If you are planning on visiting Belgium in Winter to go to the Belgium Christmas Markets then here are some tips to help you make the most of your visit. I have also summarised the main Christmas Markets in Belgium below. Having visited Belgium in December for the first time this year we learnt a lot. Especially as we took the boys with us. When we told friends and family I think they thought we were slightly unhinged for attempting the Belgium Christmas markets with kids. But we had a brilliant time. It was the perfect start to our holiday season, seeing all the Christmas decorations and trying out all the delicious food. However, I wish I had known about some of these in advance.
18 Tips to make the most of Christmas Markets in Belgium
Cash is king
In a post-pandemic world and especially here in the United Kingdom, we have got used to operating without cash. And although we did manage with debit cards as quite a number of places took them. I would still plan to carry cash and use this the majority of the time. We didn’t struggle to find bank machines and used Google Maps to help locate the nearest ATM. As usual, they are inside in Europe.
Euro deposits
Many of the places selling food or drinks would charge one or two euros as a deposit for the dish or cup. This is for the plastic style. We only saw one place selling ceramic mugs for mulled wine. Which we did buy as a souvenir. You can return your plastic items either to a stall or a special exchange area. They are all clearly sign posted. Many places will refill as well so you do not need to end up with a pocket full of change.
The only thing we did notice is that quite a few people were asking for the bowls/cups. Normally they went away with a gentle no. But someone did ask the boys for their hot chocolate cups which I felt was a step too far. Generally, we were not bothered too much though and it is to be expected in some of the larger markets.
Think about your location and accommodation
Most of the Christmas markets will take place in the city center. Normally a little spread out since many of the towns and villages have medieval squares and old streets. When visiting the Belgium Christmas markets with kids I was keen to make sure our accommodation was close to the market. So that it was only a short walk for the boys. Knowing that they would be on their feet for the majority of the time. If you are unsure where the market will be then its worth doing some research or heading towards the Grote Markt. Which is generally the main square. So even if the whole market is not in that one location something should be.
The boys generally did very well, especially the younger ones. But I was very grateful for the hotels being close by the end of the day.
Book early
Just like any sort of travel booking, you will generally get a better deal if you book in advance. Travelling with the boys we are not so flexible as it needs to be around school holidays. So last-minute offer trips generally don’t work for us as they generally are not in the school holidays. The Belgium Christmas markets are also very popular so to get the best deals it is best to plan and book early. This will also give you the widest choice of accommodation for your budget over the Christmas holidays. We booked our trip in August for December. But this was without flights
Winter tyres
We had intended on going to the German Christmas markets but changed to Belgium because of the Winter tyre rules. In Germany, you must have winter tyres on your car from generally from October onwards. While in Belgium when we visited it was not compulsory. Please do check the tyre rules in advance in case they have changed or are different for the specific area you are visiting. For more information see the Michelin Tyre website.
Do your research
Christmas markets in the UK seem to open a lot earlier in comparison to those in Belgium. So it is worth doing your research into the dates of the markets you may want to visit. To ensure you are visiting Belgium in Winter at the right time. Where possible I will update this post with them as they are released below. However, I would recommend doing your own research in advance. Generally, they are open from late November through the month of December. Finishing on New Year’s Eve. Some may be open into early January but this is the exception.
The food
One of the reasons to visit over Christmas time is the food! There is so much to choose from even if you planned a week’s road trip around all the Belgium Christmas markets I am not sure if you would get to sample everything. Although we did try out best during our short visit.
The boys particularly liked the hot chocolate. To make it they heat up a well-known European chocolate milk brand which suited them perfectly. We also discovered you could opt for cold chocolate milk if you wanted. For the adults, there is of course Belgian beer and mulled wine by the plenty. However, be warned that Christmas beer which can be very high in alcohol. In general Belgian beers are a higher percentage than those we drink in the UK.
Food wise we saw and tried all sorts. From the obligatory Belgium fries with Mayonnaise to Tartiflette in a crepe bowl. There were fondue, cheese and salami nibbles, bitterballen, and of course bratwurst. Probably the longest I have ever seen. Not to mention fondue served in a bread bowl. It was all delicious. We did not book restaurants instead preferring to order food and then wander or sit at one of the many different sheltered areas (Brussels).
