Ghent flies under the radar compared to Bruges and Brussels, but the Gentse Winterfeesten (Ghent Winter Festival) is one of Belgium’s best Christmas events. Over 150 wooden chalets wind through a medieval centre framed by the Three Towers of Sint-Baafskathedraal, the Belfry, and Sint-Niklaaskerk, and the whole city stays open until midnight most nights.
Ghent Christmas Market 2026
Dates
Status: Confirmed
Ghent dates: 3rd December 2026 to 3rd January 2027
Last checked: July 2026
Update: Dates were announced in February. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of changes.
Source: Verified by Ultimate Christmas Markets via Visit Gent.
Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Location: Sint-Baafsplein and surrounding streets.
Opening times:
Monday to Thursday: 12pm to midnight.
Friday: 12pm to 1am.
Saturday: 11am to 1am.
Sunday: 11am to midnight.
Christmas Eve: 11am to 5pm.
Christmas Day: 2pm to midnight.
New Year’s Eve: 11am to 5pm.
Travel and Accommodation
Recommended tour: This is the most popular city tour of Ghent.
Public transport: Tram: T1 or T3 to Gent Vogelmarkt or Gent Zonnestraat. Tickets: €2.50
Parking: Ghent city centre is a low-emission zone. Foreign cars must register. Please walk or take public transport to help limit congestion.
Travel tips: Go inside Sint-Baafskathedraal (Saint Bavo’s Cathedral) at Sint-Baafsplein to see the famous Lam Gods (Ghent Altarpiece).
Where to stay: 1898 The Post is an incredible, unique hotel around the corner from the market.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Free.
Winter Wonderland Castle: At Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts). Book tickets.
Lights: Not yet announced.
Santa: Yes, plus reindeer and polar bears.
Ferris wheel: Grand Soleil at Sint-Baafsplein.
Ice skating: At the Stadshal (City Pavilion). 4th to 31st December. Book tickets.
Reason to Visit: Ghent is stunning, the market is compact, and it’s slightly less touristy than Bruges or Brussels.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Food specialties: Gentse waterzooi (creamy chicken or fish stew), cuberdons (cone-shaped raspberry and violet sweets known locally as neuzekes or “little noses”), Tierenteyn mustard, kroakemandels (salted and deep-fried peas), and Ghent pralines.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, but not recommended due to crowds.
Convenient Hotels
The areas around the canal in Ghent’s Old Town, Sint-Baafskathedraal, and Korenmarkt are all excellent locations for sightseeing and dining in Ghent. That’s why I recommended 1898 The Post, which is located in this area.
However, it’s not the most affordable option. This list of hotels in Ghent offers many excellent options across all budgets, which you might find more helpful.
Recommended Tours
A city tour is a great way to get an overview of Ghent, including its historical highlights and lesser-known neighbourhoods. This tour of Ghent is one of the most popular.
Alternatively, you might like this tour, which combines a city and food tour.
Read our complete guide to the Belgian Christmas Markets.
Visitor Feedback
What Visitors Loved
- The medieval backdrop is the standout. The market winds between Sint-Baafskathedraal, Het Belfort, and Sint-Niklaaskerk, and visitors consistently say the architecture elevates the experience beyond a typical Christmas market.
- Ghent draws fewer tourists than Bruges or Brussels, and visitors appreciate the more relaxed, local atmosphere. Several describe it as Belgium’s best-kept festive secret.
- The food variety is a highlight, particularly the international options alongside Belgian classics. Visitors single out the hot beer (try Chalet Chouffe near Sint-Niklaaskerk), speculoos hot chocolate, and freshly made waffles.
- The late opening hours set Ghent apart. Most stalls stay open until midnight on weekdays and 1am on weekends, giving the market a lively evening energy fuelled by the city’s large student population.
Common Complaints
- The Moose Bar and party chalets near the Belfry can get very loud in the evenings, particularly on weekends. Local residents have raised noise complaints, and the late-night atmosphere in these areas is more après-ski than traditional Christmas market.
- Some visitors found drink prices steep, and the cup deposit system (€2 per cup, refunded on return with receipt) has caused confusion and frustration when receipts are lost.
- The market is spread across a long, linear route from Sint-Baafsplein to Korenmarkt. While this is part of the charm, visitors with mobility concerns or small children note that it involves a lot of walking.
- Ghent’s December weather is cold and damp, with rain far more common than snow. Multiple visitors recommend dressing for wet conditions rather than the cold.
The Bottom Line
Ghent’s Christmas market is ideal if you want a festive atmosphere without the heavy crowds. Visit on a weekday evening for the best balance of atmosphere and space, and allow at least half a day to walk the full route from Sint-Baafsplein to Korenmarkt.
Event Location
Captured a moment that embodies the holiday season? Tag your photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets — we can’t wait to see your festive finds!
What to Expect
Start your visit at Sint-Baafskathedraal (Saint Bavo’s Cathedral), home to the Lam Gods (Adoration of the Mystic Lamb), one of the most important artworks in Europe. Continue along Botermarkt, a small street that passes Het Belfort van Gent, the famous 14th-century Belfry and Watchtower.
From here, follow the narrow street past Sint-Niklaaskerk (Saint Nicholas’ Church) through the Klein Turkije light tunnel for more market stalls. The market continues on Korenmarkt, not far from the historic bridges Sint-Michielsbrug and Grasbrug.
Beyond the market, Ghent has plenty to keep you busy during the winter months.
- Ice skating: The rink under the Stadshal (City Pavilion) returned in 2025 after several years as a roller rink. Book tickets here.
- Winter Wonderland Castle: Held at the incredible Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts). Book tickets and find opening times.
- Lights: In addition to traditional fairy lights, the city highlights its dragon mascot with special fiery installations. Ghent’s award-winning light plan makes the medieval centre particularly atmospheric after dark.
- Groot Vleeshuis (Great Butcher’s Hall): This medieval covered hall at Groentenmarkt specialises in local Flemish produce. Sample Gentse waterzooi, regional charcuterie, and artisan cheeses, or put together a gift hamper.
- Tierenteyn-Verlent: A 19th-century mustard shop on Groentenmarkt that still makes Ghent’s famous mustard in the traditional way. Worth a visit even if you’re not buying.
- Museums: The city’s museums, historic churches, monuments and the Belfry are worth visiting, especially on wet days.
Arriving by Eurostar
If you’re visiting from the UK via the Eurostar, note that your train ticket includes the local train from Brussels to Ghent’s Sint-Pieters station. You can find the train timetable here.
From the train station, take tram line 1 from platform 2 to Korenmarkt (platform 5). If you’re unsure, ask the information desk. Otherwise, if the weather is nice, it’s a scenic 30-minute walk to the old town.
Sustainability Tips
- Shop mindfully. Only purchase what you need.
- Walk, cycle and use public transport to get around.
- Stay in a sustainable hotel powered by renewable energy.
- Stay in hotels. Short-stay apartment accommodation can lead to a lack of affordable housing for locals.
Comment below if you want to leave a Xmas review, have any questions or would like to report any inaccuracies.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon as definitive. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
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