Imagine yourself witnessing beautiful twinkling lights that reflect from the cobblestone streets. The sweet aroma of the freshly made waffles float in the air and make your mouth water. Welcome to the fascinating celebrations of the Christmas in Belgium. This beguiling country transforms into an incredible winter wonderful during the month of December.
As you explore the country, you will come across historic town squares that are now festive marketplaces. Then there are the medieval buildings that glow with the holiday decorations.
The spirit of the Christmas celebrations touches every corner of the Belgium. So, grab a Belgium visa and read this guide to know all about celebrations, traditions and Christmas markets of Belgium!
The holiday season of the Belgium begins very early in the month of December. These celebrations then extend till the early of January.
During this time, you will find the Belgium streets come alive with the festive decorations and the cheerful music. In addition to this, the beautiful Christmas markets pop up across the major cities and towns.
In this season, you will have the chance to enjoy some of the local delicacies. These include the speculoos cookies and the mulled wine. You will find these to be readily available.
Apart from this, you will enjoy seeing the historic buildings with beautiful decorations. These will serve us as stunning backdrops for your photos. The weather during this time may be cold. However, the hearts of the residents and the holidaymakers will be warm, thanks to the seasonal joy!
The Christmas market of the Antwerp spreads across multiple squares in the historic city centre. The market will be open for the public from 6th December 2024. It will remain open till the 5th January 2025.
When you first visit this market, it will surprise you with its numerous stalls. In fact, you will find close to 100 stalls or more. In these, you will find a lot of amazing things like the holiday treats and treasures.
Do not miss out on the popular Grote Market. This place becomes a wonderful winter paradise with an exciting ice rink. You will also love the traditional crafts and the unique gifts items which the local artisans showcase.
Make sure to visit the Cathedral of Our Lady. This wonderful attraction provides a stunning backdrop for the Christmas festivities. While exploring the market, you will enjoy the performances by the street performers. These include a lot of music and exciting shows!
In the market, the atmosphere is full of aroma of mouth-watering delights. Think, the grilled sausages and the warm chocolate.
If you are travelling with kids, they will also have a gala time in the Antwerp Christmas Market. You can let them enjoy the rides on the vintage carousel. You will find this near the river!
The medieval city of the Bruges becomes a beautiful and magical place during the Christmas season. The market will be open from 22nd November 2024 and will close on 5th January 2025. When you visit this iconic destination, you will a lot of amazing things.
The first one is the market centres. You will come across them around the Market Square and the Simon Stevinplein. When you visit these markets, you will find beautiful wooden chalets. These will sell a lot of things starting from the handmade ornaments to the local delicacies.
One incredible activity that you must not miss is the ice skating. But, not just in any other ice rink. You have to enjoy it in front of the historic Belfry. This will create some perfect opportunities for clicking photos with your near and dear.
Another wonderful thing to not miss are the rides on the horse-drawn carriages. As you ride on these, you will clip-clop through the decorated streets of the Bruges.
While exploring the markets, take some time to stop at the Chocolate shops. These feature delicious and exclusive holiday treats and well as captivating demonstrations.
The canals of the Bruges are just as beautiful as the in-city attractions. When you visit the canals, you will enjoy seeing the reflection of the thousands of the lights. Make sure to book an evening boat tour while you are in the Bruges. This will enable you to get a unique perspective of the Christmas lights of the city. So, why wait any longer? Book your Belgium visa appointment today!
If you want to visit one of the finest Christmas holiday destinations in the Europe, then you should go to the Brussels. And in this place, you must visit the Winter Wonders, the fascinating Christmas market of Brussels.
This market has another name – the Plaisirs d’Hiver. You will find this market at the Grand Place which is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Also, this place extends to many other popular areas. These include the Place de la Bourse, Place Sainte-Catherine, and Place de Brouckère.
The market starts from November 29, 2024. It will remain open till the 5th of January 2025!
In the market, there are close to 260 incredible stalls. These stalls boast a lot of wonderful things like the handmade gifts, local crafts, festive food and the drinks.
One thing that will impress you the most is the 20-metre high Christmas tree at Grand Place. This tree features a lot of decorations on it, thanks to the Make-A-Wish foundation.
Around 3 million people visit this market each year. So, you can understand how hugely popular this place is. The market boasts a magical ambiance, thanks to the festive lights. In addition to that, there are music concerts at the Saints Michel and the Gudule Cathedral every Sunday in December. Apart from this, you will also enjoy a variety of performances.
