Brussels at Christmas 2026: Christmas market, dates and must-see spots (with map)
Thousands of lights, more than 200 chalets, a Ferris wheel, an ice rink and the light and sound show on the Grand-Place. This is how Brussels transforms at Christmas, and these are the spots you can’t miss.
- 2026 dates
- With map
- Grand-Place
- Ferris wheel and skating
- Getaway
- Dates: the Brussels Christmas market (Winter Wonders or Plaisirs d’Hiver) runs from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
- Opening hours: every day from 12:00 to 22:00. On 24 and 31 December it closes at 18:00.
- Must-sees: the Grand-Place with its tree and the light and sound show, the Ferris wheel at the Marché aux Poissons and the ice rink on Place De Brouckère.
- Price: entry to the market is free. You only pay for rides, food and drink.
- Dates27 Nov – 3 Jan
- Hours12:00 to 22:00
- ChaletsMore than 200
- EntryFree
Why visit Brussels at Christmas
If you are thinking about a trip to Brussels at Christmas, you will find a city straight out of a fairytale: illuminated façades, the smell of hot chocolate and waffles, wooden chalets and some of the most beautiful corners in Europe all dressed up for the holidays. It is one of the easiest Christmas capitals to explore, because the whole market is in the centre and can be done on foot.
The Brussels Christmas market is called Winter Wonders (Plaisirs d’Hiver in French) and forms a route of almost two kilometres linking the Grand-Place, the Bourse, Place de la Monnaie, Place Sainte-Catherine, the Marché aux Poissons and Place De Brouckère. In 2026 it celebrates its 25th anniversary, and the guests of honour are Béarn-Pyrenees and the French Basque Country, with a village dedicated to them on Place de la Bourse.
The illuminated Grand-Place, the Christmas market Ferris wheel and the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert in December.
Map of the Brussels Christmas market
This map shows the must-see places of Brussels at Christmas, in the order we recommend visiting them. They are all less than 15 minutes’ walk from each other.
Dates and opening hours of the Brussels Christmas market 2026
According to the official website of the City of Brussels, the Christmas market runs from Friday 27 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. Entry is free.
- General hours: every day from 12:00 to 22:00
- 24 and 31 December: closes at 18:00
- Chalets: more than 200 spread across the centre
- Guests of honour 2026: Béarn-Pyrenees and the Basque Country
Opening hours of some attractions, such as the Ferris wheel or the ice rink, may vary. Check the official Winter Wonders website before you go, especially if you are travelling on public holidays.
What to do in Brussels at Christmas depending on your trip
| Type of trip | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First timeMust-see | The Grand-Place and its light show | It is the most beautiful image of Christmas in Brussels. |
| With kids | Ferris wheel, ice rink and carousel | They are at Sainte-Catherine, the Marché aux Poissons and De Brouckère, all very close to each other. |
| As a couple | Galeries Saint-Hubert and the Grand-Place at night | Hot chocolate, lights and the show on the square. |
| Foodies | Sainte-Catherine | The area with the most food stalls and covered terraces. |
| Long weekend | Brussels + Bruges + Ghent | Both cities are less than an hour away by train. |
Grand-Place: the heart of Christmas in Brussels
The Grand-Place is the number one stop in Brussels at Christmas. In December a huge tree is set up in the middle of the square, next to the nativity scene, and the façades of the Town Hall and the guild houses become the screen for a light and sound show that is repeated throughout the evening.
- Light show: in 2025 it ran every hour from 17:00 to 22:00, except on 24 and 31 December. Check the 2026 showtimes on the official website.
- Best time: go just at dusk, around 17:00, to see the square with a bit of daylight and stay for the first show.
- Tip: it gets very busy at weekends; on weekdays you can enjoy it more calmly.
The squares and highlights of the Brussels Christmas market
After the Grand-Place, the market continues through the centre on a walking route of almost two kilometres. These are the stops you can’t miss, in the order we recommend.
Place de la Bourse and Place de la Monnaie
Two minutes from the Grand-Place, in front of the old Stock Exchange building. In 2026 it hosts the village of the guests of honour, Béarn-Pyrenees and the Basque Country, with products and food from the region. Nearby, next to the opera house, Place de la Monnaie adds more chalets with crafts, decorations and food.
Place Sainte-Catherine
The area with the most Christmas atmosphere in Brussels and the longest part of the market: chalets, food stalls and covered terraces around the church of Sainte-Catherine, with a carousel and plenty of life in the evening. It is the best place for dinner, grazing from stall to stall.
Marché aux Poissons: the Ferris wheel
Next to Sainte-Catherine stands the big Ferris wheel of the Christmas market, with lovely views of the city lights. There is usually a queue at dusk, so if you want to ride without waiting, go in the mid-afternoon.
Place De Brouckère: ice rink
The ice skating rink is one of the most fun things to do at Christmas in Brussels, especially if you are travelling with children. There are usually curling lanes next to it. Skating is not free and the price changes every year, so check it on the spot.
