Belgium packs fourteen proper Christmas markets into a country you can cross in under three hours by train — which makes it the easiest place in Europe to see several in a single trip. Below you'll find all fourteen, from the sprawling Winter Wonders in Brussels to a three-day market in a town of 500 people, with what each one is actually like, when it usually runs, and a hotel within walking distance.
This guide covers the best Christmas markets in Belgium:
- Leuven Christmas Market
- Ghent Christmas Market
- Antwerp Christmas Market
- Bruges Christmas Market
- Liege Christmas Market
- Ostend Christmas Market
- Louvain-La-Neuve Christmas Market
- Hasselt Christmas Market
- Ypres Christmas Market
- Brussels Christmas Market
- Mechelen Christmas Market
- Mons Christmas Market
- Namur Christmas Village
- Durbuy Christmas Market
Belgium Christmas Market Dates at a Glance
Belgian markets follow a fairly reliable rhythm: most open in the last week of November, the big city ones run through to the first weekend of January, and the smaller ones wrap up just before Christmas. The table below showcases confirmed dates where available, and predictions for others — organisers publish exact dates in the early autumn, so check the official site before you book anything.
| Market | Usually runs | Roughly |
|---|---|---|
| Hasselt (Winterland) | 13 November 2026 - 3 January 2027 | 7 weeks |
| Durbuy | One long weekend in late November | 3 days |
| Bruges | 20 November 2026 - 14 February 2027 | 6 weeks |
| Brussels (Winter Wonders) | 27 November 2026 - 3 January 2027 | 6 weeks |
| Ostend | 27 November 2026 - 3 January 2027 | 6 weeks |
| Liege | 27 November - 30 December 2026 | 5 weeks |
| Namur | Late November to the end of December | 5 weeks |
| Louvain-la-Neuve | 3 - 20 December 2026 | 3–4 weeks |
| Ypres | Late November to early January | 3–4 weeks |
| Antwerp | 4 December 2026 - 3 January 2027 | 5 weeks |
| Ghent | 3 December 2026 - 3 January 2027 | 3–4 weeks |
| Mechelen | December, usually the first three weekends | 3 weeks |
| Mons | Mid-December to early January | 3–4 weeks |
| Leuven | Mid-December, the two weeks before Christmas | 2 weeks |
The practical takeaway: the first two weeks of December are the only window when very nearly every Belgian Christmas market is open at once. Go in late November and you'll miss Leuven, Mons and Ghent. Go between Christmas and New Year and Liege, Namur, Ypres and Leuven will already have packed up.
Planning Your Trip To The Best Belgium Christmas Markets
When do the Belgium Christmas Markets Start?
Belgium's Christmas markets usually begin in late November and run through December, with the larger city markets extending into the first week of January. Hasselt tends to open earliest, in the middle of November, and Leuven latest, about two weeks before Christmas.
Which Is the Biggest Belgium Christmas Market?
The Brussels Winter Wonders Christmas market is the biggest in Belgium, with more than 200 stalls, an ice rink and a light show spread across several squares in the city centre.
What Is the Oldest Christmas Market in Belgium?
The Liege Christmas Village, established in 1987, is the oldest Christmas market in Belgium. It's well worth a visit — you can go sledging, take photos in the souvenir booths and ride the Ferris wheel.
Which Is the Most Unique Christmas Market in Belgium?
Liege again, for the same reason: it's the oldest, and its Walloon food stalls and age-old traditions make it feel less interchangeable than the bigger markets. If you want unique in a different sense, Ostend's market sits on the beach and Durbuy's fits inside a town of a few hundred people.
Where Is the Most Christmassy Place in Belgium?
Bruges. The medieval centre, the canals and the lights over Market Square give it the most authentically festive atmosphere in the country, and it's the market most people picture when they imagine Christmas in Belgium.
Which Christmas Market Is Better, Brussels or Bruges?
It depends what you're after. Brussels is larger and has far more going on — the ice rink, the Ferris wheel, the light show. Bruges is smaller, prettier and considerably more atmospheric. They're an hour apart by train, so if you can't decide, do both in the same weekend — we've compared them properly in Brussels or Bruges.
What Is the Weather Like in Belgium in December?
Cold, damp and grey more often than crisp and snowy. Expect daytime temperatures a few degrees above freezing, frequent drizzle and early darkness — the sun sets around half past four, which is part of why the markets look so good. Snow is possible but not common in the cities. Pack waterproof shoes and something genuinely warm; you'll be standing outdoors for hours.
