Christmas Markets in Belgium 2026

If you’re heading to Belgium in winter, you’ll have plenty of Christmas markets to choose from. Best of all, each has its own distinct vibe. Brussels puts on a massive winter festival across multiple city squares, Bruges lets its fairytale old town take center stage, Liège is a must-visit for food lovers, and in Ostend, you can easily pair festive strolls with crisp North Sea breezes.

Here’s a breakdown of Belgium’s top Christmas markets for the 2026–2027 season-including dates, locations, and what makes each one worth a visit.

Winter Wonders – Brussels

• Dates: November 27, 2026 – January 3, 2027
• Opening Hours: Daily 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM; closes at 6:00 PM on December 24 and 31
• Location: Grand-Place, Bourse, Sainte-Catherine, Marché aux Poissons, Place de Brouckère, and surrounding streets

Winter Wonders is by far the biggest holiday festival in Belgium. It takes over a huge chunk of the city center, and you can easily spend hours wandering around.

More than 200 wooden chalets pop up across various squares, serving up festive street food, warm drinks, thoughtful gifts, and holiday decor. Over at the Grand-Place, you’ll find the giant Christmas tree alongside a stunning sound-and-light show every evening. Throughout the other festival areas, you can hop on a Ferris wheel or vintage carousels, hit the ice rink, and enjoy plenty of classic winter activities.

Winter Glow – Bruges

• Dates: Starting November 20, 2026
• Main Market Locations: Markt and Simon Stevinplein
• Opening Hours: Varies by specific location and seasonal schedule

In Bruges, the market stalls are just one piece of a much broader seasonal festival called Winter Glow.

The two main hubs are set up at Markt and Simon Stevinplein. The Markt is right in the center, bustling with energy and packed with classic chalet stalls, while Simon Stevinplein offers a noticeably quieter, more intimate feel.

Bruges is an absolute dream if you want to spend a few hours soaking up a breathtaking historic setting. If your schedule allows, definitely stick around until evening. Once the bulk of the day-trippers head home, the historic center becomes infinitely more peaceful and charming.

Gentse Winterfeesten – Ghent

• Dates: December 3, 2026 – January 3, 2027
• Location: Sint-Baafsplein, Botermarkt, Klein Turkije, Korenmarkt

Ghent is easily one of the best picks if you want a vibrant, full-scale market set in a truly captivating city.

More than 150 stalls weave their way right through the historic core. That means you never have to go out of your way to find the festivities-you simply stroll between the cathedral, the belfry, and open squares, and naturally find yourself surrounded by holiday cheer.

There’s an ice rink, a Ferris wheel, carousels, and plenty of other seasonal rides and attractions. Be sure to check out the Gravensteen, too: this medieval castle is integrated into the city’s festive celebrations throughout December.

What I love most about Ghent is that the market feels like an organic part of the city rather than a separate event. You can spend the afternoon sightseeing around the old town, and by evening, watch those same cobbled streets transform with festive lights, music, and cozy wooden chalets.

Winter in Antwerpen – Antwerp

• Dates: December 4, 2026 – January 3, 2027
• Opening Hours: Sun–Thu 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Fri–Sat 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
• Special Holiday Hours: Closes at 6:00 PM on December 24 and 31; Closed on January 1; Closes at 5:00 PM on January 3
• Location: Grote Markt, Groenplaats, Suikerrui, Handschoenmarkt, Operaplein, and other central squares

Antwerp is the ideal choice if you don’t want to build your entire day solely around a Christmas market.

Here, it’s effortless to blend holiday festivities with sightseeing, world-class museums, great restaurants, and shopping. The stalls and attractions are dotted right across the city center, meaning you naturally stumble upon them as you explore rather than circling a single crowded square.

The lineup includes an ice skating rink, cozy winter bars, the JOE X-mas House, dazzling light displays, decorated trees, and plenty of family-friendly entertainment. On Fridays and Saturdays, the festivities stay open until midnight, bringing an extra-vibrant buzz to the evening streets.

Village de Noël – Liège

• Dates: November 27 – December 30, 2026
• Opening Hours: Sun–Wed 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Thu–Sat 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
• Special Holiday Hours: Closes at 6:00 PM on December 24; Opens at 1:00 PM on December 25
• Location: Place Saint-Lambert, Espace Tivoli, Place du Marché

If your idea of the perfect Christmas market starts and ends with great food, Liège should be right at the top of your list.

The Village de Noël is a massive holiday village featuring over 200 wooden chalets. What sets it apart are the indoor dining chalets, where you can sit down out of the cold, warm up, and enjoy a proper sit-down meal.

Whatever you do, don’t miss out on an authentic Liège waffle. They are completely different from Brussels waffles-much denser, chewier, and packed with pearl sugar crystals that melt and caramelize on the iron as they bake.

Beyond the food, you’ll find a Ferris wheel, a live stage hosting seasonal events, and a dedicated ice rink just down the street at Place de la Cathédrale.

Since 2015, our website has specialized in individual planning of unique routes, taking into account personal preferences and desires.

Each of you will receive a unique PDF file from us, which contains everything you need: travel routes, car rentals, hotels, the best tourist attractions, attractions for kids and everything you need for a perfect vacation.

During the trip, we are available for you by phone via WhatsApp.

Our personal service provides information from A to Z, taking into account many small details that can become a decisive factor on the way from a wasted trip to an unforgettable vacation.

Our service will make your trip comfortable, save a lot of time on planning and preparation, and most importantly – will allow you to become freer and fully enjoy the pleasure of the trip.