Those with a sweet tooth are also in for a treat, with candy floss, toffee apples and round small doughnuts covered in powdered sugar called oliebollen. Not to mention the Belgian waffles that come with all sorts of toppings. However we decided our favourite was the plain sweet Liege waffles.
Average weather
When visiting Belgium in Winter it is worth considering the weather, which will be similar to that in the UK. When we visited the forecast was rain for the whole time we were there. Thankfully we did manage to avoid some of it and still have a good time. I would recommend packing for the cold weather and treating it much like the Winter season here with waterproof coats, hats and gloves in the evening.
What to pack
As well as the obvious layers which always work better when travelling in the colder months and with kids. The other thing which is worth considering is good walking shoes for cobblestone streets. Much of the old town of many of the Belgium cities and towns are made up of cobbles. So a shoe with good ankle support is essential and something with a thick sole. I found that my trainers were not really sufficient.
Think about the mornings and things to do
When visiting the Belgium Christmas markets with kids you may want to plan some things to do in the mornings. Since many of the Belgium Christmas markets do not open until after midday. Most of the locations of the Christmas markets are tourist attractions in their own right and so there is normally plenty to do including lots of inside attractions when the weather is a bit wet. During our visit, we headed to the Natural Sciences Museum in Brussels and also the Heritage Library in Antwerp.
Sinterklaas or Father Christmas
Do not be surprised if you do not see much to do with Father Christmas. This is because many children in Belgium celebrate St Nicholas Eve. Sinterklaas is a traditional figure from Dutch folklore and is celebrated in the Netherlands, as well as in Belgium. The feast of Sinterklaas is celebrated on the evening of December 5th (St. Nicholas Eve) and December 6th, which is the feast day of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children.
Sinterklaas is depicted as an older, man with a long white beard, wearing a red bishop’s attire, and a mitre. And so looks similar to Father Christmas, St Nic or Santa. Children typically put out their shoes by the fireplace or windowsill, along with a carrot or hay for Sinterklaas’s horse. In the hope that Sinterklaas will leave small gifts or treats in return. On the evening of December 5th, families gather to exchange gifts and enjoy special Sinterklaas treats, such as chocolate letters, pepernoten (spiced cookies), and marzipan figurines.
Consider travelling by train
I mentioned above about Winter tyres and with the ever-increasing costs of flying, you may want to consider travelling by train. Not only are the train networks much better in Europe but all the markets will have access to a train station. With direct trains via Eurostar to Brussels and then regional trains thereafter. Which also means you do not have to have a designated driver.
Book in advance
If you are planning on doing certain activities at the Christmas markets. If you do want to attend specific attractions during your visit then it is worth trying to book these in advance. Since the markets do get extremely busy which in turn can make some attractions busy. I did try to book the curling in advance which you could do online although they used a payment gateway that we did not have access to here in the UK.
Plan a route
If you want to pick up more than one of the Christmas Markets in Belgium then plan your route first. Most will take place in the historic center and so can take longer to reach than anticipated. Some markets you will want to stay longer at, others are smaller and ideal for a day trip. My suggestion would be to allow more time than you would initially expect. So that you are not running from one to another. We spent a long time just soaking up the Christmas spirit and enjoying the atmosphere. Which we would have missed if we had been rushing around.
Don’t worry about restaurants
As I mentioned above you do not need to worry about booking a restaurant or ensuring you have somewhere to eat. Since there are so many market stalls. The food is one of the best things about visiting the Belgium Christmas markets. There are lots of choices including vegetarian food.
Visit in the daytime as well
I didn’t think that the Christmas markets would really be worth visiting until it got dark. Of course, when it was dark and all the Christmas lights were on it was beautiful. But we actually preferred the markets in the afternoon partly because of the less crowds (see below). Partly because it was easier to keep an eye on the kids and also because you could see all the buildings in the old town. In the dark, you run the risk of missing something.
Avoid the crowds
We visited mid-week before Christmas while the kids were on school holidays. We found that the markets really were not that busy during the day. Only getting busier from late afternoon onwards. I can imagine that had we visited over the weekend this would not have been the case and they could have been busy all day. Going earlier in November I am sure would also achieve the same thing.
