Brussels Christmas Market: A Local's Guide, Practical Tips and Map 2024

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The Brussels Christmas Market, also known as Winter Wonders, is one of the most magical holiday events in Europe. With sparkling lights, over 200 chalets, and fun attractions like an ice skating rink and a Ferris wheel, it’s a must-visit for anyone in the city during the holidays.

Navigating such a big event can be tricky without the right tips. When should you go to avoid crowds? What should you bring? And where are the best spots to experience the magic?

This guide has everything you need, including practical local tips and a detailed map, to make the most of your visit to the Brussels Christmas Market.

Having lived in the city for over 12 years, I can tell you how to visit the Brussels Christmas market in our hometown.

Brussels Christmas Market 2024
29.11.2024-05.12.2025

Opening times: every day 12.00-22.00
Except on 24 and 31 December: closing at 18.00

Swipe and Vote: Choose Your Favorite

Which Brussels Christmas market attraction is worth braving the cold for? (Be honest, mulled wine is a valid motivator.)

This is a swiper quiz, swipe right for yes, swipe left for no.

Brussels Christmas Market: Local Tips +Map

Bourse 1/5

Grand Place 2/5

Royal Gallery of St. Hubert 3/5

Ferris Wheel at St. Catherine 4/5

Christmas Market at St. Catherine 5/5

Results

Bourse

13 0

Grand Place

12 1

Royal Gallery of St. Hubert

11 2

Ferris Wheel at St. Catherine

13 0

Christmas Market at St. Catherine

13 0

Video

Here is a very short video to get an idea of what the light show at the majestic Grand Place looks like. It changes every year!

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Where is the Christmas market in Brussels?

The Brussels Christmas market is in the city center along a 2.5km trail with 240 chalets. You can easily walk from one location to another in the center in the order mentioned in the post. You can also find a map with two potential routes to see everything in the center.

What Are the Must-Visit Locations at the Brussels Christmas Market?

Two are the main Christmas markets in Brussels. They are indicated with a “Must” in the headings further below.

Grand Place: Christmas tree and light show.
St. Catherine: market stalls, Ferris wheel, and vintage carousel.

If you’re into ice skating, add Place De Brouckère with the ice rink to your list.

Top Attractions at the Brussels Christmas Market

Here is a short overview of the attractions available at each location. These change slightly yearly, but as locals, we always have the updated list here.

Grand Place (must!): light show and Christmas tree
Bourse: market stalls
Place de la Monnaie: après-ski village
Place De Brouckère: ice skating rink and market stalls
St Catherine and Marché aux Poissons (must!): Ferris wheel, carousel and light show, ice monster, market stalls

In this guide on visiting the Brussels Christmas market, you will find out what to do at each location and photos of what each place looks like.

You will also find instructions on how to reach the Christmas market in Brussels and a map of the Christmas market in Brussels with two options for walking around the center to see everything.

Grand Place (Must!)

Marvel at the magnificent Christmas tree at Grand Place, the main square of Brussels, and a Unesco World Heritage Site.

The light show occurs in Grand Place or Grote Markt in Dutch. It’s a great way to get in the Christmas spirit at Plaisirs d’Hiver, the French name of the Brussels Christmas market, and the Winter Wonders Festival in English.

The light show changes every year – an excellent excuse to return to Brussels in the festive season again and again.

Here’s the schedule for the light show in Brussels:

Opening night: Friday, 29 November at 6:00 PM.
From Monday to Sunday: every 30 minutes (from 5 pm to 10 pm)
Exceptions: No shows on 24 December and 31 December.

Here is another video of the light show at Grand Place.

The Grand Place is truly stunning during Christmas time.

Grand Place has several beautiful buildings. The Brussels City Hall, right behind the Christmas tree, is especially beautiful during the holiday season.

If you live in the central Brussels commune, you can get married in the Town Hall (we did!).

At the other end of the Grand Place, there is also a life-sized nativity scene with real sheep (we have seen the sheep only a few years, though).

Tip
If you have limited time and can only visit one place in the Christmas market in Brussels, Grand Place is not to be missed. Above all, do not miss the light show at Grand Place.

The Christmas market attracted more than 4 million visitors in 2023. Try to go early to avoid the crowds!

