17 Nov 2025 You're the best at making travel plans, I want you to know that right now. Because visiting Brussels is always a good idea, but coming to the Belgian capital at Christmas is a sure thing.
The heart of Europe becomes, at this time, the soul of the continent. Because the beauty of Brussels during Christmas is something you have to see and feel to understand.
So, as a reward for your great idea, we're going to show you everything you should see and do in Brussels while you enjoy all the good things that Christmas brings.
You can't miss any of the activities we're going to cover below, but without any excuses, you can't leave without seeing or doing the following.
Here, the beginning of Christmas is always at the end of November. This year, 2025, for example, the magic begins on November 28th. That's the starting gun for magical dates that bring new colours and sensations to the city.
It all begins in the Grand Place, with a parade and a real party to which everyone is invited.
And this is where our Christmas route of places to visit and must-do activities begins. The first thing you should know is that they're all included in what is known as Plaisirs d'Hiver, the Winter Pleasures. Here you'll find everything that will make you fall in love with Brussels at Christmas; from Christmas markets to ice skating rinks.
If you think of Christmas lights, you're sure to think of a large central street or avenue decorated with Christmas lights, some colourful and others shaped like objects associated with this time of year.
But in Brussels, they go one step further. In addition to illuminating the entire city centre, giving Brussels a new beauty, they offer a fantastic light and sound show.
If you go to the Grand Place, the centre of almost everything that happens in Brussels, you'll be amazed by this impressive display. From Monday to Thursday, starting at 5:00 PM, it repeats every hour on the hour, while the rest of the week it takes place every half hour, until 10:00 PM.
The Christmas markets welcome visitors from 12:00 AM until 10:00 PM, giving you a fantastic opportunity to enjoy them at any time of day and thus be able to make any meal with their traditional foods. That is, without a doubt, one of the main advantages of this fantastic opening time.
This is Brussels' main Christmas market, and for good reason. It has more than 150 stalls spread throughout the heart of the city.
It has a fantastic atmosphere, stalls selling gifts, crafts, Christmas decorations, traditional Christmas food, and many attractions and events. You could spend a whole day just walking among its stalls and attractions.
Along the entire pedestrian Boulevard Anspach, all the way to Place Brouckère, Christmas takes over this area of Brussels and shines brightly. Stalls selling traditional food, souvenirs, and mulled wine, among other things, escort our stroll and brighten our day.
Not everything happens right in the historic centre of Brussels; we can also find other Christmas markets in the surrounding area. So, if you're adventurous and want to explore the surrounding area—without spending hours traveling, of course, and everything within half an hour—here are some other Christmas markets you'll love.
But the Christmas markets and the light and sound show don't end there, far from it. First, don't forget to visit two typical Christmas symbols: the giant Christmas tree in the Grand Place and the life-size Nativity scene.
Next stop, the Ferris wheel and the merry-go-rounds. You can't escape them; you have to ride them, either one. The giant Ferris wheel is located in the Marché Aux Poissons and has fabulous views of the entire city.
And if merry-go-rounds are your thing, by the way, that's a fantastic photo for social media. There are two in the center of Brussels. One is in Place Sainte Catherine and the other is in the Marché Aux Poissons market.
We've talked about beautiful photos on the merry-go-round, and don't forget to have a souvenir at the Christmas tree, either. But if there's a well-decorated, beautiful, and covered place, it's the Galerie Saint-Hubert.
This 200-meter glass-enclosed gallery is a corner full of beauty, history, restaurants, shops, and chocolate shops. It may be the place with the best shops and restaurants in the entire city.
Ice skating on a skating rink is another must-do activity if you want to make the most of your stay in Brussels this Christmas. The most famous skating rink is the one located in Place de la Brouckèr, although a second one may be added each year, so keep an eye on the Brussels City Hall website.
And, although it may seem obvious, we have to remember it. You can't leave Brussels without first trying its wonderful local cuisine, and above all, the most typical Christmas food.
Of course, you must try the mussels with potatoes, but don't forget the waffles (in a thousand different varieties), the chocolates, the fries, and the traditional mulled wine.
Our last idea, especially for all those inveterate travelers. We recommend using Brussels as a base camp, a place to spend the night if you want to visit other nearby cities.
And that's the great thing: great cities full of beauty, even more so at Christmas, and history await you just a few minutes away by train. Of course, our favorite cities are Ghent, Antwerp, and Bruges.
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17 Nov 2025 