Starting in late November, Christmas markets suddenly pop up all over Belgium like mushrooms! Streets are adorned with thousands of tiny lights, stalls offer glühwein and sweets, and local vendors showcase their handcrafted goods… it’s all part of the fantastic end-of-year atmosphere.
Every Belgian city and town has its own festivities, but which Christmas market is truly worth a visit? I visit as many Christmas markets as I can each winter, because besides being a big Christmas fan, I simply enjoy testing them all out. Based on that, here’s my absolute top 10 best Christmas markets in Belgium that you should definitely visit.
10 Best Christmas Markets in Belgium
1. Ciney Christmas Market – Les Féeries du Parc
This is undoubtedly the most spectacular Christmas market in Wallonia. I would almost dare to say that I rarely have seen such a large and high-quality Christmas market in Belgium. While Christmas markets often sell a lot of junk, that’s not the case in Ciney. You’ll find a number of local vendors with their homemade products. Spend hours wandering through the park of Ciney among the more than 270 wooden chalets. You might even meet Santa Claus!
Do note, due to its popularity and limited opening dates, it can get quite crowded here. There are special parking areas within walking distance and a shuttle bus. If you’re lucky, you might find some parking spots in the streets of Ciney.
Dates: December 5 – 9 and December 12 – 16, 2024
Location: Parc Saint-Roch
2. Ghent Christmas Market – Gentse Winterfeesten
Located in the heart of the city, the Christmas market stretches from Sint-Baafsplein to Korenmarkt, where more than 150 wooden chalets are set up. Here you’ll find a wide range of artisanal products, festive treats, and delicious winter drinks such as glühwein and hot chocolate.
The highlight of the Ghent Christmas market? It’s the roller skating rink under the Stadshal. Rent a pair of skates and have fun on the rink for an hour. Super fun! Be sure to also visit Het Gravensteen, which for the occasion is renamed Winter Wonder Castle. And just like in Bruges, the historic city center provides a romantic setting.
Dates: December 5 – 31, 2024
Location: Sint-Baafsplein, Botermarkt, Korenmarkt, Klein Turkije
3. Bruges Christmas Market – Wintergloed Brugge
I’m from Bruges myself, so I know this Christmas market very well. Two squares in the historic city center are decorated with stalls. Lights adorn the streets and music plays from the speakers. On Bruges’ Market Square, you’ll find the traditional Christmas market with many typical stalls and food stands. You can buy a Christmas hat and taste tartiflette. In Minnewaterpark, you can skate on artificial ice on a floating rink. Indeed, not real ice, but still on real water.
Tip: Don’t just visit the Christmas market, but also take the Winterglow walk in Bruges. Each year, about 10 light installations are set up throughout the city connected by a beautiful walking route. It’s a must-see!
But the locals? They hang out at Simon Stevinplein, where local artisans showcase their crafts, chefs surprise you with their snacks, and you can simply enjoy hanging out at the bar. Fewer tourists, more coziness! Park your car under ’t Zand and walk through Steenstraat towards the center, and you’ll find it easily.
Dates: November 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Location: Market square, Simon Stevinplein, Minnewaterpark
4. Brussels Christmas Market – Winterpret Brussels
The Christmas market in Brussels, also known as Winterpret, is undoubtedly one of the largest and most spectacular Christmas markets in Belgium. Every year, the heart of the city, around the Grand Place, the Beurs, and Saint-Catherine Square, transforms into a winter wonderland full of atmosphere and coziness. With more than 200 stalls spread across the city, you can sample local specialties, buy handcrafted products, and enjoy various treats such as waffles, churros, and glühwein.
Winterpret also offers additional attractions like a large Ferris wheel, a nostalgic carousel, and a giant ice rink where young and old can have fun. Don’t miss the beautiful sound and light show on the Grand Place, which attracts thousands of visitors each year with its magical atmosphere. Also don’t miss the iconic large Christmas tree, probably the biggest in Belgium!
