If this is your first Christmas in Brussels, prepare to be amazed. As you may have noticed, winter in Belgium is slightly different from Winter in Canada. It’s a liveable temperature and you don’t have to worry about shoveling your driveway! This is a refreshing change if you ask me. Despite the lack of snow and chilly temperatures to remind you its almost Christmas, there are plenty of activities happening in Brussels to make the Christmas season feel magical !
From 30 November to 6 January Brussels has a “Winter Wonders and Christmas Market”. This Winter Wonder includes an amazing Christmas market, found downtown Brussels with over 200 different chalets and stands selling everything you can imagine from across Europe. As well as rides for the little ones (Ferris wheel, merry-go-rounds), a large ice rink for skating is located at the Stock Exchange, there is a giant Christmas tree set up in the centre of Grand-Place and as a bonus there is a magical light show reflecting on the buildings which surround Grand-Place! I have been to the show and found it a perfect festive tradition. So, if this is your first or third Christmas in Brussels, I promise it will be special, creating new traditions for your time in Europe.
If you are looking for a warmer market for when those Belgian winter nights are too chilly, check out the largest indoor Christmas market in Brussels, located at Place Flagey in Ixelles. This market offers crafts from France, Germany, Belgium, and even Hungary with unique gifts and food available!
For a smaller indoor market, Place Dumon has a circuit of cabins set up with an abundance of festive activities for all to enjoy!
These are some of the many Christmas markets sprinkled in and around Brussels, however if you’re willing to take a short trip in the car for some German markets, you can always head to Aachen, Monschau, Cologne, Trier or Dusseldorf, all within a 2.5 hr drive from Brussels. Have fun!