On car-free Sunday in Leuven we organise the very first edition of a new event called maakleerfest. It’s the first event by the Leuven Learning Ecosystem (LLES) and will be held at maakleerplek. The ecosystem is a coöperation of Atelier Circuler, de drukkerij, maakleerplek and Campus Corso. All of them create informal learning opportunities in their own unique way.
During Car Free Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Maakleerplaats opens its doors to all Leuven residents. In Stapelhuisstraat (13/15) you can enjoy a snack, a drink, live music, numerous workshops and demonstrations, a makers’ market with handmade products and a panel program on sustainable themes.
The Leuven Learning Ecosystem is primarily a network that supports various organizations and non-profit organizations that each contribute in their own way to a more sustainable world. They all create informal learning environments where everyone is welcome to learn something new (cooking, sewing, working with a laser cutter, photography, electrical repair, woodworking, etc.). More information can be found at leuven.be/lles
Sunday 21st of September 2025 (Autovrije Zondag)
Stapelhuisstraat 13/15, Leuven
10:00-18:00
Accessibility: The location is equipped with an adapted toilet and a wheelchair lift (to the panel discussions). Stapelhuisplein is wheelchair accessible (stage + makers market). The courtyard consists of cobblestones and is therefore slightly less accessible.
Check out our Facebook event!
Program
Throughout the day you can participate in fascinating demos, initiations and workshops at maakleerfest. Participation is free, unless stated otherwise. You do need to register in advance for some workshops.
Courtyard
On the Binnenkoer you can get acquainted with the various labs that help shape the makerspace. Our enthusiastic employees and volunteers are happy to explain how they help build a sustainable future. And please come and do it yourself, because that is what we strongly believe in at Maakleerplaats!
| Activity | Orgnisation | Time | Age | What to expect? | Sign Up |
| ELEKTRO REPAIR HUB | ELEKTRO REPAIR HUB | Ongoing | / | Our repairers are busy all day long in the Elektro HerstelHub (Stapelhuisplein), where they tinker with broken coffee machines and vacuum cleaners that have already been brought in. They are happy to tell you how repairing electronic devices means a drastic reduction in the electronic waste mountain. | / |
| ESCAPE BOXES | ELEKTRO REPAIR HUB | Ongoing | 10+ | Can you crack open our toolbox? Have fun with this interactive escape game! | / |
| WORKSHOP INSECT HOTEL | TOOL LIBRARY | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Continuous connection possible) | All ages | In our tool library you can build your own insect hotel. | / |
| WORKSHOP CYANOTYPE | Graphic Lab | 14:00-15:00 (SOLD OUT) of 15:00-16:00 (SOLD OUT) | 6+ | In this workshop you can easily make a blueprint yourself, also called a “cyanotype”. Participation is free! | Sign up here! |
| WORKSHOP LETTERPRESS | Graphic Lab | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Continuous connection possible) | 3+ | Get started with letters and shapes to print colorful cards. This technique is very accessible, even for the smallest participants! | / |
| HIGH TECH LAB PRESENTS | High Tech Lab | Ongoing | All ages | Curious about what our ingenious makers from the HTL are doing? Check it out! | / |
| WORKSHOP WEAVING | Textile Lab | Ongoing | 5+ | In the courtyard you can join us all day long to weave a gigantic, communal piece. | / |
| WORKSHOP VISIBLE MENDING | Textile Lab | 14:00-18:00 | 7+ | In the TextielLab you can freely participate in a walk-in workshop “visible repair” between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. where you learn to process small textile repairs in a visible way into a creative eye-catcher. | / |
| INFOSTAND ATELIER CIRCULER | Atelier Circuler | Ongoing | All ages | Discover everything about the operation and activities of Atelier Circuler! | / |
Stapelhuisplein
| Activity | Orgnisation | Time | What to expect? |
| MAKER MARKET | LLES | Ongoing | Come take a look at our cozy Makers Market. From jewelry made from recycled materials to wood-pleated interiors, from glass art to 3D-printed gadgets, you will find a wide variety of makers here. Treat yourself! Or buy some unique end-of-year presents 😉 |
| LIVE MUSIC | LLES | 10:30 – 11:30 BLUT 12:15 – 13:15 Neutraal. 14:00 – 15:00 The Less The Better 15:45 – 16:45 Je Suis m’Apelle 17:15 – 18:00 PLANKTON | Our lineup covers a variety of music styles. Rock, punk, funk, reggae, rap,… All brought to you by local emerging artists. Definitely not to be missed! |
| FOOD & DRINKS | Foodatelier César, Mistral, Ijsbroers, Bar | Ongoing | Drinks at reasonable prices and surprising seasonings! At the bar you pay with special JETONS that you can buy at our cash register. Our catering partners work with their own cash register, so you don’t need tokens here! |
| MOBILE TINY HOUSE | Mirte (with de drukkerij) | 10:30 Walk from de drukkerij > maakleerplek 12:00-17:00 Come see Mirte’s tiny house at maakleerplek! 17:00 Walk from maakleerplek > de drukkerij | Architect Mirte Meneve investigates how much space we actually need to live comfortably and sustainably. To this end, she builds her own tiny houses, each with as little impact as possible and on the smallest possible surface area. |
Kantine (Panels)
Does circularity still sound a bit strange to you? Are you looking for practical tips and tricks to start your own life more sustainably? You can join us all day long in the Canteen of Maakleerplaats. Our various panel discussions each highlight a sustainable topic from different perspectives. Learn more about circular entrepreneurship or sustainable food, or participate in Changemakers Unite’s Sustainable Development Crash Course. DISCLAIMER: All panels will be in dutch.
| Panel | Moderator | Panel members | Time | Sign Up |
| LEUVEN CIRCULAIR | Jan Mertens (Groen) | Dienst Duurzaamheid Stad Leuven, Adriana (VoKa) | 10:00-10:45 | / |
| CIRCULAR CLOTHING INDUSTRY | Elke Jourand (MAAKbar) | Katleen Van De Poel (KU Leuven), Arno Vanermen (ViTES), Charlotte Vandierendonck (Studio D) | 11:00-11:45 | / |
| ACCESSIBLE FOOD POLICY AT SCHOOL | Naomi Dries (Rikolto) | Lalynn Wadera (Vooruit), Sara Laureys en Nils Vandeput (Pee&Nel), Brooddoosnodig | 12:00 – 12:45 | / |
| CRASH COURSE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT | Changemakers Unite! (David Belis, Olivier Torfs) | Publiek (Interactive session) | 14:00 – 15:30 | Schrijf je hier in (20 plaatsen) |
| HEALTHY MEALS IN SCHOOL | Naomi Dries (Rikolto) | Thomas Van Oppens (Groen), Foodatelier César, School | 17:00 – 17:45 | / |
More details about our program? Be sure to keep an eye on this page and/or our socials.