Winter Wonders in Brussels

Well, Christmas is one of my favourite topics to write about and of course my favourite time of the year. As a result I decided to combine those two and yes it’s time for me to talk about the upcoming Christmas (oh, I get so exciteeeed)! As you can already suppose I am one of those people counting days till Christmas and yes one of those people who have already decorated their house and bought their red christmas pyjamas at the beginning of November. Yes, I do that too… I buy Christmas pyjamas and socks and like this I do bring the happiness in my house.

So, one of the Christmas holidays that I’ve enjoyed a lot and remember it vividly was my Christmas holiday in Brussels. To be honest, it’s not that I chose Brussels to celebrate my Christmas; Brussels chose me! I used to live there, yes I was doing my masters back then, so I had to stick to Brussels due to my excessive studying obligations… However, I admit that Brussels haven’t dissapointed me at all! The city celebrates Christmas with massive events and of course with its famous Christmas market (yeaaah).

A fact that made me extremely happy is that the Christmas Market begins on the 23rd of November; people might say that it’s quite early but for me it is just great!

Last year then, I’ve been in my Christmas mood for almost 3 weeks!! I visited the market quite a few times and with different people. Everyday after my classes, I was stopping by to get a hot glass of Gluwein and eat christmas delicacies and sweets. I’ve been attending more or less all of the christmas concerts and I’ve been enjoying performances and walks in between the stalls! I’ve been wondering around even by myself and as you can understand the Christmas market became my second home… Plus I had the chance to celebrate my birthday in the market, I am a December baby, so I admit it was a pure bliss !

So I do recommend you visiting Brussels’s Christmas market this year too!

During Christmas, the whole city gets decorated and lighted up! Stalls with food, sweets, clothes and drinks are being installed almost in every corner & square of the city. Head to the Grand Place to see the massive Christmas tree and a magical music and light show. You’ll find merry-go-rounds on Place Sainte-Catherine and the big wheel and ice rink at Marché aux Poissons

If all this activity has got you feeling a bit peckish, settle in to a cosy café with a warming bowl of carbonade flamande, a rich beef stew, to watch the world go by. Even better, buy some warm, chocolatey waffles from a stand and eat them as you browse the hundreds of brightly lit stands. Bliss.

Brussels Christmas market takes place on and around Grand-Place, Bourse, Place Sainte-Catherine and Marché aux Poissons. The biggest indoor Christmas market in Brussels is on Place Flagey. Here you’ll find craft workers from all over Belgium, France, Germany and Hungary, so it’s a great place to find original gifts and stocking fillers.

Grand-Place, Brussels

1000 Brussels, Belgium

Eglise Notre-Dame du Sablon

Rue de la Régence 3, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

The Belgian Chocolate Village

Rue De Neck 20, 1081 Koekelberg, Belgique

Manneken Pis, Brussels

1000 Brussels, Belgium

Restaurant

Sint-Katelijneplein, 1000 Brussel, Belgium

Place Flagey, Brussels

Eugène Flageyplein, 1050 Elsene, Βέλγιο

Visitors will be enchanted by many aspect of the Winter festival including:

• the magical son & lumière illuminations on the Grand-Place

• Christmas markets in the city centre

• attractions including merry-go-rounds on Place Sainte-Catherine, the large wheel and ice rink at Marché aux Poissons

• stalls for stocking up on gifts and treats within a 2km trail.

Convinced yet? Well, you should! After all…it’s Christmas time!!!