By Athina · October 2026
Festivals, film, congresses and quiet weeks. How the city's calendar shapes demand, and what that means for your prices.
In a city like Ghent, the difference between a good and an average year is often in the calendar. Some weeks book themselves; others need help. Always check the exact dates for the current year on the official websites.
Summer
The Gentse Feesten fill the city for ten days in July, and Gent Jazz also takes place in July. These are dates where demand is high and a standard price often leaves money on the table.
Autumn
Flanders Festival Ghent runs through much of September, and Film Fest Gent takes place in October. Visitors often stay longer and come for the programme rather than for a cheap weekend. In November, the Six Days of Ghent cycling event brings its own crowd.
Winter
Around the Christmas period, the city's winter festivities attract short city trips and weekend visitors.
All year: business guests
Congresses, trade fairs and training days at venues such as ICC Ghent and Flanders Expo bring guests from Monday to Thursday, exactly when many homes stand empty. Business guests often book late and stay midweek.
And the quiet weeks
In quieter periods, a high price rarely helps. A shorter minimum stay and a sharp price for midweek nights usually do more.
Sources
Places in this article