More Info

Leuvense Kerstmarkt – Leuven

• Dates: December 3–20, 2026
• Location: Ladeuzeplein and Herbert Hooverplein
• Opening Hours: Follows the seasonal event schedule

Leuven is noticeably more compact than Brussels or Ghent, and that intimate feel is precisely its biggest charm.

The market gathers more than 120 stalls loaded with gifts, handcrafted goods, and delicious seasonal bites and drinks. Because the squares sit right beside the university quarter, you can effortlessly combine market hopping with a leisurely stroll through the historic town center.

It’s the perfect getaway if you want a relaxed, cozy atmosphere without the overwhelming crowds of a mega-festival. The town is delightfully walkable, everything is close together, and it’s close enough to Brussels for an easy evening trip.

Christmas Market – Durbuy

• Dates: November 20, 2026 – early January 2027
• Location: Place aux Foires and Parc Roi Baudouin
• Opening Hours: Mostly weekends early in the season; daily as Christmas approaches

Durbuy is a tiny historic town where the festive stalls fit neatly into the compact center, giving the whole setup a wonderfully cohesive feel.

There’s zero feeling of an overwhelming mega-event here. You simply wander along cobblestone lanes, pop out into the square, browse the chalet stalls, and step straight back into the old-world streets.

That intimate, fairytale charm is precisely why it’s worth the trip.

Winter in Ostend – Ostend

• Dates: Winter program begins November 27, 2026
• Location: Ostend city center, Wapenplein, and surrounding spots
• Opening Hours: Varies by specific event and venue

Here, the holiday season unfolds right along the North Sea coast. You can take an invigorating stroll along the seafront promenade, take in the winter beach views, and then head back into the town center for the festive markets.

The main Christmas Market is set up on Wapenplein, while the ice rink is placed in a separate dedicated area. Come evening, dazzling seasonal light installations bring the streets to life.

Cœur en Neige – Mons

• Dates: December 2026
• Location: Grand-Place and central streets
• Opening Hours: Finalized closer to the season

Mons hosts its annual winter festival, Cœur en Neige, right in the heart of town. The Grand-Place serves as the festive hub, lined with wooden chalets, holiday lighting, and seasonal activities.

While it’s nowhere near the scale of Brussels or Liège, Mons makes for a lovely stop if you’re road-tripping through Wallonia or already staying nearby.

Tournai d’Hiver – Tournai

• Dates: December 11, 2026 – January 3, 2027
• Location: Historic center of Tournai
• Opening Hours: Varies by venue and scheduled activities

Tournai is another great pick if you want to venture beyond Belgium’s most heavily touristed holiday hubs.

The winter program takes place throughout the historic core, featuring traditional chalets, festive illuminations, and local seasonal entertainment, with key events centered around the Grand-Place and nearby streets.

Quick Guide: Which Christmas Market Should You Choose?

If you want to catch the best and most diverse holiday experiences, I’d focus on Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, and Liège. They couldn’t feel more different: Brussels dazzles with sheer scale, Bruges wins on pure historic beauty, Ghent nails the seamless mix of old-town sightseeing and festive energy, and Liège is unmatched for its gourmet chalets and sprawling holiday village setup.

What we propose

Emma Heidi

Customer Experience Manager

Take all the stress out of planning your trip!

With our experts, you can create the perfect itinerary for you – complete, comfortable, and tailored to all your dreams, wishes, and needs.

We take care of every little detail, so you can simply focus on enjoying your journey.

We’ve been designing personalized itineraries since 2015, and over the years we’ve created thousands of custom itineraries for happy clients.

Discover our clients’ experiences here

 Save time, avoid confusion – we do the work for you. Our service saves you weeks of searching, reading, comparing, and complicated planning. Instead of wasting endless hours – you receive a ready-to-use, accurate and clear itinerary.

 A tailor-made itinerary – built just for you. Your itinerary is personally designed based on our experts’ real field experience and genuine feedback from hundreds of travelers – including hidden discoveries and insider tips that don’t appear in any travel guide.

 Smart accommodation selection – often saves you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. We help you choose verified and recommended places to stay, checking availability for your exact travel dates. Sometimes we suggest hotels not “in the center,” but in safe, convenient, and highly strategic locations – which can significantly reduce travel costs and save you even thousands of dollars.

 We’re by your side even during the trip. We stay with you throughout your vacation – providing professional help whenever needed. If the weather changes, there’s a strike, a local event, heavy crowds, or any unexpected situation – we are here to update, guide, and adjust your itinerary in real time.

 Easy-to-use itinerary – with direct navigation links. Your itinerary includes direct Waze / Google Maps links – no need to search for parking addresses, no stress, no mistakes. Just tap – and go.

Service cost: from only $420. (Special price for short itineraries up to 5 days). Clients tell us the itinerary saves them costly mistakes, fines, wrong choices – plus exclusive discounts on car rentals, better-priced accommodations, and money-saving local tips.

Want to know if it’s really worth it?

Take a look at the experiences of travelers who built their personal itinerary with us.

Click here and let’s start building the itinerary that will save you time, money, and stress – and turn your vacation into perfection.

Of course, your first inquiry is completely free – with no commitment whatsoever.

Contact us via email

Chat with us on WhatsApp
Callback from the expert

How it works

• You are welcome
to contact us
• We discuss
your trip
• You fill out a special form
• We create
your itinerary
• You get it with all useful tips
• We are in touch with
you all the time