festival · concert · free_activity · food_event
Gentse Feesten — Ghent's ten-day city festival
2026-07-17 – 2026-07-26 · Centre of Ghent (city-wide), Ghent · Free
One of Europe's biggest free cultural festivals. Squares become open-air stages: dance and electronica on Sint-Veerleplein, world music on Vrijdagmarkt, theatre on Bij Sint-Jacobs. Eat at one of the temporary food courts; sleep elsewhere in Flanders unless you booked a year ahead.
Why go
For ten July days, Ghent’s historic centre turns into a walkable maze of stages, street food and late-night crowds, with canal-side squares shifting from family afternoons to packed concerts after dark.
What to expect
Open-air stages across central squares including Sint-Veerleplein, Vrijdagmarkt and Bij Sint-JacobsMostly free programme, with some individual concerts or performances charging separatelyFood stalls and temporary bars threaded through the festival streetsBusy daytime family activity followed by louder evening and nightlife crowdsA city-centre festival best explored on foot or by public transport