Indulge in the festive spirit of Ghent's Christmas market for a magical December day. Explore twinkling lights, savory treats, and artisanal crafts, immersing yourself in the holiday charm of this Belgian city.
Ah, the holiday season is finally here! And what better way to dive into the Christmas spirit than by exploring bustling markets filled with delicious food, festive drinks, and cheerful holiday tunes? Yes, as chaotic as it may sound, we love visiting as many Christmas markets as possible in December. In 2022, we visited Antwerp Christmas market and Maastricht Christmas market in 2022, as well as Frankfurt Christmas market in 2021. Now that we're based in the south of the Netherlands, we started searching for nearby options, and Ghent kept popping up. Having visited briefly before, we decided it was time to see if its Christmas market was worth a longer visit.
IN THIS GUIDE
GENERAL INFORMATION
OVERVIEW
It's clear that while Germans excel at Christmas markets, the Belgians are not far behind! In recent years, the charming city of Ghent has gained increasing recognition for its festive market, transforming into a winter wonderland each year. The historic city becomes a stunning backdrop, adorned with twinkling lights and featuring over a hundred wooden stalls offering traditional seasonal treats and unique handicrafts. The joyful atmosphere of the Ghent Christmas market is sure to enchant any Christmas lover. Kicking off in early December, it attracts thousands of visitors from Belgium and neighboring countries. To avoid the crowds, we recommend visiting on weekdays rather than weekends. For more details, visit the Ghent Tourist Office website.
CHRISTMAS MARKET DATES
The Ghent Christmas market runs from 5 December to 31 December, spreading festive cheer throughout December.
OPENING HOURS & admission
The Christmas market is open every day with the following schedule:
- Mon. to Thur.: from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.
- Friday: from 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Saturday: from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Sunday: from 11 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Admission to the Christmas market is free of charge, allowing everyone to enjoy the holiday magic without any cost.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS HISTORY
December markets in Europe started in the 13th century to help people stock up on meat and essential supplies for winter. These markets differ from the Christmas markets that emerged later in the Germanic Holy Roman Empire. In the 14th century, craftsmen like toy makers, basket weavers, and candy makers began setting up stalls called "Saint Nicholas markets". These markets offered small gifts and festive treats, such as roasted chestnuts and nuts. The Striezelmarkt in Dresden, which was established in 1434, is known as the first true Christmas market. It was originally held on Christmas Eve, allowing townspeople to buy food for their holiday meals after fasting during Advent, along with enjoying traditional religious performances.
This tradition of Christmas markets gradually spread beyond Germany, gaining popularity in various countries around the world, including Belgium. Today, Belgian cities host Christmas markets throughout the Advent season, offering a festive atmosphere filled with traditional food, drinks, and handmade gifts. These markets bring people together to celebrate the holiday season, welcoming all, regardless of religious beliefs.
In contrast to the long history of markets like Dresden or Frankfurt, the Ghent Christmas market began in the early 2000s but has quickly established itself as a cherished holiday tradition. While it may not have centuries of history behind it, Ghent’s market has embraced the festive spirit by blending Belgian customs with international influences. Over the years, it has become a highlight of the city’s winter season, attracting visitors with its mix of local crafts, seasonal treats, and various cultural events.
GETTING THERE
Ghent, a captivating Belgian city, offers multiple transportation options for travelers:
- By train: Ghent is easily accessible by train from major Belgian cities like Brussels, Antwerp, and Bruges. The Ghent-Sint-Pieters railway station is a primary hub for both domestic and international train services. With approximately 80 trains running daily, travelers can enjoy frequent service, with trains departing every 20 minutes on average. The train journey from Brussels to Ghent takes around 40 minutes, with tickets costing approximately 11 EUR.
- By car: Travelers can reach Ghent by car via major highways such as the E40 and E17. Several parking facilities are available in the city center, but be mindful of driving restrictions or low-emission zones. From Brussels, the drive to Ghent typically takes around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic conditions.
- By bus: Several bus companies operate routes to Ghent from neighboring towns and cities, providing another transportation option for travelers. Flixbus also offers long-distance bus services to Ghent from various European destinations, making it a convenient choice for those traveling from further afield.
Whichever mode of transportation you choose, accessing Ghent is convenient, allowing you to explore this charming city with ease.
THE CHRISTMAS MARKET
So overall Ghent is totally worth to visit in Christmas time. The city is magically decorated with not only beautiful Christmas lights but also true pine trees attached to light poles around the central part. Even the iconic Castle of the Counts got into the Holidays mood and adorned its medieval patio with Christmas tree and fake snow. By the way, a visit to the castle is highly recommended.
With all this jolly atmosphere around us, Ghent Christmas market wouldn't disappoint us. There are more than 150 wooden huts spread around its old town picturesque neighborhood and this is what makes it unique. All the market is framed by imposing medieval constructions: the St Bavo Cathedral, the Belfry of Ghent and the St Nicholas' Church (the saint who inspired the creators of Santa Clause). All this sensorial experience is completed with the scent of the Glühwein (mulled wine) and wooden fire and the many food options of seasonal food (raclette, tartiflette, smoked salmon, brätwurst, etc.). For those more adventurous, there is also an ice skating rink for you to burn some calories and a Ferris wheel to admire it all from above.
CASTLE OF THE COUNTS
Of course we couldn't visit Ghent and not see one of its most important monument. The Castle of the Counts (also know as Gravensteen) is the only preserved medieval castle in Flanders and maybe this has to do with its moat and rather developed defensive system.
Although the location had been fortified before due to its strategical location between two branches of the Lys rive, it is only in 1180 that Philip of Alsace built the current version of the castle. While it may be said that he might have been inspired by the crusader castles he witnessed during the Second Crusade, it is clear that the construction was meant to intimidate the merchants of Ghent who would often challenge the Count's authority. It served as the residence of the Counts of Flanders until 1353 after which it served as a court and a prison which explain why there is an extensive collection of torture instruments exhibited in the castle.
The best part for the Middle Age lovers is that all the castle is open to visit from the gatehouse and its ramparts to the count's residence and the stables. There is an audio guide which you can definitely not miss: it takes you through an immersive journey through the history of the castle while offering funny anecdotes and true facts about this iconic fortress.
| Opening hours - from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Admission - 10 EUR (audio guide included) |
FINAL THOUGHTS
To sum up, we were really glad to have chosen Ghent as one of our Christmas market destinations this year. Of course it will be overcrowded during the weekends and you might find things are a bit pricey in the market. However, we think Ghent succeeded to put up a pretty decent Christmas market experience really worth visiting while not losing its medieval charm.
And now it's your turn to let us know what you think about the city of Ghent. Have you every experienced it in December? We look forward to reading your comments in the section below.
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