Public transport and cycling are the best ways to reach the Ghent Festivities.
The Ghent Festivities, an annual event that attracts both locals and visitors from all over Flanders and beyond, will start this year on Friday at 18 p.m. The festivities will last ten days and nights, without international stars or fireworks, but with an impressive number of 150.000 visitors per day. This number is considerably higher than the visitor numbers of popular festivals such as Werchter or Tomorrowland. The Ghent Festivities do not need real headliners to attract a large audience.
This year there is once again a lot of attention to safety and inclusivity. A reporting point for cross-border behavior is being set up together with Trefpunt, Vlasmarkt and FLOW Ghent. This hotline will have a new location at Bibliotheekstraat 1, between Sint-Jacobs and Baudelohof, and will be open every day from 23.30:8.30 PM to XNUMX:XNUMX AM. Victims of undesirable behavior or discrimination can go here anonymously. In addition, bar staff, square managers and Red Cross employees receive special training to receive and support victims. The message from the organizers is clear: “No means no, only yes is OK.”
The 2024 edition is set up on a large scale with 501 organizers who together organize 3.509 activities, of which 2.419 start before 18 p.m. More than 548 activities are available for children and young people, ranging from play workshops to creative sessions. Also there are 258 activities in Ghent, such as folk revues and walks, which offer a wide range of cultural experiences.
The city of Ghent strives to make the Ghent Festivities accessible to everyone. There is intensive collaboration between the accessibility officer, various city services, square organizers, volunteers, Mobar and TriVelo. The squares are screened for accessibility together with experienced experts. Various adjustments are made, such as wheelchair-accessible locations, mobile loop and amplification, Flemish Sign Language interpreters, audio description for people with a visual impairment, and guidance by a volunteer is possible for every activity. There is also a quiet location available where assistance dogs can wait for their owners.
For visitors who want to spend the night in Ghent, there is a wide range of accommodation available, from cozy family hotels and cozy Bed & Breakfasts to budget-friendly youth hostels and luxurious five-star hotels. For those who prefer camping, Urban Gardens in Blaarmeersen offers a quiet and natural environment.
The best way to get to the Ghent Festivities is by public transport. Most activities take place in the center of the city, within walking distance of Gent-Dampoort station. Travelers arriving at Gent-Sint-Pieters can easily transfer to a shuttle tram (line T1) that runs all night long. Around the party zone there is a large zone reserved for residents, where visitors are not allowed to park. For those arriving by car, there are Party Parkings (park-and-rides) available.
Cycling is also an excellent option to visit the Ghent Festivities. Various types of bicycles are available for rent in the city, including orange city bicycles from Donkey Republic, blue electric bicycles from Dott, and green electric bicycles from Bolt. With the provider's app you can easily unlock a bicycle and move quickly.