Belgium Christmas Markets – things to do
There is so much to do at each Christmas market. If you are planning on visiting lots of different ones then you may want to consider how you will divide the activities up. So that you do not end up doing the same thing at each one. Also, they will offer slightly different things. When we visited we found that most would have an ice-skating rink. It seems it is not normally possible to book this in advance. If visiting the the Belgium Christmas Markets with kids then you may want to do this early in the day before it gets too busy. Also more chance of getting a penguin or similar. We found Curling at the Brussels market which was a great hit with the kids.
There could also be a Giant Ferris Wheel, again when we visited the queues were not long for these. Some places such as Brugges may offer specific activities such as going on a horse-drawn carriage. Depending on the size of the market the mosts with the most wooden chalets and opportunities to buy Christmas gifts are likely to have more activities. It is worth checking the information boards or websites for details on live entertainment or a light show. So that you can build this into your plans.
Since this is all part of the experience and the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.
Belgium Christmas Markets
I have tried to bring together the best Christmas markets in Belgium below. Covering the main locations. If you can think of one that I am missing then please let me know in the comments below and I will get them added to this post.
Brussels Christmas Market
The largest Christmas market in Belgium is unsurprisingly in the capital city. Brussels Christmas Market or The Winter Wonders event is probably the most popular in markets in Europe.
- Key Highlights: Activities include an ice skating rink, curling, a Ferris wheel, light displays, and a vibrant atmosphere in the heart of the city with over 200 wooden stalls. There are live music performances and entertainment on selected days details of this can be found on the website. There is a light show across the Grand Place in the main square, along with a large Christmas tree and nativity scene. The interactive map is particularly handy and also highlights other light displays across the city including those at place Sainte-Catherine. In two of the areas, there are also carousel rides for children.
- Main Location: Typically in the heart of Brussels. A map can be found on their website – here.
- Dates 2023/2024: 24th November to the 31st of December. The events at the Grand-Place (Christmas tree and sound and light show), the Place De Brouckère (ice rink and curling rinks) and Place de la Monnaie are extended until Sunday 7 January 2024
- Read about our visit – Brussels Christmas Market Belgium Good To Know Before You Go
Bruges Christmas Market
What better way than to enjoy the historic city centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site than when it is dressed up in its Christmas finery. The Christmas lights transform its the Bruges Christmas Market into a fairy tale over the festive season
- Key Highlights: The historic city of Bruges hosts a traditional Christmas market called Winter Glow. It is often referred to as the best Belgian Christmas markets. As it hosts two against the backdrop of its medieval architecture. with stalls offering seasonal treats, crafts, and gifts. With the intoxicating scent of fresh waffles lingers in the air and the streets are dressed like gingerbread houses with festive fairy lights reflected in the canal. There is also a lightup experience trail which in 2023 included ten different installations across the city. And ice rink.
- Main Location: There were two locations for Bruges Christmas Market, taking place in the Markt and Simon Stevinplien. It is about a five-minute walk between the two locations. You can download a Winter Glow plan from their website which details the light trail and also the markets.
- Dates 2023/2024: 24th November to the 31st of December. The light experience trail in Bruges Christmas Market runs until the 7th of January
Antwerp Christmas Market
Often viewed as Belgium’s second city the Antwerp Christmas Market is much smaller than its sister. Although what it lacks in size it makes up for with its party atmosphere.
- Key Highlights: Located in the city centre and spread over six different areas. The Antwerp Christmas Market features live music, an indoor ice rink with Winter Bar, a Ferris wheel and illuminated decorations. Along with an array of stalls offering local crafts, food, and drinks. There are approximately 70 wooden stalls split across the sites. There is a New Years Eve firework display.
- Main Location: The Antwerp Christmas Market was spread across six locations in 2023 due to building works that were taking place. I think this affected the atmosphere and that it was spread too thinly. Hopefully, for 2024 the work will have been completed and it will be brought back to its original location. More information can be found on their website.
- Dates 2023/2024: Friday 8 December 2023 to Sunday 7 January 2024
- Read about our visit – Antwerp Christmas Market Belgium Good To Know Before You Go
Christmas Market in Ghent
With so much going on for the whole family I can see why Ghent Christmas Market is so popular. Also known as the Ghent Winter Festival, make sure you check if travelling by car as it takes place in the low emissions zone and you are required to register before travelling.
