Gentse Winterfeesten
Ghent's winter festival with 150+ wooden chalets winding through the historic centre plus an ice rink and ferris wheel, and from 2026 onward running until the last Sunday of the Christmas holidays.
ⓘ Recurring event. The 2026 date is the usual window; confirm the exact date closer to the event.
Position Gentse Winterfeesten as a must-visit European winter destination combining historic charm with festive attractions, driving holiday travel bookings and seasonal spending.
- 150+ wooden chalets through Ghent's medieval streets—a winter market lover's dream
- Ice skating + ferris wheel + holiday shopping in one historic city centre
- Extended 2026 season: plan your winter escape through early January
- Festive family day-trip or weekend getaway from across Europe
The Gentse Winterfeesten transforms the historic heart of Gent into a sprawling winter festival with over 150 wooden stalls stretching from Sint-Baafsplein to Korenmarkt . The festival attracted 2.5 million visitors in the last edition, making it Gent's most-visited event . From 2026, the festival will no longer end on 31 December but on the last Sunday of the Christmas holidays . [ " More than 150 wooden chalets spread across Sint-Baafsplein, Botermarkt, Klein Turkije and Korenmarkt ", " Ice-skating rink under the Stadshal, Ferris wheel offering panoramic city views, and carousel ", " Gravensteen castle transformed into a Winter Wonderland castle ", " Culinary offerings from Belgian treats to international flavours including Peruvian cuisine and Asian specialties ", " Cosy Christmas chalets, festive atmosphere and entertainment throughout ", " Free entry; costs only for rides, food and special events " ]
Ben jij op zoek naar een leuke flexi- of studentenjob dit najaar, of werk je als freelancer en heb je een grote verantwoordelijkheidszin? Dan hebben wij de ideale job voor jou, want wij zijn op zoek naar plein- en barverantwoordelijken op de Gentse Winterfeesten. ❄️ 👉 Je bent verantwoordelijk, kan
De OMER. chalet staat van 4 tot 31 december op het Sint-Baafsplein tijdens de Gentse Winterfeesten. Kom langs voor veel sfeer, gezelligheid en natuurlijk een lekkere OMER. Met onze kraslotjes maak je bovendien kans op een gepersonaliseerd glas!
🥃 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐣𝐚𝐡 𝐕𝐢𝐞𝐮𝐱, your ideal bourbon cocktail! 🍒 Created in house at Missy Sippy. 🍸 A wintery twist on the original 𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝. Stirred with 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐣𝐚𝐡 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐠 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧 and a hint of maraschino. Finished with a sweet cherry and a curl of orange peel. Smooth, slo
Gun jezelf een feestperiode vol rust, luxe en genot. Bij Van der Valk Gent geniet je van culinaire verwennerij, stijlvolle overnachtingen en een betoverende sfeer. Van kerst tot oud & nieuw, elk detail is tot in de puntjes verzorgd. Zo vier je de feestdagen écht in stijl 🎄
🎉 Volumedeals mag voor het tweede jaar op rij de Gentse Winterfeesten beleveren! ❄️✨ Onze Laurent ging alvast op klantenbezoek de sfeer gaan opsnuiven in Gent 🙈 *Disclaimer: Deze mooie traditie wordt natuurlijk niet verboden (parodie van VTM tijdens COVID) 😄
Notable campaigns1
- Belgian Lottery (Loterie Nationale): Sponsors and covers major Ghent events including Gentse Feesten; leverages event content for branded content marketing with CTA to online gaming hub.
Campaign ideas8
- Sponsor a 'Brand Lounge' chalet with exclusive tastings (food/beverage brands especially well-positioned—think Belgian breweries, chocolate makers, coffee roasters).
- Launch a limited-edition holiday product tie-in (packaging, flavors, or bundles) with Gentse Winterfeesten branding; sell exclusively at market stalls.
- Create an Instagram filter or AR experience tied to iconic Ghent architecture (Three Towers, Ferris wheel) with brand callout; encourage #GentseWinterfeesten shares.
- Host a student night takeover (mid-week late-night activation) targeting Ghent's large university population; DJ set, drink specials, photo booth.
- Partner with local craft vendors for a co-branded gift box or 'artisan collection' bundle—position your brand as champion of handmade/local.
- Sponsor ice rink entry or hot drink stations with branded cups; create a social moment around the winter experience (skating selfies, warmth).
- Run a 'Countdown to Winterfeesten' email/SMS campaign to locals 3 weeks prior with early-bird offers or exclusive preview access.
- Launch a cause-driven angle: donate a % of festival sales to a winter/holiday charity; emphasize warmth & community (resonates with Ghent's vibe).
Social angles6
- "Gent's best-kept winter secret ❄️ We're at the Gentse Winterfeesten until Dec 31—grab your [product] and embrace the magic. #GentseWinterfeesten #WinterWonderland"
- "Hot chocolate. Ice skating. Handmade gifts. That's the Gentse Winterfeesten energy. ✨ Join us under the Three Towers. #GhentWinter #LocalBelgium"
- "Student vibes meet medieval charm 🎄 Late-night chalets, craft beers, and 150+ stalls. Ghent's festival hits different. #GentseWinterfeesten #GhentNightlife"
- "Medieval city. Modern festival. 150+ wooden chalets spread across historic Sint-Baafsplein, Korenmarkt & beyond. This is winter done right. #GhentChristmas #WinterFeels"
- "Ferris wheel views over illuminated spires. Ice rink beneath the Stadshal. Roasted chestnuts & mulled wine. 🎡❄️ Gentse Winterfeesten starts Dec 4. #CozyWinter #BelgianChristmas"
- "We're bringing [artisan/local/craft ethos] to the Gentse Winterfeesten. Limited-edition [product] available exclusively at [location]. #SupportLocal #GentseWinterfeesten"
Ad copy starters5
“"Escape to Ghent's Winter Wonderland. 150 chalets, ice skating & craft beer. Dec 4–Jan 3. #GentseWinterfeesten"”
“"Medieval spires. Modern magic. Discover Europe's coziest Christmas market in Ghent."”
“"Handmade gifts. Roasted chestnuts. Late-night chalets with 3,000+ students. Gentse Winterfeesten starts now."”
“"[Your Brand] is bringing warmth to Ghent's coldest nights. Find us at the Winterfeesten."”
“"Ferris wheel selfies, hot chocolate, & no crowds. Ghent's festival > Brussels' crowds. Winterfeesten.be"”
Tips4
- Lean into Ghent's underdog positioning vs. Brussels/Bruges—emphasize authenticity, student energy, less touristy vibe, and local artisan focus. Brands that champion 'real' over 'Instagram-perfect' will resonate.
- Target late-night (weekends especially): The festival stays open until 1am with a strong student/après-ski bar culture. Evening activations (DJ sets, happy hours, photo opportunities) outperform daytime approaches.
- Bundle food/beverage with experience: This is a market where people spend on drinks and treats. Sponsoring the ice rink, hot-drink stations, or food chalets is more effective than abstract brand presence.
- Run a 3-week lead-up campaign: Festival awareness peaks in early Dec. Start email, social, & paid ads in mid-November; localize messaging to Ghent/Flanders residents (many day-trip visitors).