Get ready for a packed weekend in Ghent, hitting the tail end of the Krokusvakantie and catching some major cycling action! We've pulled 15 top family picks, ranging from coding clubs and family tours to traditional markets and funfairs.
See our top picks
Flower Market
Kouter square
Enjoy the sights and smells of the weekly flower market on Saturday morning.
Book Market
Ajuinlei
A dry, calm spot along the water to browse hundreds of used books on Sunday.
Playmobil Search Trail at Laarne Castle
Laarne (Outside City Centre)
A fun Playmobil treasure hunt at a nearby castle, running Saturday afternoon.
· February 28
1: Time for the kids to dive into the world of coding! This session runs Saturday morning at the KU Leuven campus.It's a dedicated tech workshop perfect for kids interested in programming, running Saturday morning.
· March 1
2FAMILY FUN AT GUM & BOTANICAL GARDEN : Take advantage of the last day of the carnival break activities! Enjoy family tours at the GUM museum and check out the first spring blooms in the adjacent Botanical Garden.This is one of the few events confirmed to be specifically tied to the Krokusvakantie, ending Sunday.
: A dance event happening early Sunday morning at Danspunt. If your family enjoys movement, this could be a unique outing.It’s a dance-specific event confirming activity on Sunday morning.
Also On· anytime this weekend
9FREE : Start your Saturday with a beautiful, lively atmosphere checking out plants and flowers at the Kouter. This is a weekly classic that always feels fresh.It’s a charming, sensory market experience perfect for a Saturday morning stroll.
FREE : Perfect for treasure hunters! This market runs across two squares and is great for sifting through unique second-hand finds all day Saturday.It's the main antiques flea market running Saturday.
: Traditional puppet shows featuring Pierke van Alijn happen every Saturday, perfect for younger kids to enjoy a classic performance.Perfectly timed traditional entertainment for the under-8 crowd on Saturday.
FREE : Browse stalls filled with books right along the water on Sunday. It's a calm, cultured activity for the whole family.A calm, traditional Sunday market offering sheltered browsing.
FREE : A specialized market on Sunday where you can browse all kinds of second-hand bikes at the Oude Beestenmarkt.A unique Sunday market focusing on cycling culture.
: Many shops open their doors every Sunday! A great chance to explore the city centre while grabbing what you need.It's a city-wide activity that makes Sunday viable for family errands and browsing.
FREE : Find organic produce near Gent-Sint-Pieters station. A wonderful spot for fresh air and browsing healthy groceries on Sunday morning.A nice, dedicated fresh food market on Sunday.
: Head just outside Ghent to Laarne Castle for a Playmobil-themed search adventure running Saturday afternoon. Great fun for the little ones!Playmobil is universally appealing to young families and it runs both days near Ghent.
: This adventure focusing on a little elephant runs all weekend, although be warned it is listed in the Brussels area despite appearing in a Ghent search result.It’s one of the few events confirmed to run both days, even if the location is questionable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Ghent this weekend?
This weekend (Feb 28 - Mar 01), the best free family activities are the weekend markets: the Flower Market (Sat), the Arts and Crafts Market (Sat), the Second-hand and Antiques Market (Sat), and various Sunday food/shopping markets.
Are there any specific kid-focused events on Sunday?
Yes, Sunday features the Krokusvakantie activities wrapping up at the GUM & Botanical Garden, plus traditional Sunday markets like the Book Market and the Second-hand Bicycle Market.
What if the weather is bad on Saturday?
For indoor fun, check out the CoderDojo Gent workshop Saturday morning, or visit the Real Human Bodies Exhibition (age 3+). The Huis van Alijn puppet shows are also a great rainy-day option.
