Christmas with kids in Belgium – All you need to know

If you are wondering what to do in Belgium with the kids during Christmas holidays, then check this guide with family friendly events!

Christmas in Belgium is an exciting and festive time for families, especially when you have kids. From the traditional Christmas markets and events, to the spectacular Christmas lights, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Kids will love exploring the Christmas markets and trying all the delicious treats. You can also find unique gifts like handcrafted toys and decorations that you won’t find anywhere else. And when it comes to traditional Christmas events, Belgium has them all, from carol singing to ice skating. For a truly unforgettable experience, take your family to the Christmas markets in Brussels, where you’ll find a festive atmosphere and plenty of entertainment. Of course, no Christmas in Belgium is complete without visiting Santa Claus! You and your kids can meet the man in red and get a photo taken at one of the many Christmas events around the country. So why not make this Christmas extra special and head to Belgium with your kids? There truly is something for everyone, and it’s sure to be an unforgettable and magical experience for the whole family.

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St Nicholas events

In St Nicholas with kids in Belgium: all you need to know you will find tons of events and other useful details, like where to send the letter to St Nicholas to receive a reply 🙂

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Christmas markets

We are big fans of Christmas markets here, so we have gathered the ones we like in The best Christmas markets in Europe! You can find there posts and details on some of the best Christmas markets around, like Aachen, Cologne, Lille, Valkenburg (Christmas market in a cave) and many more!

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We love the Brussels Christmas market! You will find practical tips for visiting with kids, kids friendly restaurants near the Christmas market and a map in this guide

The kids can meet Santa in his house at the Christmas market in Hasselt. This Christmas market is one of the best in Belgium! There are so many attractions, it’s like a Christmas-themed mini fun fair. Furthermore the ice rink is gorgeous

In Christmas tractor parades in Belgium you will find a short video to get an idea of what it’s like and several Christmas events that you an attend with your family

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Light shows

In Light shows in Belgium you will find a list with light shows that take place in the winter months, like Lightopia and Magnetic Flow. Especially Lightopia has a Christmassy theme. There is no better way to beat the winter blues!

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Fun events for kids

Spirit of the North is fun, interactive and a great addition to the Brussels Christmas market. Read on for lots of practical tips to plan your visit

You need a ticket to enter the indoor area, but you can just walk around the outdoor illuminated installations for free – and they are so close to Grand Place, don’t miss them when you are visiting the Christmas market in Brussels with kids!

You need a ticket to enter the indoor area, but you can just walk around the outdoor illuminated installations for free – and they are so close to Grand Place, don’t miss them!

Kids Winter Wonderland – Tour et Taxis

Elves, jumping castles, winter bar and food trucks at Tour et Taxis
When: 24-31.12.2022
More details here and here

Plopsa Indoor Hasselt

Meet with the dwarf Klus for a live show and dance at the indoor amusement park Plopsa Indoor Hasselt
When: 24.12-01.01.2023, 07-08.01.2023, also extra event on 02-06.01.2023
More details here and here for the extra event

See the full post on Plopsa Indoor Hasselt here for lots of practical details, photos and a video

Plopsa Station Antwerp

When: 24.12-08.01.2023, also extra event on 02-06.01.2023
See more details here and here for the extra event

See full post on Plopsa Station Antwerp with practical details, photos and a video

Winter Indoor Playground – Tervuren

Jumping castles, play bikes, circus at the sport compex Diependal for kids 3-12 years old
When: 05-06.01.2023
More details here

Winterhallen – Winter bar with skating rink in Overijse

When: until 08.01.2023
More details here

Farm

Ferme et Compagnie

The kids can feed the animals at the farm, meet Santa and play lots of games
When: 17-18.12.2022
More details here

See post on past event at Ferme et Compagnie to get an idea of what it’s like

Christmas walk

Den Overkant – Dino’s

The local ccommittee Den Overkant in Zoersel has been organizing Christmas walks in the forest. These events change theme every year. In 2022 the theme is Dinosaurs. We love their attention to detail and creativity! The story is in Dutch, but you can also enjoy it without understanding Dutch (you will not get the most out of it, but you will still enjoy it)
When: until 08.01.2023
More details here

Tip
If you are going after sunset, take a flashlight with you (there are no lights)

