Brussels might just be Europe’s most underrated Christmas getaway. It doesn’t get a lot of love and is often overlooked for flashier places such as Munich, Krakow or even Strasbourg. However, if you are after a quieter break in a beautiful Old Town and perhaps the best European hot chocolates, visiting Brussels at Christmas time is for you.
Here is your quick guide to getting the most out of Brussels at Christmas. I’ll include all the main things to see and do.
Visiting Brussels at Christmas Time
Key Things to See in Brussels
The Grand Place
Brussels Old Town is the main reason to visit Brussels at any time of year. It is easily on of the most picturesque in Europe. At the heart of this is the Grand Place, the crown jewel of the city. I think that this location is beautiful in any season, but Christmas just adds that extra dimension. The entire area is wrapped with lights and, in 2025, there is the return of the iconic light show.
In the heart of the square is a giant Christmas Tree, as well as a nearby life-sized nativity scene. If these weren’t enough to draw you in though, the Grand Place is also the location of some of the Christmas Markets – which I’ll talk about below.
Winter Wonders (Plaisirs d’Hiver)
Brussels is renowned for its Christmas Markets and most of these are found near Grand Place. This year there are over 200 market chalets dotted around the city. Like all European Christmas Markets, these chalets serve local food and handcrafted gifts. In Brussels, the obvious things to go for are the frites, the waffles, and anything with Belgian chocolate on! There is also a good amount of vin chaud.
The Winter Wonders aren’t exclusive to chalets or Grand Place. In fact, you’ll find Christmas-themed sections throughout the city. In 2025, there are a few different additions. At Place De Brouckère you can go ice skating and also try your hand at curling. If you want a Ferris Wheel, head to Place Sainte-Catherine or Place de la Monnaie (where there is also an ice rink and vintage carousel).
This year I feel that Brussels are really trying to bring their Christmas Markets to life and these run throughout December and into early January. You can find a map of the Winter Wonders here.
Christmas Lights
The magic of Brussels at Christmas time isn’t exclusively in Grand Place. What you’ll find is that the lights spill out into the local streets and there’ll be plenty of illuminated lines and sparkling boulevards.
For the best of the lights, of course Grand Place wins the prize. However, I do particularly like the Galerie de la Reine which is part of Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert. Each year this shopping centre is decorated beautifully with chandeliers, and 2025 is no exception. Another great option for the best lights is the Boulevard Anspach.
Tip: My best advice is to wander down side streets of the Old Town — some of the prettiest displays are the ones you stumble upon here.
Best Food and Drink in Brussels at Christmas Time
Food You Must Try
Belgian food is always delicious. However, Christmas just makes it that little bit more special. The Christmas Markets in particular are excellent and there is always a great amount of choice. Here are my top things to enjoy whilst in Brussels at Christmas time.
Hot chocolate: Belgian chocolate is celebrated across the world for being arguably the best. It is delicious all year round, but I think it is even better as a warm drink in the winter. It is thick and rich and so available at a variety of chalets and stores. My favourite is at Maison Dandoy, where you can also pick up beautifully packaged biscuits for the journey home! Another good hot chocolate option is Pierre Marcolini
Waffles: Without a doubt, the most iconic food in Brussels are the waffles. You’ll find these dotted about the chalets at the Markets in Grand Place. I’d always suggest topping it with Belgian chocolate, but shop about for those ideal toppings. Perfect for a cold day.
Frites: For something a bit savoury, it has to be Belgian frites. I’d strongly encourage you to try these the European way; served piping hot with a dollop of andalouse sauce or truffle mayo.
Chocolates and Pralines: When you’re in Brussels – any time of year for that matter – make sure that you visit iconic chocolatiers such as Neuhaus or Godiva for festive collections. Other great shouts include Pierre Marcolini, Elisabeth, or Leonidas.
Speculoos cookies: Lastly, make sure that you sample this famous Belgian staple. These are spiced shortcrust biscuits which can be enjoyed with a coffee or straight out of the packet. At Christmas, many shops and stalls do artisan variations of these biscuits.
Book a Beer Tasting
Belgium isn’t just famous for chocolate and waffles. Did you know that the beer in Belgium is world-famous and that Christmas is the best time to enjoy it?
I would 100% recommend a beer tasting experience at one of the many breweries in the city. Some good options for this include bars like Delirium Café or Poechenellekelder. At Christmas, many of these breweries offer a Christmas brew too!
If you still want to enjoy Belgian beer, then head to the Stock Exchange building. Here is Belgian Beer World, which is the perfect introductory experience to the Belgian beer culture. This includes brewery secrets and unique tastings. At the end of the event there is also an impressive rooftop bar!
Other Things to Do
Indulge in some Christmas Shopping
Aside from buying small tokens in the big markets, Brussels is a perfect place to indulge in some retail therapy. I’ve already mentioned Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert with its lovely Christmas decorations, but it is also perfect for finding unique boutiques and bookshops. You’ll also find a diverse set of chocolatiers here.
Alternatively, catch the bus to the Sablon neighbourhood. It is one of the best places to find stylish cafés and boutiques. It is only 1km out from Grand Place and is not too much of a diversion at all. Another option is the Marolles district, which is known for being up-and-coming and a little bit different. You’ll find rogue shops here along with plenty of antiques. It is slightly further out than Sablon though, so you’ll have a longer commute.
A Few More Festive Favourites
Chocolate tasting: You can book a workshop in the city easily through Klook or other tour companies. Alternatively, why not simply sample your way through shops I’ve mentioned above?
Parc de Bruxelles: Wrap up warm, grab a takeaway coffee, and wander through this quiet park for a peaceful pause.
Laeken Gardens: The largest park in Brussels is Laeken and this is perfect for a quiet wander or stroll. The gardens are most famous for the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken, which are sadly closed in the winter but a must-see from the outside. If you come back in the Spring, you’ll be able to go in.
Day Trip Ideas from Brussels
If you’ve got an extra day or two, why not extend out to the Belgian country? Brussels is perfectly placed for some of Europe’s prettiest winter day trips – here are some of my favourites.
Leuven: A university town with gorgeous Gothic architecture and one of Belgium’s most beautiful Christmas trees in front of the Town Hall.
Bruges: This has to be one of the most famous spots in the country and should be high on the list for a day trip. For more information, check out my post on 48 Hours in Bruges | Your Quick Guide.
Ghent: Less touristy but just as beautiful, with illuminated canals and a more local festive vibe.
These are just a few of the day trips from Brussels that you can take, but make sure you check out my blog post for more information.
Final Thoughts | Visiting Brussels at Christmas Time
Visiting Brussels at Christmas time is a must-do for any traveller who loves European cities. It is almost like a bit of a secret and you won’t find anywhere near as many crowds here as more popular Christmas markets in Europe. Why not give it a try and discover the Christmas magic for yourself.
