Ghent feesten 2026: this is how you arrange parking, reading and p+r in Ghent.

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For ten days, the Ghent Feesten will transform the city center into one big festival. From July 17 to 26, 2026, Ghent will be full of revelers: Ghent residents, Flemings, Dutch, Germans and city trippers from all over. In recent editions, 1.6 to 1.7 million visitors quickly came by. You can feel that in the streets, in the squares and in the car parks.

At the same time, almost everything that happens lies within Ghent's Low Emission Zone (LEZ). The combination of LEZ, paid parking, a lot of car traffic around the R40 and a historic city center makes parking during the Ghent Festivities something you shouldn't leave to chance. This guide gives you a clear overview of your options: LEZ, P+R, center car parks and private car parks via SparkSpot.

What are the Ghent feesten and when are they in 2026?

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The Gentse Feesten is a free city festival that lasts ten days. During the day and in the evening, there are performances, street theater, food trucks and children's entertainment. Squares such as the Korenmarkt, Sint-Baafsplein, Sint-Jacobs, Graslei and Kouter will become festival zones with stages, terraces and entertainment. Parks and smaller squares also get their own atmosphere.

In 2026, the Ghent Festivities will run from Friday, July 17 to Sunday, July 26. That means two busy weekends and a full week of celebrations in between. Many people come several times, others deliberately plan one or two days of Ghent Feesten. It is increasingly becoming a city trip: two or three nights in Ghent, with a hotel or B&B in the city center and the car parked somewhere.

Because everything is concentrated in the historic core, you can immediately feel the hustle and bustle of mobility. Streets are being closed, routes are being adjusted and the focus is clearly on pedestrians and cyclists. Driving the car close to the squares is then unrealistic.

Lez in gent: what does that mean for your car during the feesten?

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The entire city center of Ghent within the R40 is a low-emission zone. This means that your car must meet certain emission standards to enter the area. If you drive with an older diesel or petrol, there is a good chance that you will either be banned or only allowed in with a day pass. Foreign number plates must be pre-registered, except for Dutch cars.

So before you plan anything, it's best to do a LEZ check:

- check whether your vehicle is allowed in the Ghent LEZ
- if your number plate is not automatically recognized, your registration must be in order
- if your car does not comply, you can be admitted for a few days with a day pass, but that remains limited and chargeable

During the Ghent Festivities, the LEZ will continue to apply. There are no exceptions “because they are feesten”. Anyone who does enter the zone without a valid permit risks a substantial fine. In practice, that is the first step: know whether your car is even allowed in the city center. If not, you should definitely opt for a P+R or private car park outside the LEZ.

p+r and peripheral car parks: the official solution of the city of Ghent.

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The City of Ghent is betting heavily on Park & Ride (P+R) around the city. These are large car parks on the outskirts of Ghent, where you can park for free or cheaply and continue to the center by tram, bus or bike. For the Ghent Feesten, the city explicitly points visitors to these P+R zones and to the “party car parks” that are well connected to public transport.

The logic is simple:

- you avoid the hustle and bustle within the R40 by car
- you leave your car outside the LEZ or just on the edge
- you drive to the city center by tram or bus and get off near the squares

For a day of Gentse Feesten, that is a wise choice. You arrive, follow the signs to a P+R, park, take a tram or bus and start your evening in the city. Afterwards, you take the same route back. Especially those who drive an older car or don't feel like LEZ rules should opt for this formula.

There are also disadvantages: on top nights, P+Rs get full and you have to wait a little longer for transport. With children, older family members or a lot of luggage, this can be just a little less comfortable. For those who stay for several days, commuting back and forth to a P+R every day isn't always ideal either.

Center car parks and street parking during the Ghent feesten.

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In addition to P+R, there are the classic center car parks and street parking within the R40. You have underground car parks within walking distance of the core and paid parking in streets around the city center.

During the Ghent Feesten, the reality is simple:

- car parks close to the core are well filled early, especially on Friday, Saturday and top nights
- rotation in car parks is declining because many visitors leave their cars parked for several days
- Street parking near the feesten is limited and often more expensive

Those who arrive during the day or early in the evening will usually still find a place in a central car park, but there is no guarantee. If you arrive by car on a busy evening, you sometimes have to try multiple car parks or move to the station area or peripheral locations.

