The Christmas market of Ghent 2009, Belgium

December is traditionally the month when you can find a Christmas market in every city of Belgium. These are likely not so popular as these in Germany but everyone can enjoy these markets. It is a wonderful tradition and most of them were previous weekend (11 and 12 December). Cities like Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, Brussels and some others have Christmas markets which you can visit almost the entire month of December.

I visited this year the one of Ghent which started the 11th of December and will end on the end of December. It is already the 15th edition of the Christmas market of Ghent. The attractive historical center of this beautiful city is attractive decorated and enlightened and you can easily reach the Christmas market if you take a bus or the metro from the station to the Gravensteen.



The Christmas market of Ghent is one of the Belgian Christmas markets which enjoy great fame abroad and is located close to the St Baafscathedral, the Belfrey and the Gravensteen. The reason of its popularity is likely the strong rules for traders who want to participate. They may only sell typical Christmas or holiday products.

You can find stands with gift articles, artisan products, fantasy jewels, candles, food supplies, beverages and stands for a snack or the typical “Gluhwein”. The Christmas market of Ghent has also a skating rink for people who want to skate. It is wonderful to see how people and even children enjoy this sportive activity. After such sportive event, they will likely enjoy a mug of hot chocolate milk or a glass of Gluhwein.

There were also some musical events and people may enjoy shopping in the shopping streets (Veldstraat-Lange Munt, Mageleinestraat and Koestraat). It is also a good occasion to visit some of the famous historical buildings, for example the Gravensteen, St.Baafskathedral, the Belfrey and some museums.

Ghent is a wonderful city to visit in winter and the Christmas market of Ghent is surely one of the most beautiful ones in Belgium.