Brussels Christmas Market 2023: Winter Wonders

In this article, you'll find out:

• What date does the Brussels Christmas market start?
• Where does Plaisirs d'Hiver take place?
• What activities to do at Plaisirs d'Hiver?
• What can you find at the Brussels Christmas Market?
• Where can I see the lights at the Brussels Christmas Market?
   

What date does the Brussels Christmas market start?

This year's Christmas market runs from 24 November to 31 December 2023, with a grand opening evening to give you 5 magical weeks. You'll have access every day, from 12 noon to 10pm.

Some shows and activities will continue until 7 January 2024.
 

Where does Winter Wonders take place?

Festivities take place all over the city centre:

• Place de Brouckère
• Place de la Monnaie
• Boulevard Anspach
• Place de la Bourse
• Place Sainte-Catherine
• Grande Place
• Marché aux poissons
• Place Fontainas
• Dansaert
• Mont des Arts
   

What activities to do at Winter Wonders?

On the ice or in the air, if you're looking for fun and entertainment, you've come to the right place!

To have some fun, go curling or go enjoy the ice-skating rink.

Or do you prefer rides? No problem! Climb aboard the magnificent carousels, plunge into a virtual world on the Dream Space or explore the terrifying lair of the Ice Monster, a 45-metre-long dinosaur. Finally, enjoy a panoramic view from the top of the Giant Ferris Wheel or the View Tower Experience.

There will also be a wide range of events and shows, such as Magic Sundays and After School, with their spectacular magic shows and activities for children.

What's more, caravans will be setting up in the city for the 6th edition of Winter Pop. On the programme: family activities, dance, music and colourful performances!

You'll also be able to hear the Winter Vox group sing Christmas carols and more.

And don't forget to take a guided tour of the City Hall for the occasion.

Here's a quick summary of where each activity takes place:

• Place de Brouckère : ice-skating rink, curling
• Boulevard Anspach : Dream Space, carousel
• Place St-Catherine : Carousel, Winter Vox
• Marché aux poissons : Ice monster, Lotto Ferris wheel
• Grande Place : View Tower Experience, guided tour of the City Hall, Sound and Light shows
• Neder-Over-Heembeek, Square Ambiorix and Laeken : Winter Pop

Please note that on 24 and 31 December, Winter Wonders will close at 6pm. There will therefore be no Sound and Light show on these days.
 

What can you find at the Brussels Christmas Market?

The heart of Christmas Markets in Belgium is Place St-Catherine, but you'll also see a good number of wooden stalls at Place de la Bourse, Place de Brouckère, Place de la Monnaie, the Tour Noire and the Pavillon Stella Artois.

You'll find over 250 chalets selling accessories, Christmas decorations of all kinds, woodwork, leather goods, candles, toys and all kinds of food products, both sweet and savoury.

If you're looking for an original, handcrafted gift, this is the place to be!

If you're feeling peckish, you'll find plenty of chalets offering all kinds of dishes and snacks. Choose from tartiflette, croziflette, raclette, bagels or cougnou (a traditional Belgian pastry), crêpes, cookies, churros and delicious Belgian chocolates.

Covered communal terraces are available for you to enjoy your meal in peace. Do you drink alcohol? If so, don't miss out on the traditional mulled wine and Belgian beer!
 

Where can I see the lights at the Brussels Christmas Market?

Brussels by night is back at the same time as the Christmas market, and is sure to blow your mind. A geocaching trail is also available!

The must-see is certainly the Grande Place, with its gigantic Christmas tree and Sound and Light Shows, from 5pm to 10pm. You can also visit Place Fontainas, Mont des Arts, Place de la Bourse, Boulevard Anspach and Dansaert to discover the other installations.

You can also admire all these installations on board our Tootbus bus with the Christmas Lights tour. Enjoy a panoramic view from the top deck of the bus.

 

To continue your exploration of the city of Brussels at Christmas, take a stroll along 3 of our Tootwalk routes, a feature of the Tootbus application.

• Hypercentre : Chocolate, Comics & a touch of Culture (35 min)
• Art-Nouveau (40 min)
• European District (40 min)

 

On that note, we wish you all the best for the festive season!