New Year traditions and events in Gent

by Guest author - 30 November, 20191 December, 2019

The holiday season can be tricky for expats: this season is filled with traditions and as everyone is eager to relive their happy childhood moments, there is even more scope for misunderstanding than usual. After our introduction to Christmas traditions in Flanders, here is our handy guide to what you

Celebrating the Christmas Season in Belgium

by Guest author - 11 November, 201911 November, 2019

Saint Nick is on his way …. Christmas is such an exciting time of year! The magic and suspense can really keep children on their toes. Will Santa reward them for good behaviour? Or maybe you have an entirely different custom in your home ... welcome to Belgium, where things are

The Many Lights of Christmas

by Nina - 7 November, 201911 November, 2019

The Many Lights of Christmas Updated for 2019! On Friday, 6th December 2019, the most wonderful time of the year starts in Ghent officially: the time of the year when twinkling decorative lights bring some respite from the incessant darkness and the sound of Jingle Bells on loop in shops threatens to

Best Ghent festivals in autumn

by Nina - 7 October, 2019

A woman dancing flamenco in a bright red dress

If you thought that the festival season in Ghent finishes with the close of summer, you have obviously not been living here for long. Gentenaars do not let the seasons define their festival plans. Bridging the gap between the summer festive feeling and Christmas time, several festivals brighten up the

Where to party in Gent

by Guest author - 21 September, 201921 October, 2019

Ahh, Belgium... the culture of beers, fries, and partying! For you, I volunteered to experience the best parties in Gent and made a list of bars, clubs, festivals & other events - for all ages, music tastes and budgets - to help you find the best places to party in

Autumn Gent Festival

by Nina - 13 September, 201913 September, 2019

If you thought that the music festival season in Ghent finishes with the close of summer, you have obviously not been living here for long. Gentenaars do not let the seasons define their festival plans. Bridging the gap between the summer festive feeling and the usually rainy Film Fest Gent

Gentse Feesten 2019 – Practical Tips

by Heather - 14 July, 201914 July, 2019

The Gentse Feesten is Ghent's biggest annual festival and in 2019 it'll take over the city centre between Friday 19th and Sunday 28th July. If it's your first time, then before you get stuck into the party, read TheSquare.Gent's top tips! 1630

Treasure hunting at the rommelmarkt

by Nina - 13 April, 201913 April, 2019

rommel, n : 1 mess, shambles: rommel maken make a mess 2 (ondeugdelijke waar) junk, rubbish, trash rommelen, v : 1 rumble, roll: de donder rommelt in de verte - the thunder is rumbling in the distance 2 rummage: in zijn papieren rommelen - shuffle one's papers (Van Dale dictionary) Rommel is a word that

How to cook up a Japanese film festival

by Nina - 11 March, 201911 March, 2019

Last updated: 11th March, 2019 About 10 years ago, Tomoko Kaji found herself at the opening night of the budding Japan Square film festival in Ghent. Even though she had heard about the festival from her husband, renowned Japanologist and festival collaborator Luk Van Haute, she didn't know what to expect. She

New Year in Gent 2018/2019

by Nina - 27 December, 201819 February, 2019

Updated for 2018/2019! The holiday season can be tricky for expats: the season is filled with traditions and as everyone is eager to relive their happy childhood moments, there is even more scope for misunderstanding than usual. After our introduction to Christmas traditions in Flanders, here is our handy guide to