The best Christmas markets in Belgium in 2024

Germany isn’t the only European country that goes crazy for Christmas markets. Once the festive season arrives, Belgium’s biggest cities transform into enchanting winter wonderlands filled with fairground rides, carol singers, and, of course, traditional wooden huts selling all kinds of goodies.

Whether you want to shop and sip on Glühwein, jump on heart-pounding funfair rides, or simply lap up the majestic atmosphere, these spectacular Christmas markets are sure to get you in the festive spirit.

Here are some of the best that Belgium has to offer:

Winter Wonders – Brussels

Once hailed as ‘Europe’s most original Christmas market’, Winter Wonders is the most famous festive market in Belgium.

Known locally as Plaisirs d’Hiver (‘Winter Fun’ in French), the impressive market features a large ice-skating rink, numerous fairground rides, and a spectacular sound and light show that sees colorful projections illuminate the facade of the Grand Place.

Each year, more than three million visitors descend upon Belgium’s capital to lap up the festive atmosphere and browse more than 250 wooden stalls scattered across the city center.

Visitors can shop for all kinds of beautiful gifts along the 2.5 km-long route while indulging in an array of traditional festive bites. They can also enjoy fantastic views of the city by hopping on the giant Ferris wheel at Place Sainte-Catherine.

Winter Wonders: 29 November 2024 – 5 January 2025

Christmas Village – Liège

For more than 30 years, Liège (Dutch: Luik) has hosted a magnificent Village de Noël (Christmas Village), which brings the long Belgian tradition of festive markets to the city.

Each year, around two million visitors come to marvel at the illuminated monuments around the Saint Paul Cathedral and shop at more than 200 stalls selling decorations, gifts, and food. Meanwhile, choir singers, music groups, and folk dancers entertain the crowds at the podium.

Market highlights include a 30-meter-high Ferris wheel, a giant ice rink, and an exciting sledding run for kids – and big kids.

Foodies, meanwhile, will no doubt enjoy sampling all kinds of delicious bites, including baked camembert, marzipan, and black pudding, at the various gourmet stalls.

Given that the city is the birthplace of the Liège waffle, Galler chocolate, and pèket (the Belgian version of gin), you will find plenty of these gems, too.

Liège Christmas Village: 29 November – 30 December 2024 (ice rink open until 5 January 2025)

Christmas Market – Antwerp

With atmospheric light displays on show and the sound of choir singing and classical music filling the air, the historic city center of Antwerp is the place to be come Christmas time. Notably, every Sunday in December is Shopping Sunday in Antwerp, where a large selection of stores are open, giving you more time to hunt for presents.

The city is also the perfect spot to pick up some beautiful gifts as more than a hundred stalls selling all sorts of goodies set up shop in the bustling Christmas market in Operaplein and Hendrik Conscienceplein.

However, if you are simply looking to soak up the festive atmosphere, you can watch a range of Christmas concerts throughout the season, which culminate in an epic New Year’s Eve firework display on the Scheldt River.

Little ones, meanwhile, can enjoy a spin on the ice skating rink or hop on the nearby Ferris wheel to lap up fantastic views of the city down below.

Antwerp Christmas Market: 6 December 2024 – 5 January 2025

Winter Glow – Bruges

The beautiful medieval city of Bruges is picturesque at any time of year. However, it is particularly breathtaking during Winter Glow (Wintergloed), when the old cobblestone streets of the historic center come to life with thousands of twinkling lights.

There’s an array of magical experiences during the festive season. Visitors can go ice skating at an outdoor rink, sip on Glühwein at the cozy Vorst Winter Bar, and, of course, buy gifts at the city’s two Christmas markets. Needless to say, they are the ideal places to indulge in the city’s traditional delicacies, including specialty waffles, hot chocolate, and of course, beer.

Bruges hosts a range of festive concerts throughout December. This includes a Light Experience Trail, which sees a series of 10 installations illuminate the city as darkness falls. The bravest among us can also take the plunge with a chilly Christmas dive on 21 December.

Winter Glow: 22 November 2024 – 5 January 2025

Christmas Market – Ostend

Each year, the quaint seaside resort of Oostende transforms into a fairytale scene as the annual Christmas market comes to Leopoldpark.

Filled to the brim with unique crafts and festive decorations, the sprawling market is the ideal place to shop for gifts while lapping up the cozy atmosphere. There are plenty of food and drink stalls to indulge in too, as well as Santa’s House and a 1,000 square-meter ice rink to keep the kids entertained.

The real highlight, however, is the 188-meter-long tunnel in the Adolf Buylstraat shopping street that is lit by a canopy of more than 200,000 fairy lights.

Ostend is also hosting a New Year’s Dive on 4 January, where thousands of brave locals will welcome 2024 by plunging into the chilly North Sea for – quite literally – thrills.

Ostend Christmas Market: TBD (last year’s dates: 1 December 2023 – 7 January 2024)

Christmas Market – Ghent

More than 150 wooden chalets set up shop each year in the heart of Ghent as the city’s popular Christmas market comes to town. Stretching across Sint-Baafsplein, Klein Turkije, and Korenmarkt, the stalls sell everything from handmade gifts and trinkets to festive drinks and snacks.

Those looking to lap up the cozy atmosphere can sip on hot Glühwein and watch live music performances under a ceiling of twinkling lights set against the city’s medieval backdrop. Visitors can also enjoy a Christmas stroll through the city’s illuminated historical center, highlighting important monuments along the way.

More adventurous market-goers can take a spin on Belgium’s largest mobile roller rink before warming up with a hot chocolate at the nearby bar, Chez Babette. Meanwhile, Children and those young at heart will no doubt enjoy hopping inside a giant Christmas bauble on the Sapin Magique carousel or riding the Reindeer carousel at St Bavo’s Cathedral.

Ghent Christmas Market: 5 December – 31 December 2024

Christmas Market – Leuven

The Leuven Christmas Market is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Belgium and is often hailed as one of the ‘coziest’ in Europe.

More than 170 wooden stalls selling an assortment of festive decorations and crafts can be found scattered across the city’s picturesque Grote Markt. This is also home to a magnificent Christmas tree which forms a beautiful centerpiece and majestic backdrop to the event.

As well as browsing the market, visitors can delve into a range of delicious gourmet food and drink from the various trucks dotted along Monseigneur Ladeuzeplein and Herbert Hooverplein.

They can also enjoy a range of festive events at these locations, including intimate Christmas concerts and performances by local musicians and artists.

There is plenty to keep little ones happy too, including carousel rides, interactive workshops, an ice skating rink, and a visit to Santa’s cottage in the middle of the woods.  

Leuven Christmas Market: 11 December – 22 December 2024

Other Christmas markets in Belgium and Europe

Can’t get enough of the Christmas spirit? There are plenty of other Christmas markets in Belgium, including:

• Charleroi: Christmas Village (Village de Noël), TBD (last year’s dates: 24 December 2023 – 7 January 2024)
• De Panne: Christmas Village, 14 December 2024 – 5 January 2025
• Hasselt: Winterland, 15 November 2024 – 5 January 2025
• Iepes (French: Ypres): Ieper Christmas Market, TBD
• Mechelen: various Christmas events, 8 – 23 December 2024

If you’re elsewhere on the continent, that doesn’t mean missing out on the festive cheer! Check out Christmas markets in:

• Germany
• Netherlands
• Portugal
• Spain