Can You Visit Several Belgian Christmas Markets in One Trip?
This is really the argument for choosing Belgium over Germany or Austria. Brussels to Antwerp is 45 minutes by train, Brussels to Ghent about 30, Ghent to Bruges 25. Base yourself in one city and you can comfortably see three or four markets across a long weekend without ever changing hotel or hiring a car.
Are Belgium's Christmas Markets Good for Kids?
Very. Hasselt's Winterland has an ice village and carnival rides, Ghent runs a Christmas tram and a Winter Wonderland castle, Antwerp has a Ferris wheel and fairground rides along the Scheldt, and Namur puts on street entertainers and a carousel. Ghent and Hasselt are the two to prioritise if the trip is mainly for children.
1. Leuven Christmas Market
2026 dates: usually the two weeks before Christmas — official dates to be confirmed, check the exact dates before you build a trip around it.
Leuven's city centre hosts one of the oldest Christmas markets in Belgium. Expect the usual and very good Christmas market fare: mulled wine, stalls selling artisan gifts, and a lot of local food. Because it runs for such a short window, it's busiest of all the Belgian markets on the weekends it's open.
What to Do Beyond the Leuven Christmas Market
Explore Leuven's historic Grand Beguinage by candlelight. The Grand Beguinage is a UNESCO world-heritage community of alleys, courtyards, gardens and parks, and in December it's lit by thousands of candles. The candlelight evening is usually accompanied by bell-ringing and a festive choir.
Where to Stay Near the Leuven Christmas Market
Martin's Klooster | Onze-Lieve-Vrouwstraat 18, Leuven, 3000 | ★★★★
An authentic but expertly modernised hotel with state-of-the-art rooms and very good bathtubs.
2. Ghent Christmas Market
2026 dates: 3 December 2026 - 3 January 2027
At Christmas, Ghent's historic centre is filled with over 150 wooden huts spreading from Sint-Baafsplein to the end of the Korenmarkt. Ghent is one of the most popular places to visit in Belgium at any time of year, and in December it adds:
If you're planning a trip to some of Europe's best Christmas markets with the kids, this is one of the strongest options in Belgium. Ghent's markets have plenty to keep the whole family occupied.
What to Do Beyond the Ghent Christmas Market
Have dinner at the Korenmarkt. This historic square is lined with pubs and restaurants where you can people-watch and take in the architecture of the surrounding buildings — and warm up, which after a few hours at the market you will want to.
Where to Stay Near the Ghent Christmas Market
Hotel Gravensteen | Jan Breydelstraat 35, Ghent, 9000 | ★★★★
A central hotel close to shops, transport links, restaurants and the Christmas market itself. Previous guests consistently praise the staff.
3. Antwerp Christmas Market
2026 dates: 4 December 2026 - 3 January 2027
Antwerp's market is one of the best in Belgium for sheer variety of things to do, and rather than crowding into one square it's spread across several key sites in the city:
- The Grote Markt
- Suikerrui
- Handschoenmarkt
- Groenplaats
- Steenplein
Which means you can wander the Antwerp Christmas markets at your own pace without being permanently shoulder to shoulder with other visitors.
When Are the Antwerp Christmas Markets Open?
Daily opening hours generally follow this pattern, with shortened hours on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve — confirm on the city's tourism site before you travel:
- Monday to Thursday and Sunday: noon to 10pm
- Friday and Saturday: noon to midnight
- 24 and 31 December: noon to 6pm
What to Do At the Antwerp Christmas Markets
At Groenplaats you can skate around the Rubens statue or ride the Ferris wheel for a view over the city. Along the River Scheldt there are fairground rides, and traditional bars tucked away on most corners for warming up. At Handschoenmarkt you can walk through the Magical Winter Forest, where the trees are strung with lights. Don't leave without trying the Belgian winter food:
- Spekpatatjes, small fried potatoes with bacon
- Hot Belgian chocolate
- Fresh Belgian waffles
- Cramique, a soft brioche with raisins, slathered with salted butter
- Mulled wine
- Cougnolle, a tender sweet bread nicknamed 'the bread of Jesus'
What to Do Beyond the Antwerp Christmas Market
Visit Antwerp's Cathedral of Our Lady, or one of the many museums the city has to offer — a useful plan B when the weather turns, which in December it will.
