11 delightful Christmas markets in Belgium you simply can’t miss

In this post, I want to give you an overview of the Christmas markets in Belgium and more specifically those in Belgium’s 10 province capitals and Brussels. We have Christmas markets starting in mid-November already, so you can take your pick and plan accordingly.
 

Christmas markets in Belgium

1. Brussels Christmas market: November 24, 2017 – December 31, 2017

With a large part of the center of Brussels that is car-free, the Brussels Christmas market expands from the Grand Place until Place St. Catherine, also including the Vismarkt, de streets around the Beurs and the Muntplein. It has an ice-skating rink, a ferris wheel, a light show, a huge Christmas tree and, of course, the Christmas market with over 200 stands.

Where?
Center of Brussels: Grand Place, Place St. Catherine, Vismarkt, Bourse, Muntplein

Christmas market Brussels opening hours
Monday – Sunday: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Exceptions: December 24 and December 31 the Christmas market closes at 6 p.m.

Read about my visit to the Brussels Christmas market in 2015.
 

2. Antwerp Christmas market: December 9, 2017 – January 7, 2018

It’s always fun to attend the Antwerp Christmas market as there’s something new every year. One year there are dancers, the year after there’s a choir… but the huge Christmas tree, the ice rink, the ferris wheel and the stalls on different squares are guaranteed.

Where?
Steenplein, Suikerrui, Grote Markt, Handschoenmarkt and Groenplaats

Antwerp Christmas market opening hours
Monday – Thursday: 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday: 12 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday: 11.00 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday: 11.00 a.m. 9 p.m.
Exceptions: December 24 and 31: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
 

Ghent Christmas market: December 8, 2017 – January 7, 2018

At the Ghent Christmas market, you can go ice skating, ride the ferris wheel, watch street performances and wander along the more than 140 stands. There’s even a special Moose bar and a Children’s Village.

Where?
Groentenmarkt, Korenmarkt, Emille Braunplein, St.-Baafsplein

Ghent Christmas market opening hours
Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – midnight
Friday: 12 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – midnight
Exceptions:
December 24 and 31: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
December 25 and January 1: 2 p.m. – midnight
 

Bruges Christmas market: November 24, 2017 – January 2, 2018

The Bruges Christmas Market takes place at both the Market Square (one of thelocations in the movie “In Bruges”!) and the Simon Stevin Square. At the Market Square, you can usually find the food and drink stands, as well as Christmas decorations. At the Simon Stevin Square, you can find a bit of everything.

Where?
Market and Simon Stevin Square

Bruges Christmas market opening times
Sunday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Exception:
On Christmas day and New Year’s Day, stand keepers are free to decide whether they open or not.
 

Leuven Christmas market: December 7 – December 20, 2017

Eating beignets at the stand of “‘t Wit Madammeke” at the Leuven Christmas market, it’s a tradition for many. The 140 stands mostly sell crafts, small interior decoration items and seasonal products, next to a lot of food and drinks.

2017 is a special year for the Leuven Christmas market as it celebrates its 30th anniversary and moves – just this once – to a new location: the city park. A second Christmas fair will be held at the Laudezeplein with ice slide, a ferris wheel, a Christmas train and more.

Where?
Sint-Donatuspark and Laudeuzeplein

Christmas market Leuven opening hours
Dec 7, 8, 14 and 15: 12 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Dec 9 and 16: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Dec 10 and 17: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Dec 11, 12, 13, 18 and 19:: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Dec 20: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
 

Hasselt Christmas market: November 18, 2017 – January 7, 2018

The Hasselt Christmas market is part of Hasselt Winterland, where you can also find an ice skating rink, a carousel, a roller coaster and more. There are plenty of food and drink stands, as well as stands selling Christmas decoration and other seasonal products.

Where?
Kolonel Dussartplein

Christmas market Hasselt opening hours
Monday – Thursday: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday – Sunday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Exceptions:
December 24: closes at 7 p.m.
December 25: opens at 2 p.m.
January 1: Opens at 1 p.m.
 

Wavre Christmas market: December 8 – December 17, 2017

The Wavre Christmas market is aimed at those who love to eat and drink, with stands selling waffles, tea, coffee, liquor, warm wine, oysters, cheese, and snails. But there are also craftsmen selling their products and giving demonstrations. If you want to get active yourself, you can always do so in the ice skating rink.

Where?
Place Alphonse Bosch

Wavre Christmas market opening hours
Monday – Tuesday: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Thursday: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday: 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Exception: December 24 the Christmas market is open 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
 

Namur Christmas market: December 1 – December 31, 2017

You won’t get bored at the Namur Christmas market! There are tons of stands selling seasonal products, artisanal products, Christmas decorations and more. You can go ice skating and during the weekends there are performances by folkloristic groups and bands. Oh, and of course there’s also plenty of food.

Where?
Place de l’Ange, Place du Théatre, Place d’Armes

Christmas market Namur opening hours
Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – between 8 and 10.30 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. – between 8 and 11.30 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – between 8 and 11.30 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – between 8 and 10.30 p.m.
Exceptions:
December 25: 3 p.m – 10.30 p.m.
December 31: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
 

Liège Christmas market – November 24 – December 30, 2017

The Liège Christmas market is the oldest Christmas market in Belgium. It has more than 200 chalets that attract more than 1.5 million visitors every year.

Where?
Saint-Lambert Square and Marché de Liège Square

Liège Christmas market opening times
Sunday – Wednesday: 11 a.m. – between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Thursday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – between 8 p.m. and midnight
Exception:
December 24: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
December 25: 1 p.m. – between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
 

Arlon Christmas market: December 8 – 10, 2017

The Arlon Christmas market is a small but cozy market under a large, heated tent. Santa Claus is there to meet the children and there’s entertainment for all ages. The stands display artisanal products, food and drinks. There’s also an ice skating rink.

Where?
Place Léopold and the Old Justice Palace

Arlon Christmas market opening hours
Dec 8: 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Dec 9: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Dec 10: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
 

Mons Christmas market: December 9, 2017 – January 8, 2018

The Mons Christmas Market is held under the theme “Heart of Snow” (“Coeur de Neige”). There’s a big ice skating rink that’s also accessible for people with reduced mobility, as well as a curling piste. At the Mons Christmas market, you’ll also find a big Christmas tree, street artists, a dance tent and around 40 vendor stands where you can buy craft gifts and seasonal products.

Where?
Grand Place

Christmas market Mons opening hours
Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Friday – Sunday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
 

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