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
They are not part of the official route, but they are a must. These 19th-century arcades, a stone’s throw from the Grand-Place, are decorated with lights and are perfect for discovering the famous Belgian chocolate shops and warming up between stalls. If it rains, they are your shelter.
Manneken Pis
Five minutes from the Grand-Place stands Brussels’ most famous statue. It changes outfits throughout the year and at Christmas it is often decorated for the occasion. It is just over half a metre tall, so don’t be surprised when you see it.
How to see the Brussels Christmas market in one afternoon
If you only have one day, this is the route we follow to see everything without rushing and finish at the Grand-Place with the lights on.
- 1Sainte-Catherine and the Ferris wheel15:00
Start in the area with the most chalets and ride the Ferris wheel before the dusk queues build up.
- 2Place De Brouckère16:30
Skate for a while or watch the skaters with a vin chaud in hand.
- 3Bourse and Monnaie17:15
Stroll among the chalets of the guests of honour and stop for a waffle.
- 4Galeries Saint-Hubert18:00
Warm up with a hot chocolate and buy some pralines to take home.
- 5Grand-Place19:00
Finish with the light and sound show, which repeats every hour until 22:00.
What to eat and drink at the Brussels Christmas market
Half the fun of the Brussels Christmas market is at its food stalls. These are the classics we recommend trying:
Belgian waffles
The Brussels waffle is rectangular and light; the Liège waffle is denser and caramelised. Have it with icing sugar, chocolate or strawberries.
Belgian fries
Belgian frites are fried twice and served in a paper cone with sauce. Mayonnaise is the classic, but try andalouse or samurai sauce.
Shrimp croquettes
Croquettes aux crevettes are made with North Sea grey shrimps and are one of Belgium’s most typical dishes. You will also find cheese croquettes.
Hot chocolate
At the chalets and, above all, in the chocolate shops of the Galeries Saint-Hubert. Take the chance to buy Belgian pralines as gifts.
Christmas beer
Many chalets serve seasonal beers, spicier and fuller-bodied. If you don’t drink beer, vin chaud is the classic alternative.
Roasted chestnuts
A winter classic to carry while you stroll. You will find them at several chalets along the route, next to stalls selling tartiflette, raclette and crêpes.
Among the market chalets you will see stalls selling caricoles, sea snails cooked in a broth with celery and spices and served in a little cup. It is a very Brussels tradition. Other classics you will come across:
- Speculoos: the spiced cinnamon biscuits typical of December
- Pralines: the filled Belgian chocolates, invented in Brussels
- Vin chaud: mulled wine to warm you up
Brussels at Christmas on video
This is how we experienced Christmas in Brussels and shared it on Instagram. Save the reel for your next trip.
Watch the Brussels at Christmas reel on Instagram →
Brussels, Ghent and Bruges at Christmas: a 3-day getaway
Advertising: Viajes El Corte Inglés.
Got a long weekend in December? Then make the most of it by combining Brussels with Ghent and Bruges, two cities that look like something out of a fairytale at Christmas. Both are a short train ride from Bruxelles-Central station, so you can stay in Brussels the whole time.
- Day 1, Brussels: the markets on the Grand-Place, Bourse and Monnaie, Sainte-Catherine and the Marché aux Poissons, the Ferris wheel, the De Brouckère ice rink, the Manneken Pis, the Galeries Saint-Hubert and the Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula. In the evening, the light show on the Grand-Place.
- Day 2, Bruges (1 hour by train): the Christmas market on the Market Square (Markt) and Simon Stevin square, climbing the Belfry, strolling along the canals and Bonifacius bridge, the Beguinage, Burg square and the artisan chocolate shops.
- Day 3, Ghent (about 30 minutes by train): the Christmas market around St Bavo’s Cathedral, with a Ferris wheel and lights on the canals, the Gravensteen castle, St Michael’s Bridge, St Nicholas’ Church and an evening walk along the Graslei and Korenlei.
The Bruges and Ghent markets usually open from late November to early January, roughly the same dates as Brussels, but check the official websites before you go. And if you want to see Flanders at a slower pace outside Christmas, we have a 3-day Flanders route (in Spanish).
Watch our Belgium at Christmas reel on Instagram
Our list: what to see in Bruges and Brussels at Christmas
These are the places you can’t miss in Belgium at Christmas, just as we show them in our reel:
- Bruges: the Begijnhof, the Minnewaterbrug (Lovers’ Bridge), the Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas shop, the small Christmas market on Mariastraat, a hot chocolate at The Old Chocolate House, the teddy bear restaurant Casa di Kaspi, the Grote Markt with the Belfry, Jan van Eyckplein and the Light Experience Trail.
- Brussels: the European Parliament, the Royal Palace and Brussels Park, the Manneken Pis, the Grand-Place, the Galeries Saint-Hubert, the chocolate at Le Comptoir de Mathilde, Place de la Monnaie, the Marché aux Poissons, the Sablon district and the Atomium.