Then, there are the immersive experiences like the magical storytelling for children. Adults will enjoy the acoustic music sessions. Do not miss out on the culinary delights like the mulled wine and the Belgium chocolates.
Other attractions include the giant Ferris wheel at Place Sainte-Catherine and the ice skating rink at Place de Brouckere. All you need is a Belgium visa from UK to enjoy these attractions of Christmas in Belgium!
A popular and loved Christmas market in Belgium is the one at Liege. This market is full of rich traditions and the festive ambience.
To reach this market, you must go to the Place du Marché and the Place St. Lambert. This place boasts the exciting Christmas Ice Rink at Place de la Cathédrale.
The market will start from 29th November 2024. It will run till the 30th December 2024. However, the ice rink of the market will remain open till 5th January 2025.
One of the major draws of this market are the 200 wooden chalets. Here, you will a variety of goods to buy. These include the artisanal crafts and the decorations. There are the traditional Belgium foods like the Liège waffles, chocolates, and mulled wine. You will also get the chance to enjoy international delicacies from various countries at the Gourmand Village” on Place St. Lambert.
Another major attraction of this market is the 30-metre high Ferris wheel. Then there is the large ice skating rink, a sledding run for children, live music and entertainment.
What makes the Liege Christmas market popular is its historical significance. The market is one of the oldest Christmas markets in the Belgium and boasts 35 years of tradition .
While exploring the market, make sure to relish the local specialties. These include the baked camembert, marzipan, blood sausage (boudin noir), and various international dishes.
A fascinating aspect of the Christmas season in Belgium are its traditions. You will come across fusion of religious customs and family celebrations in the Belgium.
One of the first traditions you will notice is the visit of St. Nicholas. He comes to visit the Children on the 6th of December and not the Christmas eve. In fact, this tradition has a name – Sinterklass Day. On the day, the children wake up in the morning anticipating gifts left by the Sinterklass.
Another wonderful thing that you will love is the gathering of families. They do this for elaborate Christmas dinners which goes by the name “Reveillon”. Apart from this, the Churches in Belgium feature beautifully crafted nativity scenes across the December.
A typical Christmas morning breakfast in Belgium begins will special breakfast breads and hot chocolate. Make sure to try it out!
Many of the holidaymaker families and the residents attend the midnight mass on Christmas Eve. If you want the true essence of Christmas celebrations, then make sure to attend this.
If beers perk up your taste buds then you will find a lot of special Christmas beers. These will be in full stock across cafes and restaurants of the Belgium.
Traditional foods also find a lot of importance during the Christmas. Make sure to try out the Cougnou. This is a special sweet bread which has the shape of baby Jesus. You will find these across major bakeries.
Christmas in Belgium offers you an incredibly wonderful festive time. This is thanks to the delightful fusion of tradition, festive spirt and the charm.
Right from the glittering markets to the beguiling traditions, every Christmas moment in Belgium creates lasting memories. The holiday celebrations of the country charmingly showcase the rich cultural heritage and the warm hospitality.
So, make sure to thoroughly plan your Belgium Christmas adventure with the help of this guide. Grab a Belgium visa from UK to discover why this small country delivers such an exciting holiday magic!
1. What are the best Christmas markets to visit in Belgium?
Belgium boasts numerous charming Christmas markets, with top choices including Brussels Winter Wonders, Liege’s Village de Noel and Bruges’ Winter Glow. Each market provides local crafts and foods in addition to creating an incredible magical environment.
2. What traditional foods can I find at Belgian Christmas markets?
Visitors to Belgian Christmas markets can savor traditional dishes like Liege waffles , gluhwein and chocolate; other popular offerings include roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate or festive pastries .
3. Are there special events or activities at the Christmas markets?
Yes, many Belgian Christmas markets feature exciting special events like live music performances, ice skating rinks and festive light displays. Antwerp hosts both an ice rink and ferris wheel while Liege offers giant sledding runs.
4. What is the significance of glühwein at Belgian Christmas markets?
Gluhwein is a traditional spiced mulled wine served at many European Christmas markets, such as those in Belgium. This warm beverage symbolizes warmth and festivity during the cold winter months and can be enjoyed while strolling through the market or socializing with friends.
5. Are there any tips for visiting Belgian Christmas markets?
Make the most of your visit to Belgian Christmas markets by arriving early and taking a leisurely stroll, avoiding crowds. Dress warmly as temperatures can become chilly at night; sample delicious local delicacies while shopping for unique handmade gifts to support local artisans.