Where to stay near the Antwerp Christmas Market
Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp | Leopoldstraat 26A, Antwerp, 2000 | ★★★★★
For something special near the Antwerp Christmas market, stay at the Botanic Sanctuary — a 15th-century hotel housed in a former monastery. Excellent breakfast, world-class spa, attentive service.
4. Bruges Christmas Market
2026 dates: 20 November 2026 - 14 February 2027
The Bruges Christmas market is the one to pick if you want the fairytale version of a Belgian Christmas. Set in the medieval city centre, it spreads across Market Square and Simon Stevinplein: twinkling lights, wooden stalls, hot chocolate and speculoos. This is the most traditional and the most atmospheric market in the country, and also the busiest per square metre — go on a weekday evening if you can.
What to Do Beyond the Bruges Christmas Market
Take a canal boat tour to see the city from the water, where the cobbled streets and Gothic architecture look their best in winter. If you like history, don't miss the Basilica of the Holy Blood or the Belfry of Bruges for views over the rooftops.
Where to Stay Near the Bruges Christmas Market
Hotel Dukes’ Palace | Prinsenhof 8, Bruges, 8000 | ★★★★★
For a luxurious stay, Hotel Dukes' Palace offers real grandeur a short walk from the market, with beautiful rooms, a lovely garden and exceptional service.
5. Liege Christmas Market
2026 dates: 27 November - 30 December 2026
The oldest and one of the largest Christmas villages in Belgium, Liege's Christmas market is a genuinely local celebration rather than a tourist set piece. With over 200 stalls it's a good place to shop for unusual gifts, drink mulled wine and try Walloon specialities like boudin blanc. There are sledge runs and ice skating if you want something more active.
What to Do Beyond the Liege Christmas Market
Walk up the Montagne de Bueren, a long flight of stairs with a panoramic view over the city, decorated with lights in December. History enthusiasts should make time for the Grand Curtius Museum.
Where to Stay Near the Liege Christmas Market
Van der Valk Hotel Liège Congress | Esplanade de l'Europe 2, Liège, 4020 | ★★★★
A modern, comfortable hotel with spacious rooms and views over the Meuse. Well located for the city and the market.
6. Ostend Christmas Market
2026 dates: 27 November 2026 - 3 January 2027
Ostend's seafront Christmas market is the only one on this list where you can walk from the stalls onto a beach. It has an ice rink, festive lights and a lot of local food including seafood, which is not something the inland markets offer. If you want a Belgian Christmas market that doesn't feel like all the others, this is the one.
What to Do Beyond the Ostend Christmas Market
Take a walk along the beach, or visit the Mercator, a historic ship turned museum. Ostend also has an excellent art museum, the Mu.ZEE, showing Belgian art from the 19th century to the present.
Where to Stay Near the Ostend Christmas Market
Thermae Palace Hotel | Koningin Astridlaan 7, Ostend, 8400 | ★★★★
A stylish hotel with direct beach access, spacious rooms and sea views — ideal if you want to combine a seaside break with the Christmas market.
7. Louvain-La-Neuve Christmas Market
2026 dates: 3 - 20 December 2026
This relatively new Belgian Christmas market is small but lively, with local vendors selling handcrafted gifts and very good food. It's a more intimate experience than the big city markets, and a good choice if crowds are the thing that puts you off Christmas markets.
What to Do Beyond the Louvain-La-Neuve Christmas Market
Walk through the town's modern centre and visit the Hergé Museum, dedicated to the creator of Tintin. Louvain-la-Neuve is a student town, so there is no shortage of bars and restaurants.
Where to Stay Near the Louvain-La-Neuve Christmas Market
Ibis Styles Louvain-la-Neuve | Boulevard de Lauzelle 61, Louvain-la-Neuve, 1348 | ★★★★
A comfortable, family-friendly hotel with modern rooms and a relaxed atmosphere, a short walk from the Christmas market.
8. Hasselt Christmas Market
2026 dates: 13 November 2026 - 3 January 2027
Hasselt's Winterland is one of the most popular Christmas markets in Belgium, with an ice village, carnival rides and an alpine-style bar. It's built for families and for anyone who wants a full day of it rather than an hour of browsing stalls. If you're travelling in mid-November, it's very likely the only Belgian market already open.
What to Do Beyond the Hasselt Christmas Market
Visit the Jenever Museum to learn about Belgium's traditional spirit, or walk through the Japanese Garden, which is striking in winter.