Take advantage of the opportunity to see the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert festively decorated with Christmas lights just a few steps on cobbled streets from Grand Place.

You can also find the best Belgian chocolate makers and enjoy a waffle here. Furthermore, it is covered, providing shelter from cold or rain if needed.

If you have time and this is your first time in Brussels, go also to Mont des Arts. It is the perfect place to see New Year’s Eve fireworks.

Manneken Pis is also just a few minutes walk from Grand Place.

Christmas Fairies: The Secret Kingdom (2024)

Light Shows in Brussels — Image courtesy of Visit Brussels

🎅 What: Meet Santa
🤸 For all ages
📅 When: 29.11.2024-05.01.2025
📍 Where: Grand Place
🌐 More info on the Christmas event here

La Bourse

A short stroll from Grand Place, you will find Bourse, the old Brussels stock exchange.

There are several chalets around Bourse and at the Bourse square, where we always stop for the first warm drink (hot chocolate or gluhwein) after enjoying the light and sound show at Grand Place.

The Bourse Square is not a must location, but it is an easy stop from Grand Place to St Catherine.

Place de la Monnaie

Place de la Monnaie is a short walk from Bourse. It is the square in front of the Royal Theatre of La Monnaie. It is decorated with beautiful lights, and depending on the year, there are usually some activities, too.

Enjoy a hot chocolate in a converted ski-lift cabin at the après-ski village.

Also, we usually shop for all kinds of sweets at this cute market stall.

There are usually more events around this square, like this virtual reality dome. These change every year.

Place De Brouckère (Ice Rink)

An 800-square-meter covered skating rink and many wooden chalets and food stalls are located at Place De Brouckère at Boulevard Anspach. You can stop for some street food and enjoy some ice skating.

This stop is a must on this guide to the Christmas market in Brussels, but only if you love ice skating.

Tips for the ice rink

It’s best to go as early as possible to enjoy the ice rink without the crowds.
It can get pretty crowded, especially on the weekends.
Beware of pickpocketing, as at all crowded places in major European capitals.

Opening hours of the ice rink
Every day 12.00-22.00
Except on 24.12.2024 and 31.12.2024: 12.00-18.00

The ice rink is open from late November to early January. The rest of the Christmas market in the center closes, but the ice rink usually stays until the first week of January.

You can rent skates, and a small corner is only for kids. You might be surprised by how much fun ice skating can be.

Place Sainte-Catherine (Must!)

St. Catherine is the second most important place in the Brussels Christmas market after the Grand Place.

The biggest Christmas market in the center of Brussels is at Marché aux Poissons, a former fish market.

Marché aux Poissons is the square next to St. Catherine, where all the Christmas market stalls are. It’s also the perfect place for Christmas shopping.

Don’t miss the vintage carousel with fantastic characters. It’s right at the entrance of St Catherine.

This is part of the Christmas market in Brussels, which looks like a typical European Christmas market.

There’s also a giant Ferris wheel, market stalls, and an ice monster. The illuminated Ferris wheel makes for great photos.

Also, don’t miss the light show on the façade of Sainte Catherine and the carousel on the other side of the church.

It can be crowded here on weekends, so if you can, go during the week.

Events

Winter Vox at La Tour Noire

What: Professional and amateur choirs sing Christmas songs and carols
When: Saturday and Sunday at 16.00-20.00
Where: Black Tower (right behind St Catherine)
You can find more information here

For Kids

What: Stories, mascots, and crafts for kids
When: Wednesday 15.00-19.00
Where: At Santa’s workshop, at the Black Tower (right behind St Catherine)
You can find more information here

Brussels by Lights

Streets and shopping areas are decorated with lights
When: 27.11.2024-05.01.2025
Where: Different locations around the city are illuminated every year
For more details, see here

Winterpop

What: Over three weekends in December, small caravans go through three districts in Brussels.
Where: At different areas around Brussels (Marolles, Ambiorix, Laeken)
For more details, see here

Must-Try Food and Drinks at Brussels Christmas Market

Here’s the most iconic Belgian foods and drinks to try:

Belgian Waffles: Try Maison Dandoy, a renowned Belgian waffle spot next to the Grand Place.
Belgian Beer: Visit Delirium, a popular destination for tourists known for offering the widest variety of beers in the world.
Belgian Fries: Check out Frites Atelier near St. Catherine, which is famous for its delicious fries and unique sauces, including the traditional Flemish stew.

