Set in the northwestern side of Belgium, Bruges is a charming city that is also the official capital of West Flanders. It enchants you with its fascinating canal system, quaint cobbled streets, and breathtaking medieval landmarks. If you want to immerse in the city’s vibrant culture, explore the bustling markets in the heart of the city, and try some local culinary delights from restaurants in it. Also, don’t forget to take souvenir pictures with the iconic medieval Belfry of Bruges. If you are planning to take the city by storm during the yuletide season, you will not be disappointed as it sparkles with illuminating Christmas lights and gorgeous ornaments. For your guidance, here is a list of the top Christmas markets in Bruges, Belgium, that you should not miss.
1. Bruges Christmas market
If you are planning to celebrate the Advent season in Bruges, you will not be disappointed as this part of Belgium has one of the most festive celebrations. A testament to that is the Bruges Christmas Market that happens annually in the city’s historic center. With its quaint setting transformed into a winter wonderland, nothing comes close to what the magic yuletide season brings in. Hundreds of business stalls fill the place, and each one is adorned beautifully with Christmas ornaments and fairy lights.
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. Christmas Market Windroos in Major Seminary
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Another captivating Christmas festival that happens annually in the beautiful city of Bruges is the charity Christmas Market Windroos in Major Seminary. Prepare to have your wallet ready as you will surely spend some time browsing through toys, books, craftwork, floral arrangements, and many more. Not only that, but the festive atmosphere and the Christmas decors are other reasons to roam around the place. Have a glass of mulled red wine or gorge on delicious Belgian waffles and other culinary delights, as this place is not only for shopping but also for dining as well.
Christmas Market in Windroos in Major Seminary
Address: Potterierei 72, 8000 Bruges/Brugge
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3. Antwerp Christmas Market
If you happen to find yourself walking on the cobbled streets of Antwerp while admiring the structures of this stunning port city during the Christmas holidays, take some time to visit the astonishing Antwerp Christmas Market. During the season of lights and blessings, the medieval charm of the city along with the bustling area of Grote Markt200 will enchant you. Aside from numerous retailers’ cottages that will offer you specialty goods, you can enjoy some time ice skating in the rink or ogling at the picturesque views of the city from the top of the Ferris Wheel.
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
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Bruges Tour Guide
Peter
Bruges 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.
4. Leuven Christmas Market
Fall in love with the charming town of Leuven even more by experiencing the delightful festive atmosphere in the Leuven Christmas Market - one of the oldest and grandest Christmas markets in all of Belgium. With stunning medieval structures as the perfect backdrop of the trade fair, you will surely be walking on cobbled streets with a lifted spirit once you get to explore the market. Its lights and decors will enchant you, and a plethora of gifts ideas await for you to purchase them and be gifted to the ones you love. Although it has a lower footfall compared to other Christmas markets in the country, it will provide you with a cozier and less chaotic shopping experience.
Leuven Christmas Market
Address: Ladeuzeplein, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
Website: Leuven Christmas Market
5. Ghent Christmas Market
Sample as many Belgian culinary delights as you can in the dreamy Christmas market of the lovely city of Ghent. Just like most of the cities in Brussel, the architecture and landmarks in Ghent will take your breath away. This dreamy winter wonderland is set in the heart of the city, close to most of the excellent restaurants and cafes in the area. It is a spectacular gathering of exquisite businesses that will dress their cabins tastefully to attract potential buyers. Here, you can have as many gingerbreads as you like or taste some authentic Hungarian sausages to your heart’s content. Pair your meals with a hot choco or a mulled brandy, totally up to you.
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
6. Magical Christmas market in Anderlecht
Be swept away by the whimsical setting of the magical Christmas market in Anderlecht. A place that looks taken out straight of a fairy tale book, characterized by snow-covered cabins adorned with Christmas ornaments illuminated by fairy lights that brighten the dark evening skies. This is what the astonishing Place de la Vaillance looks like during the yuletide season. Tourists and locals alike are treated to a show of fireworks and a palatable adventure of culinary delights. Not only that, but here, you can purchase excellent crafts that you can give as gifts to the important people in your life, from home decors to jewelry, artwork to knitted jackets, personalized gloves, and a lot more.
Magical Christmas market in Anderlecht
Address: Place de la Vaillance , Anderlecht, Belgium
7. 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 dreamy holiday destination for everyone, Ypres Christmas Market is an unmissable festival in the beautiful town of Ypres. With its stunning newly restored buildings of Gothic architecture, it provides people with a wonderful setting for a vibrant shopping site. Nesting in the heart of the bustling center of town, it has a plethora of well-screened retailers that will impress you with their colorful and quality goods. Aside from that, numerous food stalls are ready to provide you with the authentic taste of Belgium as well as other international culinary delights. Plus, you can spend some time sliding and gliding in the excellent ice skating rink that is situated in the festive trade fair.
Ypres Christmas Market
Address: Grote Markt 1, 8900 Ypres
8. Mechelen Christmas Market
Nestled in the charming courtyard by the town’s city hall, filled with illuminating lanterns and leafy Christmas ornaments, Mechelen Christmas Market is a captivating festival that reflects the authentic Belgian tradition of the yuletide season. There will be lots of cabins selling foods, from trendy sweaters to gorgeous jewelry to home decors, glassware, and other artisan products. Also, a plethora of food stalls will fill the area with the aroma of freshly cooked goodies. Ready your list as you will surely find fabulous items for everyone.
Mechelen Christmas Market
Address: Veemarkt, Befferstraat and the inner courtyard of the Town Hall
Fall in love with Bruges this Christmas season
Bruges is a gorgeous city in Belgium that will captivate you with its old town charm. Walk on cobbled streets, visit medieval landmarks, and admire quaint homes while in the city. Surely, it is a fantastic vacation destination all-year-round, but it is even more magical during the Christmas season. If you plan to explore this side of Belgium in the yuletide holidays, make sure to visit these magical festivals in the city that we have narrowed down on this article for your guidance.
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