Where to Stay Near the Hasselt Christmas Market
Hotel Hassotel | Sint-Jozefstraat 10, Hasselt, 3500 | ★★★★
A stylish, modern hotel in the city centre, close to Winterland and the rest of Hasselt's attractions.
9. Ypres Christmas Market
2026 dates: usually from late November until shortly before Christmas - official dates not yet confirmed
Ypres is best known for its First World War history, but it also has one of the loveliest small Christmas markets in Belgium. Held in the Grote Markt beneath the rebuilt Cloth Hall, it's full of wooden stalls selling local crafts and mulled wine, and it's noticeably less crowded than Bruges or Ghent for a very similar atmosphere.
What to Do Beyond the Ypres Christmas Market
Go to the Menin Gate for the Last Post ceremony, held every evening at 8pm. It's a moving tribute to the soldiers who died in the Ypres Salient, and it takes place year-round, in any weather.
Where to Stay Near the Ypres Christmas Market
Albion Hotel | Sint-Jacobsstraat 28, Ypres, 8900 | ★★★★
A charming, family-run hotel a short walk from both the market and the Menin Gate. Guests consistently praise the service and the atmosphere.
10. Brussels Christmas Market
2026 dates: 27 November 2026 - 3 January 2027
The Brussels Winter Wonders Christmas market is the largest and best known in Belgium, spanning several locations across the city:
- The Grand Place
- Place Sainte-Catherine
- The Bourse
With more than 200 stalls, an ice rink, a Ferris wheel and a light and sound show projected onto the buildings of the Grand Place, it's the most spectacular market in the country — and the one that most rewards an evening visit. Take a photo by the Christmas tree on the Grand Place, then go shopping on the surrounding streets, lit up by the Brussels by Lights installation.
What to Do Beyond the Brussels Christmas Market
The Grand Place itself is worth lingering in. The Royal Palace and the Atomium are both worth the trip, and the city's chocolate shops are at their best in December — a practical place to solve several Christmas presents at once.
Where to Stay Near the Brussels Christmas Market
Warwick Brussels – Grand Place | Rue Duquesnoy 5, Brussels, 1000 | ★★★★★
A luxury hotel steps from the Grand Place, with stylish rooms, a rooftop terrace and a very good breakfast buffet.
11. Mechelen Christmas Market
2026 dates: during December, typically over the first few weekends. Official dates to be confirmed.
One of the smaller Christmas markets in Belgium but worth the detour, Mechelen is cosy and easily reached by train from Antwerp or Brussels in under 20 minutes. With fewer than 20 stalls, we wouldn't build a trip around it — but if you're staying in a bigger city and want a change of scene for an afternoon, it's an easy one to add.
What to Do At the Mechelen Christmas Market
The market is spread across several spots: Vismarkt, Haverwerf, Van Beethovenstraat and Korenmarkt. Alongside the usual chalets you'll find stalls selling:
- Vegan Belgian Christmas treats
- Homemade cinnamon rolls
- Fresh Belgian waffles
To warm up, huddle around the firepits and toast s'mores, then head for the ice rink at Vismarkt, where you skate surrounded by lights and traditional Belgian facades.
Where to Stay Near the Mechelen Christmas Market
Martin's Patershof | Karmelietenstraat 4, Mechelen, 2800 | ★★★★
A converted church turned hotel, with stained-glass windows and comfortable rooms, a short walk from the market.
12. Mons Christmas Market
2026 dates: usually from the middle of December into early January. Official dates still to be confirmed.
The Mons Christmas Market, held in the Grand Place, brings a lot of festive activity to a historic city that most visitors skip. With over 100 wooden chalets, a Ferris wheel and an ice rink, it works well for both families and couples, and because it opens late it's a good option if you're travelling between Christmas and New Year.
What to Do At the Mons Christmas Market
Sample Belgian chocolates and mulled wine while you browse for gifts. For children there's a carousel and puppet shows; in the evenings there's usually live music.
Where to Stay Near the Mons Christmas Market
Hotel Dream | Rue de la Grande Triperie 17, Mons, 7000 | ★★★★
Housed in a former chapel, Hotel Dream combines modern comfort with historic character — an excellent base for exploring Mons.
13. Namur Christmas Village
2026 dates: from late November to the end of December.
Namur's Christmas village is a smaller, more relaxed alternative to the big markets, and a good choice for a low-key festive weekend. Set in the heart of the city, it mixes traditional Belgian stalls with Walloon specialities.
