What is Balfolk?
Dancing together, live music, workshops & making friends.
The balfolk scene in Belgium
Balfolk is not just for big festivals like Balhallafestival. Every month Balhalla fills Ghent with music and dancing at our own balls. Curious? Discover more at https://balhalla.be
And the fun does not stop there. The balfolk scene is alive across Belgium, with events in many cities and regions. A central website that shows this richness is still on the way, but for now you can already find plenty of balls near you via Folkbalbende.
Balhallafestival however is the place to be in your winter calendar. Workshops for absolute beginners to experienced dancers combined with amazing groups and and an even greater athmosphere.
Practical info
Venue
After a magical first edition in the industrial heart of Ghent, we’re taking a leap for our second edition to the city’s athletic core. We warmly welcome you to the sports hall of Sport Vlaanderen Gent, located by the beautiful Blaarmeersen, right next to the Watersportbaan. A location that offers us all the space and calm we need to make BalhallaFestival bigger, more comfortable, and even more magical.
What is a sports hall by day, will be transformed during the festival into an atmospheric dance space full of character. With a comfortable dance floor, warm lighting, and of course the unique Balhalla vibe, you’ll feel right at home — but with extra space to move freely and enjoy to the fullest.
Transport
The festival is located at the Watersportbaan in Ghent, the city’s athletic heart — easily accessible by both public transport and car.
On foot / bike
It’s a 40-minute walk from Gent-Sint-Pieters train station or a 12-minute bike ride.
For those who prefer to save their feet for dancing, bike rentals are available in Ghent — both via subscription and one-time use. You can find an overview here:
https://stad.gent/nl/mobiliteit-openbare-werken/mobiliteit/fiets-huren-deelfiets-nodig
Public transport
There are regular bus connections to the city center every day. On Friday and Monday, there’s also a direct bus line from Gent-Sint-Pieters station to the venue.
Car
The Blaarmeersen area is easily accessible by car and located outside the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) of the City of Ghent.
There are several parking options within walking distance — so parking nearby is guaranteed. Exact parking locations will be shared closer to the event.
Accomodation
Since the festival is located close to the city centre of Ghent, there are plenty accommodations available near the festival.
In addition, we offer some group accommodations:
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Sportaccomodation (0km)
New!
Festival distance: 0 km
Service: bed with mattress available. Toilets and showers are available.
Address: Right next to the venue.
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Kajak Accomodation (1,5km)
Festival distance: 1.5 km
Public transport: A shuttle bus will be provided.
Service: bed with mattress available, bed linen must be rented. Toilets and showers are available.
Address: Yachtdreef 1a, 9000 Gent. Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1JKLfPwTGi29cmRp9
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Ghentian Sea Scouts (2,1km)
New!
Festival distance: 2.1 km
Public transport: A shuttle bus will be provided.
Service: provide your own air mattress / mat and sleeping bag. Toilets and showers are available.
Address: Veerstraat 82, 9000 Ghent. Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CAyYzq7n7Ese5k3H8
Food and Drinks
At BalhallaFestival, we make sure no one has to hit the dance floor hungry!
More info coming after the summer.
Confidants at BalhallaFestival – A Safe & Welcoming Space for Everyone
At BalhallaFestival, we want everyone to feel safe, welcome, and supported—both on and off the dance floor. That’s why we have confidants available throughout the festival.
What is a confidant?
A confidant is someone you can turn to if something is bothering you, if you need help, or if you simply want to talk. They are here to ensure that everyone can experience the festival in a respectful and inclusive environment.How can you recognize them?
Our confidants wear special armbands. Need someone to talk to? Feel free to approach them. Prefer to stay anonymous? Their contact details can be found on the Code of Conduct posters displayed around the festival site.Let’s make BalhallaFestival a place where everyone feels at home.
Respect, kindness, and care for one another are at the heart of the balfolk community. Let’s dance, connect, and create an unforgettable festival together!
Balfolk Code of Conduct
Balfolk is all about connection, joy, and respect, and that is exactly what we stand for at BalhallaFestival. That’s why we proudly share the Balfolk Guidelines, developed by BalfolkFabriek (NL) and beautifully designed by Maartje de Goede. This poster, which you’ll find around the festival site, summarizes the values we hold dear:
Everyone is welcome!
We strive to create a festival where everyone feels safe and respected. Discrimination or boundary-crossing behavior will not be tolerated.Dance with whomever you want, however you want.
Everyone is free to lead, follow, or both, and you can always say ‘no’ to a dance—no explanation needed.Be mindful of each other.
Pay attention to your dance partner, respect personal boundaries, and always check non-verbally if and where you can join a group dance.Respect the music and the atmosphere.
Enjoy the live music, but if you want to talk, keep your voice lower than the music.Personal boundaries matter.
Feel free to express what does and doesn’t feel comfortable, and don’t assume that someone wants to dance closely without consent.Take care of yourself and others.
Stay hydrated, respect the space, and maintain personal hygiene to ensure a pleasant dance environment for everyone.
📸 Photography Policy at BalhallaFestival 📸
We want to capture the magic of BalhallaFestival while respecting your privacy. If you prefer not to appear prominently on our social media channels, you can sign up for our opt-out list.
How does it work?
Send a clear and recent photo of yourself to foto@balhallafestival.be. Our photographers will make sure to remove any close-up images of you during the editing process. This applies only to photos where you are clearly recognizable, not to general group or atmosphere shots. The same applies to video recordings.
🔹 Why this approach?
To capture spontaneous and authentic moments, our photographers cannot ask for permission before taking every photo. This allows them to do their work without interrupting the dancing experience.
🔹 Leave your email address as well
If a stunning photo of you is taken, the photographer might want to send it to you personally. It also provides us with a way to contact you if needed.
🔹 Sign up at the entrance
You can also register at the entrance. In that case, we will take a quick identification photo of you, so our photographers know who not to capture. With multiple photographers at the event, we don’t know everyone by name.