Things to do in Ghent today and this weekend

Start at the Sint-Baafskathedraal and the Ghent Altarpiece, go up the Belfry and walk to the Sint-Michielsbrug for the three towers in a row. Have lunch on the Graslei, climb the Gravensteen and walk through the Patershol. In the evening there is a concert in De Bijloke or the Vooruit.

Go indoors: the Ghent Altarpiece in the cathedral, the MSK and S.M.A.K. in the Citadelpark, STAM on the Bijloke site or the Huis van Alijn on the Kraanlei. The rainy-day page lists what is indoors, with what is on there next.

The Gentse Winterfeesten run from Thursday 3 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 on the squares between Sint-Baafsplein and Korenmarkt, with a ferris wheel on the Korenmarkt and an ice rink under the Stadshal. The market opens at noon on weekdays and 11:00 at weekends, and closes early (17:00) on 24 and 31 December. Entry is free; skating costs extra.

Walk across the aerial photo of the city in STAM and follow its children's trail, look at the street games and the puppet theatre in the Huis van Alijn, and climb the walls of the Gravensteen. Under-18s go free in the MSK. In December the ice rink of the Winterfeesten is under the Stadshal, and Museum Night on 3 December has activities for children.

Students go out in the Overpoort, near the university. The Vlasmarkt, with Charlatan and Kinky Star, and the Oude Beestenmarkt draw a mixed crowd until late. For techno and house there is Kompass Klub, and for concerts the Vooruit and Ha Concerts.

Start at the Sunday markets: the flower market on the Kouter, the book market on the Ajuinlei and the second-hand market at Bij Sint-Jacobs. Then visit a museum, the cathedral or the Gravensteen, or take a boat trip from the Graslei.

The Gentse Feesten 2027 run from Friday 16 to Sunday 25 July 2027: ten days of free concerts, theatre and street acts all over the centre.