8 Things to Know Before Visiting the Ghent Christmas Market

Best Market Locations from Sint-Baafsplein to Korenmarkt

Ghent does not have one central market. Instead, roughly 150 wooden stalls are spread across several connected squares in the pedestrianized city center. Sint-Baafsplein is the traditional heart of the event, framed by the Belfry, St Bavo's Cathedral, and the City Theater. You'll find handmade gifts, crafts, fairground rides, and the outdoor ice skating rink here. Combine your trip with the brussels christmas market which is only 30 minutes away by train.

The Korenmarkt hosts the 44-meter Grand Soleil Ferris wheel and the liveliest food stalls. Street performers and magicians appear here regularly. Klein Turkije is a smaller side street worth seeking out — it's home to the Husky Bar, a glass pavilion serving hot drinks and tapas. Many people compare this market to the bruges christmas market nearby, but Ghent feels less packaged and more like a city living its own festive life.

Botermarkt sits adjacent to the historic Belfry and City Hall. The Moose Bar here is a popular spot for après-ski style drinks by the fireplace. Most visitors walk between all four zones in under ten minutes. Graslei and Korenlei — the cobbled canal-side streets — are beautifully lit at night and worth a detour even if you skip the stalls entirely.

Must-Try Flemish Treats and Seasonal Drinks

Food is a central part of the Ghent Christmas market experience, and the city takes it seriously: at least one quarter of all food stalls must offer organic, vegetarian, or fair-trade options by official policy. Start with cuberdons — cone-shaped purple candies nicknamed "Ghent noses" for their distinctive shape. They have a hard shell and a soft raspberry center, and are sold almost exclusively in Ghent.

Warm up with a glass of Glühwein or Glühkriek, the cherry-infused Belgian variant. Belgian Christmas beers like Bush De Noël are worth seeking out in the local beer cafés — Waterhuis aan de Bierkant, De Trollekelder, and De Dulle Griet are three classic spots. Jenever, the traditional gin-like spirit, comes in dozens of flavors and a small glass typically costs €3–5.

For food, the fluffiest waffles in the market area are found at Max, the Art Deco-style eatery just across from the City Pavilion. Speculoos — the crunchy spice biscuit with cloves, nutmeg, and cardamom — appears in bakeries across the city. Bûche de Noël, the rolled log-shaped cream cake, is the seasonal Belgian pastry to try with coffee. Savory options include thick Belgian fries with mustard and grilled sausages from street stalls throughout the market.

Top Winter Activities: Boat Tours and Light Trails

Canal boat tours depart from Graslei and typically last 40–50 minutes, taking in Gravensteen, St Bavo's Cathedral, the Belfry, and St Nicholas' Church. In winter, choose a glass-sided covered boat rather than an open-top option to stay dry. The tours provide an entirely different perspective on the illuminated medieval houses and guild halls lining the water. See the Ghent Magical Evening Light Trail for the official map of the nightly walking route.

The city's 3.2km evening light trail takes about two hours to complete on foot. It follows the historic center and turns on automatically at sunset every night throughout winter. Ghent developed a dedicated Light Plan in 1998 to illuminate its buildings using energy-efficient lighting, and the effect during the Christmas market is particularly striking along the canals.

Children enjoy the outdoor ice skating rink near the City Pavilion — there is a dedicated section for young children, with training sessions on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Skate rentals are available on-site. The giant Ferris wheel remains the most iconic winter activity in town; a single adult ride costs approximately €8. There is also a carousel near Gravensteen and fairground rides outside St Bavo's Cathedral.

The Gravensteen Castle Winter Wonderland Experience

Gravensteen — the Castle of the Counts — is one of Ghent's most striking buildings. The medieval stone fortress dates from 1180, built for the Counts of Flanders on the site of an older wooden castle. For the Winter Wonder Castle event (4 December 2026 to 3 January 2027), the cold stone interiors are transformed with Christmas trees, elegant chandeliers, garlands, and candlelit dining tables. The intimate winter bar inside the vaulted medieval stables is open to non-ticket-holders and is one of the best spots in the city for a hot chocolate.