What to Do At the Namur Christmas Market
The market is set around Place de l'Ange, where you'll find everything from handcrafted trinkets to local artisanal goods, plus a programme of festive activities:
- Concerts, folk groups and marching bands
- Street entertainers
- Roller skating
- A stilt walkers' parade
Families tend to head for the carousel, while a stroll along the river or an hour in one of the local cafés makes for a good break from the stalls. Try boulets à la liégeoise, meatballs in a rich sauce, and a mulled wine to go with them.
Where to Stay Near the Namur Christmas Market
The Royal Snail Hotel | Avenue de la Plante 23, Namur, 5000 | ★★★★
A modern boutique hotel by the Meuse, a short walk from the Christmas village, with stylish rooms, a spa and very good food.
14. Durbuy Christmas Market
2026 dates: usually a single long weekend in late November - check the official dates first, or you'll miss it entirely.
Durbuy, known as 'the smallest town in Belgium', hosts one of the country's most charming Christmas markets in its medieval streets. Set in the heart of the Ardennes, it has decorated streets, wooden chalets and an atmosphere that genuinely does feel like stepping into a Christmas card — helped by the fact that it only happens for three days.
What to Do At the Durbuy Christmas Market
The Durbuy Christmas Market spreads across three locations:
- Parc Roi Baudouin
- Allée Verte
- The Anticlinal site
There are craft stalls, food and drink, and artisanal Christmas gifts, but Durbuy is best known for its nativity scene and the glow of its wooden kiosks after dark. For families, the Christmas storytelling sessions are worth timing your visit around. There's an ice rink too.
Where to Stay Near the Durbuy Christmas Market
Hotel des Comtes | Rue de la Madeleine 12, Durbuy, 6940 | ★★★★
A comfortable base for the market, and a good place to warm up by the fire over a festive meal afterwards.
Getting Between Belgium's Christmas Markets
Belgium's size is its advantage here. Almost every market on this list is reachable by train from Brussels in under 90 minutes, and the network runs frequently enough that you rarely need to plan around a timetable.
| From Brussels to | Approximate train time |
|---|---|
| Mechelen | 20 minutes |
| Ghent | 30 minutes |
| Leuven | 30 minutes |
| Antwerp | 45 minutes |
| Bruges | 1 hour |
| Namur | 1 hour |
| Liege | 1 hour |
| Mons | 1 hour |
| Ostend | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Hasselt | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Ypres | 1 hour 45 minutes, usually with a change |
Durbuy is the exception: it's in the Ardennes with no direct rail link, so you'll want a car or a bus connection from Marloie or Barvaux. Coming from the UK, Eurostar runs direct from London St Pancras to Brussels in around two hours, which makes a Belgian Christmas market weekend one of the few European city breaks you can do without flying.
If you'd rather stay in one place and travel out each day, Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp all make sensible bases. Brussels puts the most markets within an hour; Ghent sits between Bruges and Brussels; Antwerp is the best base if you're focused on the north.
Which Belgian Christmas Market Should You Choose?
- First time in Belgium: Bruges and Brussels, in that order, over one weekend.
- Travelling with children: Hasselt for Winterland, Ghent for the Christmas tram and Winter Wonderland Castle.
- Going in mid-November: Hasselt, which is usually the only one open.
- Going between Christmas and New Year: Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp, Ostend or Mons — the others have usually closed.
- Avoiding crowds: Ypres, Namur or Louvain-la-Neuve.
- Somewhere different: Ostend for the beach, Durbuy for the three-day market in a tiny medieval town.
- Serious food and drink: Liege for Walloon specialities, Antwerp for the winter street food.
More Christmas Markets Across Europe
If Belgium is one stop on a longer festive trip, or you're deciding between countries, these guides cover the rest:
- The best Christmas markets in Germany
- The best Christmas markets in the Netherlands
- The best French Christmas markets
- The best Christmas markets in the UK
- The best Italian Christmas markets
- The best Christmas markets in Austria
- The best Swiss Christmas markets
- The best Christmas markets in Ireland
Will You Visit One of The Best Belgium Christmas Markets?
From the medieval charm of Bruges to the sprawl of Brussels' Winter Wonders and the three-day market in Durbuy, Belgium has more festive variety than a country this size has any right to. And because you can cross it in an afternoon, you don't have to choose just one — find a hotel in Belgium and build a weekend around two or three.
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