Best Belgian Christmas Markets (Kerstmarkten)
Ice Sculptures and Winter Festivals in Brussels, Bruges, & Flanders
Oct 11, 2009
Several Belgian cities host annual Christmas markets and related winter festivals that bring some color and holiday cheer into an otherwise drab and grey part of the year. Amongst the largest and most famous are the Christmas market and Winter Wonders Festival in Brussels and the Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival in Bruges (Brugge). In contrast to Weihnachtsmärkte in Germany, Christmas markets (Kerstmarkten) in Belgium often extend into early January and sometimes operate on Christmas Day as well.
The Winter Wonders Festival and Christmas Market in Brussels
The Winter Wonders Festival (Plaisirs d’Hiver) in Brussels is one of the largest winter festivals in Europe. It involves the colorful illumination of several streets and squares in Brussels, a Christmas market, a large outdoor ice skating rink, and several cultural events.
The Christmas market in Brussels is located mainly on and around the Bourse (Stock Exchange), Place Sainte Catherine, and the Marché aux Poissons (fish market). Around 250 Swiss chalet style stands combine to form the largest Christmas market by far in Belgium.
The 60-m outdoor ice skating rink is located on the Vismarkt / Marché aux Poissons (fish market). A few fun fare rides are available including merry-go-rounds and a big wheel.
The Winter Wonders Festival further involves several huge light installations. Not only are many streets, squares, and buildings lit in special colorful lights, but light statues and an enchanted light forest are created to bring color to the dark winter days. The main festival and light installations referred to as Electrabel Nights are on and around Grand Place but further major installations are at Place Sainte Catherine and Marché aux Poissons.
The Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival and Christmas Market in Bruges
Bruges (Brugge) is one of Belgium’s most popular tourist destinations. This medieval town center is the perfect backdrop for a Christmas market while the annual Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival is a further tourist magnet.
The Bruges’ Christmas market is held on Market Square and the Simon Stevin Square in the center of the old town. However, many may find the lovely old town of more interest than the markets.
The Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival is annually held from end November to early January right in front of the Brugge train station. No less than three hundred tons of ice and 400 tons of snow are used by professional artists to create magnificent ice sculptures. Admission is charged.
Further Christmas Markets in Flanders, Belgium
Several other cities in Flanders have Christmas markets. However, these are much smaller than the one in Brussels or in many German cities but several sport ice skating rinks, which are less common in Germany.
Some of the better-known annual Christmas markets in Belgium in addition to Brussels and Bruges include:
- Antwerp’s Christmas market is located on the Groote Markt market square right next to the impressive Gothic cathedral.
- Ghent has a Christmas market but the outdoor skating rink at Emile Braunplein in the town center is more interesting than the market itself.
- Ostend on the English Channel has a Christmas market on Wapenplein and an ice skating rink.
- Ypres has a Christmas market on the Grote Markt that operates from Wednesday to Sunday.
Times and Visitors Information for Christmas Markets in Belgium
Christmas markets in Belgium are typically held from late November and, in contrast to the Weihnachtsmärkte in Germany, actually continue past Christmas and often a few days into January. Many markets, including in Brussels, are even active on Christmas Day itself but closes early on the evening of December 24.
Christmas market opening times are generally from around 10 or 11 am to 7 or 8 pm on weekdays, often a bit later over weekends. Christmas markets have the best atmosphere in the late afternoon or early evening.
Admission to Christmas markets in Belgium are invariably free but a small fee, generally €4 to €6 per hour is charged for using the ice skating rinks. Admission is also charged for the ice sculpture festivals.
Belgium, and especially Brussels, is within very easy reach of travelers from London and England. Both the Eurostar train and cheap flights on low-cost airlines are available to Brussels. However, many visitors may find the Christmas markets an enhancement to the lovely Belgian cities and towns rather than the main reason for a trip. Travelers primarily interested in seeing Christmas markets may well do better by continuing by train into Germany and visit the wonderful Weihnachtsmärkte in cities such as Cologne (Köln) and Aachen, which are both very easily reached by TGV Thalys or ICE trains from Brussels.
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