Tickets should be booked online in advance during the holiday season — demand is high and walk-up availability is limited. Evening visits are particularly atmospheric when the castle is fully lit. See the Gravensteen Castle Winter Info for current ticket prices. The view from the top of the keep across Ghent's rooftops — past the three towers of St Nicholas' Church, St Bavo's Cathedral, and the Belfry — is worth the climb alone.

St Bavo's Cathedral and the Belfry: Indoor Highlights

When December rain sets in — and it will, with an average of 19 wet days in the month — Sint-Baafsplein offers two world-class indoor options within steps of each other. St Bavo's Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal) is free to enter, and the interior includes a marble pulpit, a Rubens painting, and the world-famous Ghent Altarpiece: a 24-panel Renaissance masterpiece painted by the Van Eyck brothers in 1432. A separate entrance fee applies to see the altarpiece with its augmented reality tour; booking in advance is strongly recommended as it sells out. Special Christmas concerts and Midnight Mass on 24 December are held here throughout the festive period.

The Belfry next door is a UNESCO World Heritage site dating from the 14th century — at 91 metres it is the tallest belfry in Belgium. A lift runs from the first floor, so you don't need to climb all 300 steps. From the top, you get a bird's-eye view directly over the Christmas market stalls below. Inside the tower, look out for the carillon: a musical instrument made of 54 bells that plays different tunes automatically every 15 minutes. Climb around sunset and you'll hear it ring over the lights of the market.

Essential Logistics: Getting There, Getting Around, and What to Pack

Ghent is straightforward to reach by train. Direct services from Brussels Central and Brussels Midi to Gent-Sint-Pieters take under 30 minutes. From Brussels Airport, take a direct train (around 60 minutes) or transfer at Brussels Midi for a faster connection. From the UK, a direct Eurostar from London St Pancras reaches Brussels Midi in 2 hours; then it's under 30 minutes onward to Ghent. Bruges is also under 30 minutes away, making a dual-city day trip very easy.

From Gent-Sint-Pieters station, the city center is a 25-minute walk or a short tram ride. Tram lines T1, T3, and T4 all run from the station to the center — T1 and T22 stop at Korenmarkt, placing you directly at the market. Buy your ticket before boarding at the Lijnwinkel ticket shop at the station or from platform vending machines; you can also pay contactless on the tram. A single ticket costs €3. A 10-journey lijnkaart is better value for multiple trips. In December, public transport is free on designated Shopping Sundays — check the De Lijn website for the exact dates, as this applies city-wide and is not widely advertised to visitors.

Packing correctly matters more in Ghent than most December destinations. A high-quality waterproof coat is non-negotiable. The cobblestone streets get slippery in rain, so bring waterproof walking boots with grip. Carry a compact umbrella for the frequent light showers. Thermal layers help when moving between cold squares and warm indoor market stalls. If you plan Christmas Eve dinner at a Ghent restaurant, book it weeks ahead — the best places fill up fast.

Comparison: Ghent vs. Bruges Christmas Markets

Many travelers wonder if they should choose Ghent or Bruges for a Belgian winter trip. Bruges is world-famous, compact, and has a strong fairytale-postcard atmosphere. However, it becomes extremely crowded on December weekends — queues form at popular spots and the streets feel packed. Ghent's market is larger, spread across more squares, and draws a more local crowd. The atmosphere is festive without feeling like a theme park. Check the bruges christmas market guide for a detailed breakdown of what each city does differently.

On crowd levels, Ghent wins clearly. On ease of navigation, Bruges is slightly simpler — it's a smaller city. On food variety, Ghent offers more because it is a larger city with a strong student food culture. On "fairytale" visual appeal, both cities deliver, but Ghent's three towers framing the market squares are arguably a more dramatic backdrop. Both are under 30 minutes apart by train, so visiting both on the same trip is entirely practical.