Christmas market in Brussels

Explore Brussels Christmas market

Brussels Christmas market 2023 is five festive, fun-filled weeks, running from 24 November 2023 to 31 December 2023. The cobbled streets and pretty squares of the city spring to life with Brussels Winter Wonders event, a 2 km-long stretch of snow-dusted market chalets, buzzing bars and pop-up restaurants.

Browse the Christmas market in Brussels for last-minute stocking-fillers, get a bird's eye view from the top of the Ferris wheel, or take a spin on the merry-go-round as the sweet, spicy scent of waffles and glühwein drifts through the chilly air.

The Brussels Christmas market takes place on and around Grand-Place, Bourse, Place Sainte-Catherine and Marché aux Poissons.

Travel in style and hop on Eurostar direct from London St Pancras and arrive in just under 2 hours, making it the perfect day trip or weekend getaway.

Brussels Winter Wonders

From late November until the end of December, in the centre of the city, you’ll find the Winter Wonders Brussels event which has been running for over 20 years. Almost 2.5 million visitors flock to the heart of the city to enjoy the magic of a Brussels Christmas.

There is something for everybody at this magical holiday season event. Brussels Christmas Market 2023, has over 200 chalets and is one of the best Christmas markets in Europe, and here you’ll find wonderful Christmas gifts and festive treats to fill your Christmas stockings. Soak up the festive atmosphere in Grand Place with its stunning illuminated Christmas tree and sound and light show.

If you fancy some festive winter activities to get your heart racing, you’ll find two ice rinks and a curling track at Place De Brouckère and Bois de la Cambre. Or for thrill seekers, you can jump on the large Ferris Wheel at Marché aux Poissons and merry-go-rounds on Place Sainte-Catherine. The magic of Brussels at Christmas is enhanced by this enchanting event.

Where to find the Christmas markets

The Brussels Christmas market, over 250 wooden chalet stalls, is spread out over the capital between Grand Place, Rue de la Bourse, Place Sainte-Catherine and Marché aux Poissons. Market stalls can also be found around Boulevard Anspach, Tour Noire and Place de la Monnaie.

The biggest Christmas market in Brussels takes place at Marché aux Poissons, where over 200 wooden stalls, with snow roofs and illuminated lights, are selling Christmas ornaments and delicious festive food. Here you’ll also find the Ferris wheel to enjoy a view of the decorated city from high above.

For a bit of culture at Brussels Christmas Market 2023 go to Place Sainte-Catherine and La Tour Noire where you can enjoy food and crafts from all over Belgium, France, Germany and Hungary, so it’s a great place to find original gifts and stocking fillers.

Brussels at Christmas Time

If all the activity of the Brussels Christmas market has got you feeling a bit thirsty and peckish treat yourself to some smoutebollen/oliebollen (deep fried sweet dumplings), or a cup of jenever (gin) or Glühwein (hot wine), from a stand and enjoy them as you browse the hundreds of brightly lit stands.

Some other Belgian Christmas traditions include children, instead of hanging up stockings, leaving their shoes in front of the fireplace. And St, Nicolas is said to have a horse, not reindeer. On Christmas Eve families eat a special meal together, usually, turkey, followed by a traditional chocolate Christmas log for dessert.