Dates: November 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Location: Fish Market, Beurs, Muntplein, De Brouckereplein, Saint-Catherine Square, Grand Place
5.Hasselt Christmas Market – Winterland Hasselt
This is traditionally the very first Christmas market to open in Belgium, already in mid-November! Hasselt has long understood that Christmas can never come too early, as Winterland is now in its 16th edition. You can skate on a large covered ice rink, enjoy Austrian beer at the Almhütte, admire the lights from the Ferris wheel, and browse among more than 50 chalets. Kids can even visit the House of Santa Claus, where they can meet Santa in person.
Dates: November 15, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Location: Kolonel Dusartplein
6. Liège Christmas Market – Le Village de Noël
The Christmas market in Liège, also known as “Le Village de Noël,” is one of the oldest and largest Christmas markets in Belgium – and it’s often simply called the very first Christmas market in Belgium. The market stretches across Place Saint-Lambert and Place du Marché, where more than 200 chalets are set up. Here you can enjoy a variety of regional products, artisanal creations, and traditional treats such as Liège waffles and glühwein, as well as an ice rink to have fun on the ice. A fun fact: the market has a village-like setup, complete with its own “mayor”!
Dates: November 29, 2024 – December 30, 2024
Location: Place Saint-Lambert & Place du Marché
7. Antwerp Christmas Market – Winter in Antwerp
The Christmas market in Antwerp is one of the most beloved in Flanders and stretches across several squares, including the Grand Place, Groenplaats, and Suikerrui. The more than 100 cozy wooden stalls offer a wide range of festive products, from artisanal gifts to delicious snacks and drinks such as Belgian waffles, tartiflette, and hot glühwein.
One of the highlights is the atmospheric ice rink on Groenplaats, with the majestic Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral in the background, creating a fairytale setting. Additionally, the Christmas market also features an impressive Ferris wheel, offering a panoramic view of the festively illuminated city. Throughout December, various animations, such as street performers and special light installations, give the city a magical ambiance.
Dates: December 6, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Location: Grand Place, Suikerrui, Groenplaats, Handschoenmarkt, Hendrik Conscienceplein & Operaplein
8. Durbuy Christmas Market
Durbuy is also known as the smallest city in the world, but its Christmas market certainly holds its own compared to other locations in Belgium. Each year, the picturesque, historic center of Durbuy transforms into a charming Christmas village full of wooden chalets and festive decorations. The narrow, cobbled streets are beautifully lit, and the small market offers a selection of local artisanal products, Christmas gifts, and traditional treats such as waffles and glühwein.
What makes Durbuy so special is the fairy-tale setting: the medieval buildings and hilly landscape provide a unique backdrop for a magical Christmas experience. Extra bonus? The ice rink! Although many cities and towns in Belgium forgo a real ice rink, Durbuy still has one. So, definitely soak up the atmosphere during the weekend!
Dates: November 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Location: Parc Roi Baudouin, Allée verte & site Anticlinaal
9. Leuven Christmas Market – De Leuvense Kerstmarkt
Short but sweet is usually the motto of the Leuven Christmas market. The market itself doesn’t last long, but the atmosphere is fantastic! As a student in Leuven, this was one of my favorite times of the year. With its 36th edition, it’s also one of the oldest in the country. This year, there will be more than 100 stalls where you can discover various handmade products and local delicacies. A unique experience is the chance to enjoy a beer 40 meters high with a breathtaking view over the festive city.
Dates: December 11 – 22, 2024
Location: Ladeuzeplein & Hooverplein
10. Ostend Christmas Market – Winter in the Park
The Christmas market in Ostend, known as Winter in the Park, is one of the most atmospheric Christmas markets on the Belgian coast. Leopoldpark is transformed into a winter paradise with beautifully decorated chalets, festive lighting, and a fairytale setting around the pond. The market offers a wide range of artisanal products, treats, and warm drinks such as glühwein and hot chocolate.
The highlight of the market is the ice rink on the pond, a super unique experience! Prefer to watch? You can relax in one of the cozy chalets around the rink for a drink or snack.
Dates: November 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Location: Leopoldpark & Wapenplein
So, that’s my list of the best Christmas markets in Belgium. Do you have any other suggestions? Let me know in the comments below. I can’t wait to try out a few more!