Cozy @ home

We like ‘gezelligheid’. It’s hard to translate, but the the closest word in English would be ‘coziness’. For one afternoon no less than 18 Ghentians open their living rooms. Different activities will be going on. At the festival, you have the ability to choose one living room to hang out at during this cozy afternoon.  

You will find addresses and contact info in the booklet sent to you. Sign up on 29/12 or 30/12 on the paper sheets in the party venue.

Not all pictures show the host or the house. They are examples of the activity.

Winter Tales & Poetry at Home

hosted by Kathleen (she/her)

It doesn’t have to snow outside to enjoy wintry scenes. With books, poems, myths & legends we let the winter tales swirl inside. Reading aloud with an improvised touch of jazz/blues music might give it an extra touch? Get ready for a cozy afternoon full of reading, recitals, steaming cups and sweets for the mouth & ears.

Bring your favorite book, poetry collection, or legend to share, or bring pen and paper to create some. Stories in all languages will make you drift around the globe.

Musicians welcome for some back ground music (a piano can be set up on request).

Bring your favorite drinks and desserts for the sweet buffet. 

Was it the 70’s, 80’s or 90’s?

hosted by Frederik (he/him)

Celebrate the golden years of pop music! Frederik invites you to join in this epic dance party in his living room. Feel free to dress up and bring your best dance moves.

Please bring your own drinks and snacks.

Game of Bluff

hosted by Sielke (she/her)

Up for an exciting game where lying is necessary? Get ready for a unique card game called ‘Game of Bluff’, developed by Journey Ghent.

No Cozy At Home without sweets and drinks. Feel free to bring your own favorite snacks, dessert or drinks to strengthen our bluff game!

Got Rhythm In Your Feet

hosted by Marijke (she/her) & Els (she/her)

Be ready for some faster tunes! Balboa, shag, charleston & fast Lindy dancers: we are looking at you. Our DJ will treat you to an afternoon of fast rhythms to keep your feet warm throughout the last day of the year.

Dancing shoes encouraged, as we dance on a real wooden floor! Bring your own drinks and snacks to stay energized. Tap water available.

Knitting & Crafty Vibes

hosted by Linde (they/them)

Fellow crafters — and anyone who’s been secretly wanting to try something creative — you’re warmly invited to a cosy crafternoon at Linde’s place. Whether you’re into knitting or crochet, have a pair of trousers in need of mending, or want to give an old T-shirt a new look, all kinds of textile crafts are welcome! If you just want to curl up in a comfy sofa with a cup of tea while some lovely vinyl records spin in the background… you’re just as welcome.

Coffee and tea will be provided (plantbased and cow milk available), as well as tools and materials, but you can bring your own project. Please bring your own snacks if you want anything to munch on while crafting!

Blues dancing to live music

hosted by Jolien (she/her)

Do you feel like dancing at a cozy blues party? A little bit of relaxing after all these crazy lindy hop parties. We have a live band playing their nicest blues songs for us. You are warmly welcome to join the dance floor!

Feel free to bring some snacks and drinks to share. Water will be provided.

Cozy Campfire & Outdoor Games

hosted by Wim (he/him)

You need a bit of fresh air after a few days of dancing inside, but you also like a bit of warmth when outside? Join Wim in his garden to share your best dancing experiences around a nice campfire. Participate in outdoor games, or just stay cosy with the campfire. In case of rain (or having cold), you can move inside for some nice boardgames.

Please bring some (smoked?) foods and/or drinks.

Music Jam

hosted by Maarten (he/him), Heleen (she/her) & Jakob (he/him)

Maarten & Heleen host a coffee & tea jam. Come play and hang between the plants! Heleen is there to set the right key (literally and figuratively). Cold hands get warmed at the bonfire in the garden. Bring your ears and your instrument. Singers very welcome!

Hot drinks will be provided.

What to bring:
– Your instrument (available: 1 piano, 1 steel string gitar, 1 electric gitar, 1 cahon, microphone on stand)
– Your own snacks
– iReal on your phone
– firewood

Dungeons and Dragons one shot

hosted by Alexander (he/him)

Always wanted to try Dungeons & Dragons? Step into the role of a hero(ine) the people desperately need. Expect fighting, puzzle-solving, and a dash of social intrigue, all in a relaxed, beginner-friendly adventure. No experience needed, just your imagination.

We play with a small team! Max 5 players. Bring your supportive vibes and some drinks and snacks as you like.

Sing along afternoon

hosted by Arne (he/him), Marie (she/her) & Lucia (she/her)

Marie is a gifted singer & pianist who will perform several jazz & blues songs for you. And she might tempt you to join in for some well-known popular tunes! Marie brings the lyrics printed out so everyone can sing along.

