In Ghent, the end of the year only really announces itself as soon as the Christmas tram leaves.
The Ghent Winter Festivities, an annual highlight in the Artevelde city, will also receive a special addition in 2023 from today in the form of the illuminated Christmas tram. This festive tram, which will cross the streets of Ghent, is a unique way for residents and visitors to experience the city in its Christmas splendor. The initiative fits within Ghent's tradition of celebrating the holidays in a special and accessible way.
The Christmas tram will run on specific days in December, namely the 16th & 17th, 22nd & 23rd, and 29th & 30th, each time between 17:00 PM and 22:00 PM. This offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy a fairytale ride through the heart of Ghent after work or during the evenings.
The route of the Christmas tram has been carefully selected to take passengers past some of the most atmospheric places in the city. With Gent-Sint-Pieters station as the start and end point, the tram will follow a route that visits highlights of the city. Major stops include Kouter, Gent Zuid, and Korenmarkt, each of which has its own unique charm during the holidays.
Vintage and retro have experienced an unprecedented rise in recent years. Old trams and buses, the heritage of De Lijn, also appeal greatly to the imagination.
The journey on Sunday, December 17, deserves a special mention, where the tram will make two extra journeys to Zwijnaarde for the occasion. This is an excellent opportunity for residents and visitors of this district to be part of the festive atmosphere.
De illuminated Christmas tram is more than a means of transport because it is also a piece of history in itself, which contributes to the magical atmosphere of Ghent during the winter months. The tram, illuminated with Christmas decorations and equipped with pleasant Christmas music, offers a unique opportunity to see the city from a different perspective and experience the festive atmosphere in all its glory.
museum piece
The Ghent Christmas tram ran for the first time in 2018. The blue museum piece is a PCC 1, dating from 1971 and previously owned by the MIVG, the predecessor of De Lijn in East Flanders. The bright fifty-something is one of the two driving PCC 1s that the Ghent heritage association ETG (Heritage Tram-Bus for Ghent & East Flanders) has in its collection. ETG will deck out the Christmas tram with around 1.800 LED lights. The light decoration looks slightly different every year. Last year, illuminated snowflakes were added to the sides. This year the interior space will also be provided with sparkling extras.
