5 fun events in Flanders this week

Barrio Cantina
This outdoor street party features dozens of food trucks serving international and local specialities, cocktail bars, DJs spinning until late in the evening, and entertainment for the kids. This weekend it’s in Ostend; it travels to Ghent, Antwerp and Bruges on the following weekends. 12-14 May, Leopoldpark, Ostend; free 

Cirkl Circus Festival
Cirkus in Beweging, a circus school in Leuven, is the host for a weekend of breathtaking acts, exciting new talent, public workshops and entertainment. The festival is based in the Sluispark, with free performances and activities all day. Top international circus acts will be found under the big top (tickets required). 12-14 May, Sluispark and other locations, Leuven; free 

Free watersports day
Here’s your chance to try out a range of aquatic sports: sailing, surfing, kayaking, even stand-up paddle-boarding. A new rowing club will be inaugurated with a regatta, and afterwards everyone can try out rowing, too. If you want to try out watercaching (geocaching on the water), you’ll have to register in advance. 14 May 10.00-17.00, Schulensmeer, Demerstraat 60, Lummen; free 

Begijnhof Festival
This annual spring event kicks off the tourist season in Diest. The streets of the historic begijnhof will be filled with a culinary market featuring local products, hot food and cooking demos, as well as street theatre and activities. The visitor centre and windmill will also be open. 14 May 11.00-18.00, Begijnhof, Begijnenstraat, Diest; free 

Teen Talk: Seize the Day
Roman Krznaric is a founding member of the School of Life and founder of the world’s first Empathy Museum. Using history, philosophy and science, he talks about how we can recapture the art of living in the moment. Register online. (For ages 14-18, in English.) 15 May 17.00-18.30, Muntpunt, Munt 6, Brussels; free

Photo courtesy Barrio Cantina