New Year's Eve: Where to celebrate in Flanders
Don't feel left out on the last day of the year; join one of many parties, firework displays and festivals taking place across Flanders
Party like it's almost 2017
In Antwerp, you can watch the fireworks over the Scheldt from anywhere along the Kaaien. Afterwards, make sparks fly on the dance floor created by moving the tables aside at Mercado, the city’s new deluxe food hall on Groenplaats. You’ll also find a boudoir full of burlesque dancers, magicians and a brass band.
If you think New Year’s Eve is a synonym for overpriced, head to Millie Vanillie in Ghent (Sint-Niklaasstraat 2), where the entrance is free, as always. The groovy cellar opens its doors at 23.45 for a mix of old-school and contemporary tunes. Foodies may prefer an evening at Volta (Nieuwewandeling 2), where the menu for the buffet dinner (€85) looks sublime.
Why only fit in one party when you can combine three? A ticket to NYE Deluxe in Ostend’s Kursaal (Kursaal-Westhelling 12) grants you access to three rooms, each with completely different vibes. To cure your hangover the next day, just join the traditional New Year’s Dive into the North Sea.
The irreverently titled FCKNYE Festival in Paleis 12 at Heizel in Brussels wins the award for the biggest NYE event in Belgium. More than 10,000 revellers will be dancing to the pounding techno of Adam Beyer and other headliners. Don’t feel like settling in one spot? The Happy Brussels party pass (€60) includes entry to … wait for it … 15 clubs, from hip-hop heaven Bloody Louis to cosy jazz joint Sounds.
The Winterland festivities on Hasselt’s Dusartplein offer fun for the whole family. The Grand Café has a buffet formula with special children’s menu (€45 for adults, €30 for kids), and the ice skating rink is open until 22.00. At midnight, young and old can enjoy the fireworks together.
