One of the most romantic countries in Western Europe, Belgium is a fascinating holiday destination, especially during the yuletide season, where everything turns magical and resembles scenes from a fairytale book. Aside from being an attractive country to visit, Belgium is also known for chocolates, waffles, fries, beer, and other regional cuisines, as well as international dishes like hamburgers and spaghetti bolognese. You’ll encounter more local food when you go to the many Christmas markets. In case you happen to tour the country, during the Christmas season, check out our list of the most delightful Christmas markets in Belgium and have the best time shopping for the holidays.
1. Bruges Christmas Market
Bruges is a dreamy destination all year round but more so during the holiday season, for it transforms into a beautiful winter wonderland full of Christmas ornaments and novelties. If you’re still not done with gift shopping or missing some Christmas decor for your house, then you have to visit the Bruges Christmas Market, which is in the heart of the city. You’ll find numerous stalls selling handicrafts and special items as well as vendors serving food and drinks like waffles, hot chocolate, Belgian beer, and a lot more. The market has no entry fee, but if you wish to skate in the ice rink at Market Square, you’ll need to pay a certain amount of money.
Bruges Christmas Market
Address: Markt 20, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Website: Bruges Christmas Market
Dates: November 26, 2021 - January 9, 2022
Hours: Sun - Thu: 10:30am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 10:30am - 11pm
2. Liege Christmas Market
The oldest and the biggest Christmas market in Belgium that is true to the Germanic tradition, Liege Christmas Market is reminiscent of a real village that is lined with wooden chalets and has its town square with a post office and a church. It features over 200 stalls and stands offering varieties of items such as Christmas ornaments, crafts, regional delicacies, and more. Apart from shopping, it also has other activities and attractions like the sled run and the ice skating rink. Moreover, this market is quite famous for its culinary delights and traditional crafts.
Liege Christmas Market
Address: Saint-Lambert Square and Marché de Liège Square
Website: Liege Christmas Market
Dates: November 26 - December 30, 2021
Hours: Sun - Wed: 11am - 10pm; Thu - Sat: 11am - 12am; December 24: 11am - 6pm; December 25: 11am - 1pm
3. Mechelen Christmas Market
A Christmas market for all ages, Mechelen Christmas Market is straight out of a fairytale book with its lovely decors, beautiful hanging lights, and festive music. It features numerous stalls that offer local handicrafts, Christmas decorations, and food stalls, serving Flemish cuisine, in front of the town hall. Also, you’ll find here several specialty stores that have beautiful window displays that will make you buy gifts from them. Another highlight of the market is its many nativity scenes around town, which is a hit among children.
Mechelen Christmas Market
Address: Veemarkt, Befferstraat and the inner courtyard of the Town Hall
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Brussels Christmas Market
Attracting over two and a half million visitors every year, the Brussels Christmas Market is one of the biggest Christmas gatherings in Belgium. It is divided into six sections with each having its unique highlight. The market starts from Grand Place, the heart of the Christmas market, and a UNESCO Heritage site. If you’re expecting it to be full of stalls and the like, you’ll be surprised that it has none, but instead, Grand Place is covered with Christmas lights. Also, you’ll find there the largest Christmas tree and nativity scene. For the stalls that offer regional food, local crafts, specialty items, beers, and more, you’ll find it in the other sections, such as Bourse, Tour Noire, Place de la Monnaie, Oysters, and Genever.
Brussels Christmas Market
Address: Grand Place, 1000, Belgium
Website: Brussels Christmas Market
Dates: November 26, 2021 - January 2, 2022
Hours: Sat - Thu: 12pm - 10pm; Fri, December 24 and 31: 12pm - 6pm
Belgium Tour Guide
Miriam Meda
I inspire and help you on your trips to Belgium with my project, Curiositas Mundus. My goal is to avoid you any surprises once you land in this beautiful and small country. Traveling with kids? No problem. Are you a high school teacher preparing for your next study trip? No worries. Families? Friends? Solo travel? VIP? Companies? Universities? Lost souls? Restless minds? Physical challenges or difficulties? All of you are welcome! My specialty is the preparation of tours all over the country. I can guide you through the Belgian streets, museums, bars, chocolate paradises and other places of interest. I want my services to be cultural, responsible, and engaged with the local people. I already have ideas to improve that relationship tourists-inhabitants and to work also with local non-profit associations and businesses :-) In a more personal way, but also related to this nice job of guiding strangers from all over the world, I am a crazy learner of history (especially European history), art, literature, comics (long life to Marvel), languages (you can contact me in English, French, Spanish or Dutch; now I am trying to learn Japanese), philosophy, sociology, politics, videogames and so on! Above all, I have tons of curiosity about everything that surronds me.
