Discover exhibitions, concerts, graffiti and film

Day and night, Ghent is always quite alive! The city boasts a unique mixture of historical architecture and contemporary events, splendid renowned museums, theatres, opera and film. The city also offers a wealth of exhibitions and other cultural events.

Museums

For lovers of contemporary art, design, fine arts, old masters, industrial heritage, psychiatry, visual arts and people who are interested in the story of Ghent.

Street Art

Ghent is a graffiti-friendly city, with many works by artists such as Roa and Bué the Warrior. Discover a different side of Ghent with the ‘Sorry, not sorry’ street art plan of Ghent, a tour by bike or on foot.

Music

The City of Ghent has established a solid reputation as a music centre, with a rich tradition and an inclusive culture approach. This is proved by the impressive number of concert halls, education facilities and bars where they play music. Numerous actors give shape to the vast and diversified Ghent music scenery.

Concert halls

• Handelsbeurs: Pop, rock, classical, jazz and world music.
• Vooruit: Theatre, dance, performance, festivals, lectures, concerts and parties.
• De Centrale: Music, theatre, film from all over the world. A passionate plea for a successful multicultural society.
• Bijloke Gent Music Centre: Classic and contemporary music and jazz.
• Opera Ghent: Music theatre, ballet, concerts and recitals.
• Kompass Club: A place where egos are left in the cloakroom and electronical music brings people closer together.

Bars

• Charlatan: Popular nightlife and music café.
• Trefpunt: Small music and theatre café.
• Kinky Star: a non-profit youth and music center which promotes non-commercial genres and young debuting artists.
• Afsnis: Pub with sometimes live music.
• Bar Mirwaar: Music bar with a homely feel.

 

Music, film and culinary festivals

During the ten-day Ghent Festivities in July, the city centre is transformed into one giant festival. The Ghent Jazz Festival and the Festival of Flanders earned Ghent the title of UNESCO Creative City of Music. In October, film lovers and stars flock to the Ghent Film Festival. 

Film Fest Gent was established in 1974 as a student's film festival, and has since developed into one of Europe's most prominent film events. Every year in October, the festival presents some 100 features and 30 shorts from all across the world. The festival organises film music concerts, giving composers of film scores the platform they deserve.

 

There are several cinemas in Ghent. All movies are usually shown in their original version with bilingual (Dutch-French) subtitles.