See here past events to get an idea of what to expect, like Door Kabouterogen (Through Dwarf Eyes)

Another past event is De Steen

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Theater

Festival Noël au Théâtre

24 shows for young audience
When: 26-30.12.2022
More details here

Magie de Noël

A theatrical walk taking place in 10 castles
When: 03-23.12.2022
More details here

Théâtre Royal du Parc – Le Noël de M.Scrooge

When: 17-31.12.2022
More details here

Sneeuw

Theater for toddlers (1-3 years old) in Dutch
When: 17-18.12.2022, there are several more dates and different locations
More details on the show here and on dates and locations here

Hope

Fire and circus event in Dutch for kids 3+ years old
When: 17-18, 23.12.2022
More details on the show here and on dates and locations here

Concerts

Snowman

When: 11.12.2022
More details here

Brussels Carol Concert

When: 18.12.2022
More details here

Bruocsella Symphony Orchestra

When: 10-11.12.2022
More details here

Bozar: ‘Winter Concert – Mozart Viva la Libertà!’

A brand new production based on Mozart’s music for kids and teens
When: 21, 23.12.2022
More details here

Bozar: ‘Winter concert – Viva la libertà’

A brand new production based on Mozart’s music for kids at primary school
(different target age to the previous event)
When: 22.12.2022
More details here

Mini Concerts

Concerts for babies and young kids
When: 18.12.2022
More details here

Zakoustics – Tricoterie

Concerts for babies and toddlers (0-3 years old) and their parents
You can also have brunch at Tricoterie. There are activities for kids (at extra cost)
When: 18.12.2022
More details here

Puppet theater

Théâtre Royal du Peruchet – Le Petit Chaperon Rouge

When: 17-18,21,28-30.12.2022
More details here

Théâtre du Ratinet – Père Noël dans la Forêt des Neiges Perdues

When: Ratinet et Père Noël dans la Forêt des Neiges Perdues: 17, 18, 21, 27-3012.2022
Ratinet et le Château Mystérieux:  03-08.01.2023 (different show)
More details here

Restaurants

Hard Rock Cafe – Breakfast with Santa

Breakfast with Santa: American buffet breakfast, Santa visit with gifts for kids and more
When: 18.12.2022
More details here

Hard Rock cafe is next to Grand Place in Brussels. See the post on Brussels Christmas market for practical tips for visiting with kids, kids friendly restaurants near the Christmas market and a map in this post

Chalet Robinson

When: Christmas market on 04.12.2022, 11.12.2022 with kids corner
More details here

Chalet Robinson is in the middle of the forest Bois de la Cambre and you need to take a little ferry for a few minutes to cross the lake (this is so much fun with kids!) There is also Wonder Woods, the Christmas attractions at Bois de la Cambre: light installations, go carts and an ice rink. See the post on Wonder Woods for lots of practical details on how to visit with kids

Citizen Kane

When: 18.12.2022
More details here

Shopping malls

Westland shopping mall

When: Santa Claus comes on 10-11.12.2022, 17-18.12.2022
Gospel songs on 11.12.2022
Grand Christmas parade on 18.12.2022
More details here

Basilix shopping mall

Santa Claus visit at the shopping mall Basilix, also small Christmas market until 07.01.2022
When: 17-18, 21, 24.12.2022
More details here

Docks shopping mall

When: Disney ice rink, Christmas market
Christmas parade on 17.12.2022
More details here

Cut your own Christmas tree

Sapi Grange

Cut your own Christmas tree with the kids in Belgium
When: Wednesday to Sunday
More details here

Donate

Operation Pere Noel

Donate a gift to kids in need!
We love this initiative. There are no money involved, you buy a gift and give it to the kid directly! The non-profit organization matches you with a kid in need and then magic happens 🙂
More details here

Local creators markets

Tricoterie

Local creators market and kids friendly brunch. You can pay extra for activities for kids
When: 11.12.2022, 18.12.2022
More details here

Creators Factory – Brussels Christmas market

When: 25.11-04.12.2022 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) at Halles Saint-Géry
More details here

See the post on Brussels Christmas market with practical tips for visiting with kids, kids friendly restaurants near the Christmas market and a map in this post

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I felt I found gold when I started diving into the Facebook group posts.

Thanks for beeing a real “childhood memories” builder!

Cristina O.

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