The Winter Fest in Ghent opens at 6 p.m. this evening. The city expects around 2.5 million visitors over the next 28 days. The most striking new feature is a comeback: the ice rink is back after a three-year absence. There’s also children's entertainment every day and a Christmas market with over 150 stalls.
What can I do in Ghent?
Ghent is preparing for a large influx of visitors in the coming weeks. The Winter Fest traditionally attract tourists from home and abroad. Many Ghent residents also come to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere. The number of visitors is estimated at 2.5 million people.
Organiser Look-I-Like is once again providing an ice rink. Three long years, a roller skating rink replaced the ice rink as an alternative as the city council wanted to save money during the energy crisis. In the meantime, ice rinks have become more sustainable and cheaper.
There is a Christmas market with over 150 stalls spread over the Korenmarkt, Klein Turkije, the Emile Braunplein and the Sint-Baafsplein. If you are thirsty, there are 10 pop-up bars and dozens of food stalls.
In addition to the ice rink, there are six other attractions in the city centre. The Korenmarkt has the largest, the Ferris wheel, and the smallest, the carousel. People who want a souvenir can take a photo in two photo booths. There is extra entertainment every day. The programme in Dutch can be found on the website .
How much does a visit cost?
Admission is free, but you have to pay on site for some attractions and refreshments. For example, a ride on the Ferris wheel costs 10 euros for an adult and 6 euros for a child under 12 years of age.
The ice rink is subject to a charge. A standard ticket, including skate hire, costs €12. If you prefer, you can also bring your own skates. The opening hours of the ice rink are slightly different from those of the Winter Fest, so please check before you plan your visit.
There are no standard prices for food and drinks. The stallholders are free to set their own prices. Reusable cups are also used at the Christmas market.
How do I get there?
The event is concentrated in Ghent's historic city centre and is accessible by public transport and bicycle. There is an additional temporary bicycle parking facility for 400 bicycles at the Sint-Baafsplein. There are additional bicycle racks in the Limburgstraat and at the town hall.
People who do come by car can use car parks on the outskirts or Park+Ride facilities. The organiser also guarantees that the event is wheelchair accessible.
When can I go?
The Winter Fest starts on 4 December at 6 p.m. On Fridays, the festival zone is open from noon to 1 a.m., on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to midnight. On weekdays, the event starts at noon and closes at midnight.
On 24 and 31 December, the Winter Fest will run from 12 noon to 5 p.m. The event will end on 31 December. From next year onwards, the city will extend the Winter Fest into January, running until the end of the Christmas holidays.