Christmas market in Brussels

It’s the beginning of December so it is time for a blog about Christmas markets! Germany is very much known for it (later this month I’m finally visiting my first German Christmas market in Cologne!). But Brussels is definitely a city you should consider if you are planning a weekend get-a-way for Christmas. The Christmas market in Brussels runs from the 27th of November till the 3rd of January, so there is still plenty of time to go.

I went to Brussels last year with my sister in between Christmas and New Years. So of course we took our time to explore the Christmas market and other festivities which are taking place alongside of it. The Christmas market in Brussels is situated in different streets and on different town squares. La Grand Place, the main square, holds a variety of things to see. You can find the Christmas tree and the Nativity Scene here. Both nice to see, but the real spectacle has to do with the light and sound show taking place on the buildings surrounding the square. The buildings are gorgeously lit in different colours. Depending on the day you will go, it takes place every half hour/every hour.

There is a likewise show taking place on the façade of the Sainte Catherine Church. The theme is different every year, but it usually has some connection to a fairytale like story. Very lovely to watch. Further the streets are of course lit with Christmas lights and the building La Bourse is gorgeously lit with Christmas lights as well.

Apart from light shows and Christmas lights the Christmas market in Brussels also offers a lot of market stalls as well. You can find anything from handmade candles to knitted socks to a cup of mulled wine (yummy!). I have to admit that I’m never a big fan of most things that are sold at Christmas markets, but I enjoy roaming past the different stalls. The famous chocolatiers of Belgium won’t have their own stalls, but make sure to pass through the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert to take a look at the windows of these shops. You won’t be disappointed by their amazing chocolate decorating skills!

If you want to know more about the exact events taking place this year at the Christmas market in Brussels, then have a look at the official website.