Watch our Belgium at Christmas reel on Instagram
If you want more of Belgium, check out our 3-day cycling route through Flanders (in Spanish).
Tips for visiting Brussels at Christmas
- Go on a weekday: on Saturday afternoons the centre gets packed and the queues for the Ferris wheel are long.
- Wrap up warm: in December temperatures in Brussels are usually between 0 and 6 °C and it rains often.
- Do the route at dusk: start at Sainte-Catherine in the mid-afternoon and finish at the Grand-Place when the lights come on.
- Book your accommodation early: on December long weekends, hotel prices in the centre rise a lot.
- Travel light: if you arrive before check-in or leave late, drop your luggage at a storage point and enjoy the day.
The market is right in the centre. From Bruxelles-Central station you reach the Grand-Place in five minutes on foot, and from Zaventem airport there are direct trains to Bruxelles-Central in about 20 minutes. If you fly into Charleroi, the shuttle bus drops you at Bruxelles-Midi station. In the centre, walking is the best way to get around.
Before you book, take a look at the services we use on our own trips:
- Heymondo travel insurance: 5% off with our link
- Bounce luggage storage: code CURIOSONESBOUNCE (-10%) to drop your bags on your last day
- Cashback with iGraal: €10 welcome bonus and money back on hotels
You will find all our codes on our travel discount codes page.
Travel insurance and mobile data
In Belgium you can use your mobile data just like at home thanks to EU roaming, so if you have a European SIM you don’t need an eSIM. What we do recommend is travel insurance: the European Health Insurance Card doesn’t cover cancellations or lost luggage, two common mishaps on December long weekends.
Tours and day trips from Brussels
If you want to discover Brussels with a guide or take a day trip to Bruges and Ghent, these are some of the top-rated activities on Civitatis. Booking through our links helps us keep the blog going, at no extra cost to you.
Plan your trip to Brussels at Christmas
- Tours and guided visits: book tours, tickets and free tours in Brussels with Civitatis, with free cancellation on most activities.
- Luggage storage: if you arrive before check-in or leave late, drop your backpack with Bounce and make the most of the day. Code CURIOSONESBOUNCE.
- Save when you book: with iGraal you get back part of what you spend on hotels, flights and rentals, plus a welcome bonus.
- Travel insurance: the European Health Insurance Card doesn’t cover cancellations or lost luggage. We travel with Heymondo and as a reader you get 5% off.
- Sports and outdoor clothing: jackets, caps and sunglasses for your hikes and trips from SIROKO. Use code VIAJEROS10 for an extra 10% off.
- Airport VIP lounges: wait for your flight in comfort, with food, drinks and Wi-Fi, in a VIP lounge with VIPLounges. Code VIAJEROSCURIOSONES saves you 5%.
More Christmas getaways in Europe
If you love Christmas markets, don’t miss our list of the 20 best Christmas markets in Europe in 2026. And if you want to make the most of your trip to Belgium, you will love our 3-day cycling route through Flanders (in Spanish). Find more ideas in our European destinations and travel deals on our discount codes page.
More Christmas guides: if you fancy a road trip, check out the Christmas markets in the South of France.
Frequently asked questions about Brussels at Christmas
When is the Brussels Christmas market in 2026?
The Brussels Christmas market, Winter Wonders or Plaisirs d’Hiver, runs from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
What are the opening hours of the Brussels Christmas market?
It is open every day from 12:00 to 22:00. On 24 and 31 December it closes earlier, at 18:00.
How much does it cost to enter the Brussels Christmas market?
Entry is free. You only pay for rides, such as the Ferris wheel or the ice rink, and whatever you buy at the chalets.
Where is the Brussels Christmas Ferris wheel?
The Christmas market Ferris wheel is at the Marché aux Poissons, next to Place Sainte-Catherine, in central Brussels.
How many days do I need for Brussels at Christmas?
A weekend gives you plenty of time to explore the Christmas market, see the light show on the Grand-Place and take a day trip to Bruges or Ghent.
Where is the Brussels Christmas ice rink?
The ice skating rink is set up on Place De Brouckère, about five minutes’ walk from the Grand-Place.
Can you visit Bruges and Ghent from Brussels at Christmas?
Yes. Bruges is 1 hour by train from Bruxelles-Central and Ghent about 30 minutes, so you can stay in Brussels and spend a day in each city. Both have a Christmas market.
What should I eat at the Brussels Christmas market?
Belgian waffles, fries in a paper cone, shrimp croquettes, hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts, sea snails (caricoles) and Christmas beer or mulled wine.
What time is the light show on the Grand-Place?
It repeats every hour from 17:00 to 22:00, except on 24 and 31 December. Check the showtimes on the official Winter Wonders website.
Photos: Pexels. Dates and hours according to the official Winter Wonders website; they may change.
Save this guide and tell us on Instagram if you are visiting Brussels at Christmas.
Follow us on InstagramMore European destinations
