but in a XXL curiosity show. Every year, De Duystere Markt invites artists, craftsmen, specialists and connoisseurs from all over Europe to transform the strange and macabre into art.
On site, you’ll also find handmade jewelry, photography, steampunk and dark art, an artistic genre exploring dark themes of existence, often with a macabre, shocking or intriguing aesthetic. If you’re a fan of Goya or Tim Burton, you’re in for a real treat.
Thor Central: an exceptional art deco building transformed into an exhibition center
But beyond the exhibitors, the market is transformed into a truly immersive experience thanks to a host of events. On the program: bewitching concerts, artistic performances that challenge your mind, or an exhibition that’s completely out of the ordinary. Strange, captivating, disconcerting… As you can see, this is a completely different world, far removed from the atmosphere of Christmas markets. It all comes to life in an exceptional building. Transformed into an exhibition and event center, Thor Central was originally the art deco headquarters of a former mining company.
On Saturday, December 14, the doors open from 1 pm to 10 pm for a nocturnal plunge into the bizarre, while on Sunday, December 15, the organizers welcome you from 10 am to enjoy the market in full light. And if the adventure doesn’t spoil your appetite, you can take advantage of the various bars and food trucks between two unusual discoveries. Entrance prices range from 19 to 37.50 euros.
Whether you’re simply curious, a lover of oddities or a dark art enthusiast, this market is a must. It’s the perfect place to get away from it all and discover a world where the strange becomes art. Here, every stand holds a surprise. And this year, according to the official poster, clowns are in the spotlight. So, are you ready to push open the door to Europe’s biggest curiosity market?
📅 Date: December 14 and 15
📍 Address: André Dumontlaan 67, 3600 Genk
🎟️ Price: 19 – 37.50 euros