10 Best Christmas Markets in Belgium
Christmas is just around the corner and we can’t wait for the holiday season to begin already! The warmth of fairy lights in the crisp air draught, perfectly cooked turkey, candy cane blends peppermint schnapps with berry vodka, the comfort of snuggly sweaters and the most beautiful - Christmas markets. Offering Christmas gifts, Christmas tree decorations, handicrafts, culinary treats, confectionery, and warming drinks, these markets don’t cease to please everyone, young and old alike!
From the middle of November until Christmas, pretty squares come alive with all this and more. Soak up the sights, smells and sounds as you wander around the markets amidst the aroma of warming mulled wine enjoyed with a generous sprinkling of cheering carols, that will get even the biggest of humbugs into the Christmas spirit! There couldn’t be a place more perfect than Europe to douse in Christmas! Dig a little deeper and you are bound to conclude that Belgium is perhaps ‘the place’ for the quintessential Christmas vacation in Europe! From all things Christmasy to its magical Christmas markets, winter in Belgium indeed is a wonderful time to visit. And so we bring to you these amazing Christmas markets in Belgium, that will leave you awestruck! (updated for 2019)
1. Liege Christmas Village
Image source: wikipedia.org
Beginning with the oldest one in Belgium, the Liege Christmas market village celebrates its 30th birthday this year! Attracting over 1.5 million visitors every year are its more than 200 chalets. Interestingly, this is not only the oldest but also the largest in Belgium. A sledding slope, an ice-skating rink, and a collection of Christmas baubles add to the allure of this market.
Address: 4000 Liège, Belgium
Dates: 29 November to 30 December 2019
Timings:
- Sunday - Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
- Thursday - Saturday: 11 a.m. - midnight
2. Christmas markets in Bruges
Image source: pixabay.com
Much to your delight, the Bruges market takes place at two places in Bruges! While the one at Market Square has more of food and drink stands, along with Christmas decorations, the Simon Stevin Square has a bit of everything. A perfect fairytale that this looks like, you will pretty, wooden chalets surrounding a glittering ice rink, where skaters swish and stumble in the shadow of the 83m-high belfry here at the markets.
Address: Market Square and Simon Stevin Square
Date: 22 November 2019 to 5 January 2020
Timings:
- Sunday-Thursday: 10.30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
- Friday-Saturday: 10.30 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Take a note of top Souvenirs From Europe to shop for this Christmas season
3. Christmas markets in Brussels
Image source: flickr.com/Gary Bembridge
Taking place in the heart of Brussels, the Brussels Christmas market is also called the Winter Wonders. With a large part of the center of Brussels becoming car-free, the Brussels Christmas markets will now expand from the Grand Place up to the Place St. Catherine. What to look out for here - the magical son & lumiere illuminations on the Grand-Place, Christmas markets in the city centre, attractions including merry-go-rounds on Place Sainte-Catherine, the large wheel, and ice rink at Marché aux Poissons and the stalls for stocking up on gifts and treats within a 2km trail among many others.
Address: Grand-Place and around the Bourse, the Place de la Monnaie, the Place Sainte-Catherine and the Marché aux Poissons.
Dates: 29 November 2019 to 5 January 2020
Timings: Everyday from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
4. Ghent Christmas market
Image source: wikipedia.org
Go ice skating, ride the ferris wheel, watch street performances or wander along the more than 130 stands, there is something for everyone at the Ghent Christmas market. Don’t miss out on the special Moose bar and the region's food and drinks, such as chocolates, cookies and local specialties while shopping for Christmas goodies.
Address: Groentenmarkt, Emille Braunplein, Korenmarkt, St.-Baafsplein
Dates: 6 December 2019 to 5 January 2020
Timings:
- Monday - Thursday: 11 a.m. - between 9 p.m. and midnight
- Friday: 12 p.m. - between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
- Saturday: 11 a.m. - between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. - between 9 p.m. and midnight
5. Antwerp Christmas market
Image source: flickr.com/Ricardo Samaniego
With something new every year, the Antwerp Christmas market is always a pleasant surprise! From dancers to a choir, this market will not cease to amaze you. With 90 festive stalls, offering all kinds of traditional specialty goods, a range of food and drinks on sale, and nativity scenes, all set amidst the backdrop of Antwerp's historic building, a visit here is a one-of-its-kind experience.