5. Christmas Market in les Grottes de Wonck
If you’re tired of the usual holiday market, then you’ll definitely love the Christmas Market in Les Grottes de Wonck. It is located in a network of caves that is over 2,000 years old, which used to be mined for flint. Unlike other Christmas markets that sell the usual holiday items and handicrafts, Les Grottes de Wonck has 80 stalls that offer artisan products, gourmet food items, and local produce, like wine, cheese, paintings, jewelry, and many more. Also, you’ll find here a permanent restaurant that serves mouth-watering mushrooms that are grown in the cave.
Christmas Market in les Grottes de Wonck
Address: Rue de Zichen, 4690 Bassenge, Belgium
6. Antwerp Christmas Market
One of the Christmas markets with the most spectacular setting, the Antwerp Christmas Market is a delightful place to shop and explore, with its more or less 90 stores that sell different products that make for a perfect gift, holiday decor, souvenir items, and more. In case you’re done with your holiday shopping, you’ll still have reasons to visit the area, such as you want to get a cup of delicious hot chocolate, eat Belgian waffle, skate at the ice rink, or ride a Ferris wheel at the fair and see the whole market from the top.
Antwerp Christmas Market
Address: Grote Markt2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
Website: Antwerp Christmas Market
Dates: December 4, 2021 - January 2, 2022
Hours: Sun - Thu: 12pm - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 12am; December 24 & 31: 12pm - 6pm
7. Ghent Christmas Market
Located in the old city center, Ghent Christmas market features 150 stalls that sell a variety of products that range from local crafts up to regional dishes and unique holiday gifts. Apart from the stalls, you’ll also find here an ice skating rink, where you can leave your kids to play, while you go on with your holiday shopping. Another unique feature of Ghent market is its merry-go-round-inspired Christmas tree. Additionally, you shouldn’t miss the medieval castle of Graventseen, which turns into a winter wonderland by putting up Christmas decors and lights during the holiday season.
Ghent Christmas Market
Address: Groentenmarkt, Korenmarkt, Emille Braunplein, St.-Baafsplein
Website: Ghent Christmas Market
Dates: December 9 - 31, 2021
Hours: Mon - Fri: 12pm - 9pm; Sat - Sun: 11am - 10pm; December 24 & 31: 12pm - 5pm; December 25: 2pm - 7pm
8. Ypres Christmas Market
Ypres Christmas Market and Battlefield Tour December 8th - 10th. We only have 2 rooms left for this trip. Book today to avoid disappointment! Contact us on 01525 851277 or email info@battlefieldjourney.com
Posted by Battlefield Journey Ltd on Monday, 9 October 2017
A relatively small Christmas market compared to its counterparts in other cities of Belgium, Ypres Christmas Market offers not only stall selling holiday items and unique presents, but also attractions like an ice skating rink for kids and adults, a merry-go-round for small children, and vendors that offer winter clothing items, local beers, and plenty of food. Even if the area is small, the market is well decorated with Christmas decors and illuminating it with lit evergreens. Also, for a more memorable experience, ride beautifully looking caravans that are pulled by draft horses without any monetary charge.
Ypres Christmas Market
Address: Grote Markt 1, 8900 Ieper, Belgium
9. Leuven Christmas Market
One of the oldest yuletide fairs in Belgium, Leuven Christmas happens 10 - 14 days before December 25 each year. It has a beautiful setting full of holiday decors and Christmas lights, and the KUL University library as the backdrop. The market is small and only attracts a few visitors, which makes it perfect for people who avoid crowds. The stalls here have diverse offerings from Christmas ornaments, gift specials, handicrafts, up to vendors selling traditional Belgian snacks like warm waffles. Another attraction here is the house of Santa Claus, where you’ll find the generous guy who loves to give gifts to well-behaved children.
Leuven Christmas Market
Address: Ladeuzeplein, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
Website: Leuven Christmas Market
10. Hasselt Christmas Market
What started as a Christmas market has become the coziest Christmas Village in Belgium. Winterland Hasselt features over 100 participants from all over the world, wherein you will be able to buy varied items, ranging from handicrafts, Christmas decors, and souvenirs, to food and drinks. One of the main reasons why this is such a popular market here in Belgium is because it is where you’ll find the house of Santa Claus. And Santa Claus gives gifts to small kids, so make sure you bring your children with you when you shop here. Additionally, there is an ice skating rink in the village.
Hasselt Christmas Market
Address: Kolonel Dusartplein, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
Website: Hasselt Christmas Market
Dates: November 20, 2021 - January 9, 2022
Picturesque Belgium
A country rich in history and beautiful architecture, Belgium is a must-visit location in Europe. It has many surprises in store for its visitors that include good food, vibrant art scene, rich heritage, and exciting activities. In case you’re traveling here during the holiday season, check out our list of the best Christmas markets in Belgium for your guidance.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to