Recommended Cafés and Restaurants in Brussels City Center

Chicago is next to St Catherine. It has a small kids’ corner, perfect for keeping younger kids entertained.
Address: Rue de Flandre 45, 1000 Bruxelles

Try Gaston for a waffle and ice cream next to St Catherine and Quai au Bois à Brûler.
Address: Quai aux Briques 86, 1000 Bruxelles

Wolf Sharing Food Market near Place de la Monnaie has several restaurants packed into a food market. On Sundays, there’s also a jumping castle and activities for kids are organized regularly.
Address: Rue du Fossé aux Loups 50, 1000 Bruxelles

Check the map for more indoor or outdoor activities, kid-friendly cafés, restaurants, and hotels.

Practical Tips for Visiting the Brussels Christmas Market

This is a very popular event that gets crowded on weekends. Try to visit on weekdays or as early as possible.
Do not attempt to go to the city center by car. You can use public transportation instead.
Cost: Free entrance, but you pay extra for the attractions, e.g., the Ferris wheel or the carousel.
The official map of Brussels by Lights and the official site of the Christmas market are available here.

Practical Tips for Families

There is a baby corner in the City Hall at Grand Place. You can change the baby or warm up their bottle.
If you are looking for a kid-friendly cafe in Brussels, Chicago, near St. Catherine, has a small play corner for younger kids.
If you are looking for indoor playgrounds in Brussels and around, there aren’t any in the center.
The Lego Discovery Center Brussels is relatively close to the center.

How To Reach the Brussels Christmas Market

From the Airport

Take the direct train from the Brussels airport to Brussels Central Station.

By Train or Metro

Train station/metro stop: Brussels Central Station (Gare Centrale). This is the best option for visiting Grand Place. Avoid going by car, especially if you want to see the Christmas market in Brussels during the weekend when it’s more crowded.
If you want to go directly to Place St. Catherine, you can easily access it at the metro stop St. Catherine, right in the middle of the Christmas market.

By Car

Remember that parking can be packed during this period, and there is a lot of traffic congestion, especially on the weekends. It is best to use public transport instead of a car to visit the Brussels Christmas market.

Parking: We usually use this underground private parking next to Grand Place
Interparking Brussels – Parking Grand Place
Rue du Marché Aux Herbes 104, 1000 Bruxelles

Brussels Christmas Market Map

There are two ways to get around the Brussels Christmas market, and both ways cover all the attractions mentioned above.

A. One Direction Route

You follow one direction, and you see everything along the way.

We usually take this route because we like to end our walk and spend most of our time at St Catherine, the biggest Christmas market, where you can sip hot chocolate and have something to eat.

Here’s an interactive Google map

Walk along the Christmas market following the order of the post.
Start at Gare Central (Brussels Central Station) and stop at the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert.
Visit Grand Place and enjoy the light show.
Walk to Bourse, Place de la Monnaie, De Brouckère, St Catherine, Marché aux Poissons.
At the end of your walk, take the metro from St Catherine for two stops in the direction of Herrmann-Debroux to return to Brussels Central Station (Gare Central), or walk back.

B. Cyclical Route

Here is a Google map if you want to follow the cyclical walk

Walk in a circle from the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert and end up at the same spot, walking back. That way, you see about half of the attractions on your way to St Catherine and the rest on your way around.
You can walk along the Christmas market in the following order: start at the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert, Grand Place, then walk to Bourse, St Catherine, Marché aux Poissons, De Brouckère, Place de la Monnaie.

Of course, you can choose what you would like to see and follow your itinerary. These two are my recommendations if you want to see everything.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are other famous Christmas markets near Brussels?

Other famous Christmas markets in Belgium are the Antwerp Christmas Market, the Bruges Christmas Market, and the Ghent Christmas Market. So many Christmas markets near Brussels are worth visiting as a day trip.

Are credit cards accepted at the Brussels Christmas Market?

You can usually pay by credit card at the Brussels Christmas market but always have some cash on you.

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