Venues

Upside Down Festival takes place in the beautiful city of Ghent. 

The day program will take place in Dok Noord. You can easily ping-pong around the venues, as they are on 5-minute walking distance from each other.

For the parties at night we have two new venues this edition!

We will party for 4 days at a stunning ballroom in Ghent: Concertzaal Vooruit. This venue is located in the Centre.

For New Year’s Eve, we move to “Het Balenmagazijn” (the Bale Warehouse). It’s a 30-minute walk or 8-minute bike ride from Dok Noord.

If you have no access to a bike, we recommend that you find accommodation in the Northern part of Ghent. If you can bike, then it’s all very close by!

Concertzaal Vooruit/VIERNULVIER

Concertzaal (”Concert Hall”) Vooruit is a magnificient place with a superb wooden floor and fascinating history. We are stoked to dance in this iconic building for 4 nights straight!

Place to be: for the parties on Dec 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th

Address: Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 23, 9000 Gent  but the entrance is via Lammerstraat.

Instructions: If you are at the Vooruit building, turn the corner, walk towards the water and either go down on the staircase in the Lammerstraat (next to number 18), or cut the corner through Parijsberg for a stair-free path.

Accessibility: Ground-level party space and bathrooms are accessible for wheelchair user with an elevator. Toilets will be gender-neutral.

Het Balenmagazijn

This placed used to be the warehouse where bales of cotton were stored. Nowadays, it houses a social restaurant. People with less means enjoy a delicious meal at a low price, prepared and served by people with reduced employment opportunities on the mainstream labor market. We transform it into a ballroom for the Festival!

Place to be: for the party on Dec 31st (New Year’s Eve)

Address: Getouwstraat 10, 9000 Gent

Instructions: Use the back entrance of the building. Follow the arrows.

Accessibility: Party space and bathrooms are ground level and accessible for wheelchair users. Toilets will be gender-neutral.

De Expeditie

De Expeditie is a cozy co-working spot that houses 7 social organizations. It will be the center of our afternoon hang outs, as well as for classes and workshops.

Place to be: : for Jazz Café incl. Tap Jam, Second-hand market, Upside Down shake… + for some of the Pick ‘n’ Mix activities (28, 29, 30 Dec), and for the pre-party on 26 Dec.

Address: DOK Noord 4/F, 9000 Gent

Instructions: The entrance is at the big square.

Accessibility: The space is on ground level and is accessible for wheelchair users. The toilets are gender-neutral.

Doxtudio

This event location has studios equiped with music installations and mirrors – perfect for dancing.

Place to be: for Tracks and some of the Pick ‘n’ Mix activities (28, 29, 30 Dec)

Address: Dok Noord 7 – 107, 9000 Gent

Instructions: On the first floor of the shopping area. Take the escalator opposite of the supermarket ‘Delhaize’, and you’ll find Doxtudio on your right.

Accessibility: The rooms are located on the first level and can be reached via an elevator (next to Delhaize) for wheelchair users. You could also use the parking elevator. There are bathrooms for wheelchair users, and two gendered bathrooms (we will try to change this into gender-neutral bathrooms if the venue allows it).

Wisper

Wisper organises courses in dance, theatre, music, photography, visual arts, literature… in short, all kinds of artistic classes for adults.

Place to be: for some of the Pick ‘n’ Mix activities (28, 29, 30 Dec)

Address: DOK Noord 4D-001, 9000 Gent

Instructions: Across De Expeditie. Keep an eye out for the sign.

Accessibility: All rooms and the downstairs bathroom are easily accessible for wheelchair users. There is an elevator to go up to the studios on the first and second floor. Toilets are gender-neutral.

Stadsmakers

“City Makers” is a cooperative of craftsmen, entrepreneurs, artists, and performers who develop their creative activities in a former warehouse. This venue is soaked in Upside Down-ness!

Place to be: for the afterparty on 1 January 

Address: Wiedauwkaai 51, 9000 Gent

Instructions: Drive up the long driveway through the gate to the back of the building. Climb the stairs at the back of the warehouse. The entrance is on the first floor.

Accessibility: This venue is not accessible for wheelchair users. Toilets are gender-neutral.

Danshuis De Ingang

Danshuis De Ingang houses many dance styles! Its ballroom is the venue for swing dancers in Ghent to meet up for the monthly “Practice Your Moves” social, organized by De Gentse Hoppers.

Place to be: for the second afterparty on 2 January. Please note that Upside Down does not organize this event. Information here: Practice Your Moves

Address: Hurstweg 8, 9000 Gent

Instructions: You will need to find the Galveston building. It has a huge parking spot in front. Go up to the 3rd floor in the building using the stairs or elevator. Follow the signs that say “Danshuis De Ingang”.

Accessibility: This venue is accessible for wheelchair users by means of an elevator. Toilets are gendered.