Address: Steenplein, Suikerrui, Grote Markt, Handschoenmarkt, and Groenplaats
Dates: 7 December 2019 to 5 January 2020
Timings:
- Monday-Thursday: 12 p.m. - 9 p.m.
- Friday: 12 p.m. - 11 p.m.
- Saturday: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
- December 24 and 31: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Also shop at :
Christmas markets in Italy
6. Leuven Christmas market
Image source: flickr.com/Anton Raath
Existing for the past 27 years, the Leuven Christmas market has been one of the pioneers in the country. Food and shopping, go hand in hand here. Look for handicrafts, small interior decoration items, and seasonal products too.
Address: Hooverplein and Ladeuzeplein
Dates: 11 December - 22 December 2019
Timings:
- Monday-Wednesday: 12 – 10 pm
- Thursday-Friday: 12 – 11 pm
- Saturday: 11 am – 11 pm
- Sunday: 11 am – 10 pm
7. Hasselt Christmas market
Image source: pixabay.com
Part of the Hasselt Winterland, you will find an ice skating rink, a carousel, a roller coaster and more. With all this and more this is one place that turns into the most atmospheric Christmas town! More than 100 stalls participate in the market, to serve you the best. Indulge in the tastiest winter snacks and drinks.
Address: Kolonel Dussartplein
Dates: 23 November 2019 to 5 January 2020
Timings:
- Daily: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- December 24: Closing time is 6 p.m.
- December 25: Opening time is 2 p.m.
- January 1: Opening time is 1 p.m.
8. Namur Christmas market
Image source: wikipedia.org
Behold the sight of magic unfolding before your eyes, as the city bathes itself in colors and lights of Christmas. Made up of some hundred chalets, the market offers some great shopping and eating indulgences. Concerts, choirs, folkloric groups, and brass bands liven up the place along with various tastings and the inescapable classics of Le Repre des Rennes and the Ice-skating rink on place de l'Ange!
Address: Place de l’Ange, Place du Théatre, Place de l’Armes
Dates: 29 November to 31 December 2019
Timings:
- Sunday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 10.30 p.m.
- Friday: 11 a.m. – 11.30 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. – 11.30 p.m.
- November 30: 3 p.m.- 11.30 p.m.
- December 25: 3 p.m.- 11.30 p.m.
- December 31: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
9. Arlon Christmas market
Image source: kaboompics.com
A quaint cozy Christmas market, the Arlon Christmas market is held under a large tent. With stalls displaying and selling artisanal products, food, and drinks, there is also a Santa Claus to greet the young and old. Currently in its ninth edition, the market is rightly placed in the heart of the town.
Address: Place Léopold and the Old Justice Palace
Dates: 13 December - 15 December 2019
Timings:
- December 14: 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- December 15: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
- December 16: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
10. Mons Christmas market
Image source: flickr.com/Tanya Hart
Held under the theme "Heart of Snow" ("Coeur de Neige”), the Mons Christmas market, is put up in the Grand' Place. Cozy chalets packed with produce from various different countries offer some irresistible variety! The huge Christmas tree will catch your attention, the minute you enter the market. As will the lights, decorations, musical performances, and a heart-shaped ice rink! All these will give the pretty centre of Mons the much-sought festive feel.
Address: Grand Place
Dates: 14 December 2019 - 5 January 2020
Timings:
- Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.
- Friday-Sunday: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
With these Christmas markets, you are ought to be lured wanting Christmas to stay forever!
Not done with your shopping? Here are Christmas markets across Europe for you!!
Featured image source: pixabay.com
