Visit to Ghent over Christmas

Posted by Diane (Bay Area, CA) on 08/31/26 06:57 PM

For a change, our family of four (including our two adult kids) will be spending the holidays in Europe. We’ll be in London first and then would like to head somewhere not too far away but with a different vibe—somewhere we can wander, explore, hang out, eat, and really soak up the historical atmosphere, somewhere very different from home in California.

I’ve landed on Ghent as a possible base. We’ve already been to (and really liked) Antwerp and Bruges. We’re envisioning time exploring Ghent itself, along with a day trip or two, weather permitting. We’ll have four days.

I’m hoping for input from those who have been to Ghent over the holidays. What is it like beyond the Christmas market, and what can we expect to actually be open? Does Ghent make sense as a four-day base, or would you suggest somewhere else?

Also, re: lodging, it seems Hotel Harmony comes highly recommended by the RS folks here. Any other lodging options you’d suggest for a family of four staying for four nights?

thanks in advance!

Posted by Pat

San Diego, California

08/31/26 08:12 PM

7304 posts

An idea closer to London- Edinburg has a great New Year's Eve Celebration. Have a great time.

Posted by CJean

Ontario, Canada

08/31/26 08:14 PM

7683 posts

The "Holidays" covers everything from Christmas Eve to Epiphany on Jan 6. Will you be in Ghent on Christmas day, or after?

Posted by Diane OP

Bay Area, CA

09/01/26 04:22 AM

35 posts

We'll be in London for maybe 4 days (12/19-23), then on to the next location, hopefully Ghent, from roughly 12/23-12/26 or 27.

We thought about Edinburgh, but that sounded like a really cold location for end of Dec! Am I wrong?

Posted by Andrea 🌎

Sacramento, California U.S.A.

09/02/26 04:57 AM

11746 posts

Edinburgh and Ghent can both be cold. I was in Ghent as a day trip from Bruges in early December 2023 and it was so cold I bought a warmer scarf at a Christmas market. My friend did the same. Weather is unpredictable.

Posted by Kim

Paris 🇫🇷

09/02/26 06:52 AM

11598 posts

But the fact of it being cold in Belgium in December is pretty much a given !

Posted by PlannerMom

Wisconsin, USA

09/02/26 05:48 PM

218 posts

We (parents and two teens) stayed at Place2stay in June. Two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room, very clean, and a good location. I think they have several different aparthotel setups. But no front desk or elevator and they sent an email with the link to pay by credit card. I would stay there again.

Posted by Tim

Wyckoff, NJ, USA

09/02/26 07:23 PM

8816 posts

If you are thinking of Ghent as a four-day base, then the distance and/or transit coverage of the hotel-train station is important. St. Bavo's is normally a 7-days a week attraction, but I don't know about the rest of the place on Christmas. On Mondays, Ghent is pretty dead. (Have been there.) Check whether both train stations are back open. Any way to research church or other holiday music performances?

Gent is physically attractive, and busy. But maybe you want to be ready for train days to places that are also pretty when some things are closed, like Mechelen, Leuven, Lier, and maybe Turnhout. But they are smaller cities. I saw that you have already been to Antwerp, but that's a very rich target. Do you have more to see there?

Posted by KnightRd

Belgium

09/03/26 02:17 AM

59 posts

Ghent works fine as a 4-day base over the holidays. The Gentse Winterfeesten (Christmas market) runs Dec 3, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027, spread from Sint-Baafsplein along Korenmarkt, open until midnight most nights. Christmas Day and NYE have shortened hours (afternoon/early evening only), so don't plan a big market outing that morning.

Beyond the market: ice rink under the Stadshal, a "Winter Wonderland" at Gravensteen castle, and nice light displays around the historic core after dark. St. Bavo's is normally open daily, so you should still catch the Ghent Altarpiece just confirm hours closer to your dates since some sites trim hours on the 25th.

One tip: Mondays are quiet in Ghent (many museums closed), so if one of your days falls on a Monday, make that your day-trip day instead. Also worth checking that both train stations run normal holiday schedules on the 25th/26th. Mechelen and Leuven are both under an hour away and good options if you want a day out.

Hotel Harmony is a solid pick, also worth considering the Ghent Marriott (canal-front, family-friendly) or an aparthotel like Place2Stay if you'd rather have a kitchen and separate bedrooms for four people over four nights.

Hope you have a wonderful trip, enjoy Ghent!