Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Ghent cancels political speeches at its January 11, 2026, New Year’s reception. Mayor Mathias De Clercq and officials, including Joris Vandenbroucke, will focus on citizen interaction; 10,000+ participants expected.
As VRT News reported, Ghent will no longer include political speeches in its traditional New Year’s reception, the city confirmed. Mayor Mathias De Clercq (Voor Gent) will not take the stage in front of the city hall on January 11th, 2026, to deliver a speech. The stage used for speeches will also be removed. The city said the change is not due to budget cuts and is part of a new approach to organising the event.
“We’re cancelling the political speeches and removing the stage. People aren’t coming to the New Year’s reception to listen to politicians, but to toast the New Year together. Moreover, those speeches were barely audible to most attendees. Many politicians will, of course, be present and approachable,”
emphasises Joris Vandenbroucke.
“The stage belongs to the city, so it wasn’t a major expense. We’ll also continue to offer drinks and provide acts,”
the city said.
What will change at Ghent’s New Year’s reception this year?
Ghent’s annual New Year’s reception attracts more than 10,000 participants each year. In recent editions, the event has also become a stage for activists. 2 consecutive pro-Palestinian protests interrupted Mayor Mathias De Clercq’s speeches.
This year, the reception comes as the city starts a multi-million-euro budget restructuring. While unions and other groups may use the event to raise their concerns, city officials say that the removal of political speeches is not linked to fear of protests.
Vandenbroucke stressed that demonstrations played no role in the changes.
“Politicians must constantly be accountable for their decisions; that’s part of it. After 20 years, it was time to give the event an update.”
Since being established in the early 2000s, Ghent’s New Year’s reception is an annual celebration of the beginning of the year. On January 14, 2024, approximately 12,500 attended under the Stadshal.
The City provided an estimated 28,000 free drinks as part of the event, and Mayor Mathias De Clercq spoke about the City’s plans and achievements, most notably Gent’s designation as the European Youth Capital 2024.
In addition to the music and communal activities associated with the reception, it has also provided a venue for identifying citizens as part of the community by offering opportunities to be visible in the development of civic and civic-related matters within the city of Ghent.