- Key Highlights: Try out the huge Christmas balls on the Sapin Magique ride, do not miss the carrousel or giant Ferris wheel. Show off your skills on the roller rink, something a little different to your traditional ice rink. Santa will also make an appearance and bring along all sorts of magical creatures including reindeer and polar bears. The Castle is all decorated in a Winter Wonderland theme full of festive spirit. There is even a Christmas tram making this the perfect place for Belgium Christmas markets with kids.
- Main Location: Ghent’s Christmas Market is located in the historic centre. With more than 150 wooden huts spread out from Sint-Baafsplein, along the Botermarkt and Klein Turkije to the end of the Korenmarkt.
- Dates 2023/2024: Runs from the 7th of December to the 31st of December
Leuven Christmas Market
The Leuven Christmas Market is in its 35th year, one of the smaller of the Belgium Christmas Markets. This charming Christmas market full of a festive atmosphere.
- Key Highlights: As well as live music most evenings and festive market stalls you have the chance to visit Santa Claus. He is based in his pine forest in the middle of the Ladeuzeplein and can be visited every day in the afternoon.
- Main Location: Hoover & Ladeuze Square
- Dates 2023/2024: Running from the 7th of December to the 21st of December it is one of the shorter run markets.
Liege Christmas Market
It is impossible to pass through Liege during the month of December without making a detour to its famous Christmas Village. Liege Christmas Market, is often said to be the oldest Christmas market in Belgium
- Key Highlights: Don’t miss the Ferris wheel, the sledging track, the souvenir photo booths, the famous public Scrieu, the village post office. Comprising of over 200 wooden chalets, an ice rink, and a festive program of events, it is a popular destination for holiday cheer.
- Locations: In the city centre.
- Dates 2023/2024: Runs from the end of November 24th to the 7th of January.
Namur Christmas Market
One of the smaller markets in comparison to the others, Namur Christmas Market has around 70 market stalls.
- Key Highlights: Explore the Place d’Armes and discover wooden chalets, gifts, and artisanal flavours that will remind you of the sweet scents of Christmas. At Place de l’Ange you can find the ice rink and Santa’s house. Which is open every Wednesday and Saturday at Place du Théâtre, under the shade of a sparkling fir tree.
- Locations: Place d’Armes, Namur, Belgique
- Dates 2023/2024: 1st to the 31st of December
Mons Coeur en Neige
Mons Coeur en Neige or “Mons Heart in Snow,” is a winter event that takes place in the city of Mons, Belgium. The Christmas festival transforms the city into a winter wonderland, featuring an array of activities and attractions for all ages.
- Key Highlights: Planned for 2024 a craft market and stalls dedicated to flavours from all around the world. A magic kiosk where you can meet Father and Mother Christmas. Santa’s letterbox for children to post their Christmas wishes, a nativity scene and a programme of Christmassy concerts. A Christmas tree-inspired ride and donkey rides.
- Locations: City centre
- Dates 2023/2024: In 2023 the market ran throughout December, although they are already giving dates from the end of November into December for 2024.
Winter in Ostend
If you want to visit Belgium in the Winter and still be by the sea then Winter in Ostend is for you.
- Key Highlights: This traditional market is on the smaller side with around 50 wooden chalets in the park which is transformed with lots of Christmas trees. An ice rink is also available. It also features a 180m light tunnel with over 230,000 LED lights and a show four times a day, it runs along the Adolf Buylstraat, shopping street. You can book to see Santa and there is other daily entertainment and special activities for children during the Christmas holidays to complete this ultimate winter experience.
- Locations: The market and ice rink is located at Leopoldpark
- Dates 2023/2024: 1st December to the 7th of January
Hasselt Christmas Market
The 15th edition of Winter Land which is the Hasselt Christmas Market runs in 2023/2024.
- Key Highlights: Bookable activities are offered via the website. There are a lot of things to do at this Beligum Christmas Market for kids. Including breakfast with Santa, a huge indoor ice rink, a wooden slide and a giant Ferris wheel. It is one of the smaller markets with around 50 wooden chalets to browse. But there is also the Almhütte, which is an original Austrian mountain chalet with performances of Austrian music and authentic snacks. Not to mention the Grand Cafe.
- Locations: City Centre
- Dates 2023/2024: Runs from the 17th of November to the 7th of January
We can not wait to get back to Belgium to explore more of the Christmas markets on offer. There is so much to do at the Belgium Christmas markets with kids. Have you visited a European Christmas Market? Let me know about your experience in the comments below.
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