In addition, there are the LEZ rules: if your car is not allowed, central car parks within the zone are not an option anyway. Then you have to rely on car parks on the outskirts or in private places outside the LEZ.

Day visits or weekend feesten in Ghent: which parking strategy suits you?

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For day visitors, the choice is quite clear. You arrive by car to a P+R or a peripheral car park, park your car and continue to the center by tram or bus. If you arrive early, you may want to try a central car park, but at the risk that it will be full upon arrival.

If you stay in Ghent for one or more nights, the picture looks different. You want to be able to park your car somewhere without having to shift every day or worry about time limits. One fixed spot for the entire duration of your stay is then more practical.

Roughly speaking, you have three scenarios:

- your hotel has its own parking: you park your car there and leave it there until departure
- your hotel has no parking, but you're trying to park in the center for several days: it's possible, but it's more expensive and you have to hope for a free space
- you are looking for an alternative outside the classic garages, but still within an achievable walking distance from your accommodation

For those last two scenarios, SparkSpot comes into the picture.

Sparkspot: book private car parks for the Ghent feesten.

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SparkSpot collects private parking spaces that owners temporarily rent out: driveways, garages, company car parks, small private car parks near downtown. You pre-book them online for a specific time slot or for several days.

The principle is simple:

- you fill in where and when you want to park during the Gentse Feesten
- you choose a seat in or just outside the LEZ, depending on your car
- you immediately see the price, distance to the center and any extras (e.g. charging point for electric cars)
- you reserve and receive clear instructions about access and appointments by email

During a busy event like the Gentse Feesten, this has a few clear advantages:

You have certainty in advance. You know exactly where to go, at what hours and under what conditions. You don't have to drive around full car parks.

You consciously choose a place that suits your plans. Close to your hotel, a tram stop or a quiet base just outside the hustle and bustle: you decide.

You can leave your car parked quietly. Especially if you're staying two or three nights, it's nice not to have to think about tickets, time limits or trips.

For those who come with an electric car, places with a charging point are extra interesting: you park and charge while enjoying the feesten.

Tips to avoid fines and hassles during Ghent's feesten.

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A few sober tips make a big difference:

Always check the LEZ rules first. Know if your car is allowed inside the R40. This way, you can avoid unpleasant surprises even before you choose a car park.

Don't plan your arrival at the busiest hour. If you have a choice, don't arrive just on Saturday nights around primetime. Arriving in the afternoon or on a quieter day provides more breathing space.

Look beyond the shortest route. Parking just outside the most hectic zone and a 15-minute walk to the center is often more pleasant than losing valuable time searching near the squares.

See parking as part of your schedule. Just like you're thinking about which squares and performances you want to see, it makes sense to decide where your car will be parked beforehand. With SparkSpot, you can just help schedule that.

Frequently asked questions about Gentse Feesten and parking:

can I still drive my car in the center of Ghent during the Ghent feesten?

The city center remains accessible, but the combination of LEZ, closed streets and hustle and bustle makes it difficult to get close to the squares. During peak hours, it is wise to park the car outside the core and travel the rest on foot or by public transport.

where is the best place to park for a day of partying in Ghent?

For a day visit, P+R zones and peripheral car parks are usually the best choice. You avoid the LEZ, long queues at central car parks and don't search in the busiest streets. From there, take a tram, bus or shared bike to the city center.

I'm staying in Ghent for one or two nights, but my hotel has no parking. what now?

You can try to find a place in a central car park, but this is no guarantee during the Gentse Feesten. Booking a private parking space via SparkSpot near your stay is then a quieter solution. You reserve your spot for the entire duration of your stay and no longer have to move.

how do I combine an electric car with the Ghent feesten?

With an electric car, you take two things into account: LEZ approval and charging options. You can opt for a P+R with charging stations or book a parking space with a charging point via SparkSpot. This way, you can simply charge during the festival, without extra detours.

a private car park via Sparkspot only useful for those who sleep in the center?

No. Even those who stay outside the core or stay with friends can benefit from a fixed parking space. Especially if you are in the car with several people or still have to walk to your car late at night, a pre-chosen and reserved spot provides more peace of mind than an unknown car park that may be full.

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