If it doesn’t rain, Arne will make a big fire in his garden to heat up during the musical breaks. He will also treat you to cake, good coffee and juice.

Please take off your shoes inside the house and no smoking please. Feel welcome to bring extra drinks and snacks for your fellow singers! 

Reflecting back and looking forward

hosted by Amal (she/her)

As we draw the year to a close, this cozy gathering will be a chance for us to pause, reflect on 2025, and envision our wishes for 2026. We’ll engage in some creative exercises to reflect back on the past year and help map out our visions for the year ahead and close with a massage circle if you feel like it.

Bring any food and drinks you like to share alongside the warm drinks we will be providing. Some basic materials will be available but feel free to bring creative supplies if you carry some with you, or a magazine picked up along the way for a collage.

Creative vibes

hosted by Fanny (she/her) & Annelies (she/her)

Fanny and Annelies invite you for a cosy sitting together, folding the typical Upside Down envelopes, painting, playing an improvisation card game, doing your own knitting or crocheting, or just have tea, biscuits and some wintery warm chatting.

Your hosts will provide coffee and tea, and perhaps some nibbles, for free. If you fancy another snack, feel free to bring it. 

Living Room Swing Concert

hosted by Sarah (she/her)

Sarah warmly invite you to a cozy living room concert. Let yourself be carried away by atmospheric sounds and enjoy an intimate afternoon full of warmth, music, and connection. Feel free to dance, listen, laugh, and relax with us in a homely setting where everyone is welcome. In between live sets, DJ fast mood will keep you on your feet.

Anybody who has ever tasted Sarah’s rhubarb crumble can’t get over how good it is. Have a taste yourself, in exchange for bringing some drinks! No shoes indoors. 

Tea, Talks & Wine Tasting

hosted by Leen (she/her) & Christophe (he/him)

Leen and Christophe have been living in Ghent for over 25 years, fell in love with swing dance 15 years ago and seem to have one of the most hospitable houses in town. Their door is open: come in, relax, enjoy and spend a typical afternoon in a Ghent home during the holidays!

Leen and Christophe will serve you warm and cold drinks, cakes and chocolate. They’ll open up some bottles of natural wines for tasting. Pick your favorite record from the collection to get into the right mood.

Weather allowing, a campfire will be held in one of the hidden gems of our town.

Food and drinks will be available. A kind donation is welcome but not necessary.

Collage club

hosted by Amber (she/her) & Ellen (she/her)

In the mood for a creative and relaxing activity? Join this home for an afternoon of collaging. Amber and Ellen will put some music on, grab a pair of scissors, and see what kinds of happy accidents occur when we put different forms and materials together. No experience needed. Let yourself be inspired!

What to bring:

• snacks or drinks to share
• (optionally) tools: scissors, cutting knife and mat, glue
• (optionally) materials: magazines, special paper, photos, prints…

Cozy Codenames

hosted by Kristien (she/her) & Katharina (she/her)

We’ll have a very cozy afternoon and some proper relaxation before the last party of the year: CODENAMES is a game for two teams that leaves plenty of space for conversation and connection. It has a nice team dynamic and needs less focus than the usual board game. It’s also very easy and quick to learn! So it’s the perfect game to get to know each other and have some fun.

Bring your favorite snack and/or drink and of course your lovely selves.

Ecstatic Dance on Iranian music with an electronic touch

hosted by Sarina (she/her) 

Iranian musician Ehsan will take you on a musical journey with his music. Classic Iranian songs will be mixed with electronic vibes.

Esctatic dance is a free-form movement practice in which people dance without choreography (alone or with a partner). We dance barefoot, don’t drink alcohol and don’t talk during the sets. The focus is on self-expression, mindfulness and connection to your body and emotions. During the live music we try to connect with our inner self or connect with others through eye-contact and dance moves. Before and after the music sets you will have the time to talk to each other.

This ecstatic dance will take place in a snug living room. Limited spots.

Tea, coffee and a few snacks will be provided. Feel free to bring you favourite non-alcoholic drink and snacks.

Mystic Circle

hosted by Sarah (she/her) & Monika (she/her)

Monika and Sarah are inviting you to gather in the circle and let our voices come alive with medicine songs. Holding a warm cup of cacao, this cosy circle of sharing and connecting will charge our battery before the night of celebration.

Bring your favourite non-alcoholic drink or snack to share. We would appreciate a little contribution on the cost of the ceremonial cacao. We provide water, tea and some snacks.