The Brussels Christmas market has been talked about a lot this year. Why? Electrabel chose not to erect its traditional Christmas tree on the Grote Markt this year, but opted instead for a 25-metre-high illuminated electric one. Besides the look of it, the biggest difference is that you can climb up it and enjoy the view from the top. The €4 admission fee goes to Samusocial, a non-profit organisation helping homeless people in the city.
Other than the tree, nothing much has changed about this largest Christmas market in the country, visited even by those from outside Belgium’s borders. Winter Wonders takes over the city centre until 6 January, with hundreds of booths selling crafts, mulled wine, pancakes, etc. Plus there’s the big wheel and ice rink. This year, Balkan Trafik (Bozar’s multicultural festival) will provide music, food and drinks near the Zwarte Toren.
Antwerp’s Christmas market (pictured) starts on 8 December and takes place on and around the city’s biggest squares: from Groenplaats to Handschoenmarkt, Grote Markt to Steenplein (where you’ll find the ice rink and the big wheel). Should you be too cold outside, join the crowd in the mirror palace on Groenplaats, where you can warm up with a drink and a bite to eat. On 16 and 23 December, shops in the neighbouring streets will be open all day for last-minute Christmas shopping.
Ghent’s traditional Christmas market is in the historical centre in Sint-Baafsplein in the shadow of the cathedral. From 7 to 30 December, you’ll find about 50 booths selling artisanal gifts, food and drinks. For the third year in a row, Ghent also hosts Winterdroom (Winter Dream) on Sint-Pietersplein (not far from the museum quarter). It probably gets the prize for starting the earliest – on 23 November – and goes on until 6 January. There’s the Winter Fair with, among other things, a big wheel, where you can enjoy breakfast high above the ground. For doughnuts, pancakes and hotdogs, you need to be at the Winter Village, where the wooden cabins cater for every taste. Careful with those waffles and mulled wine though, especially before joining the Flying Rudolph ride.
www.winterdroom.be
Hasselt promotes itself as the cosiest Christmas city in Flanders. Visit the fifth edition of Winterland before 6 January to find out why. They have the largest ice rink in the region (1,000 square metres) and are ready for any weather, as part of the Christmas market is covered. Visit Santa in his Finnish house on Kolonel Dusartplein from 8 December, where elves will give you a guided tour, or join friends and family in the Winterland cafe for a hot drink.
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