Before leaving Brussels to spend Christmas with family, I visit the Christmas market as many times as possible in December. I make it my mission to have one last stroll through the festive booths. The wooden stalls and the twinkling lights transform the city centre into a Christmas paradise every year. It’s set to welcome visitors from 28 November 2025. This year marks the 24th edition of the Brussels Christmas Market and promises festive lights, seasonal treats and a magical holiday atmosphere.
Of course there is no Christmas without a Christmas tree. Every year, on Brussels’ main square (Grote Markt) a majestic tree rises above us, inspiring everyone at the square to gasp in awe at its beauty. In 2024, the Christmas tree on the main square was accompanied by a light show which was one of the highlights of the events happening in the city. Various lights illuminated the City Hall, allowing it to transform into a canvas for a creative performance.
If you are visiting Brussels during December, be sure to stroll through the city centre which is adorned with Christmas decorations and lights that lift the spirits despite the gloomy winter weather.
Winter Wonders 2025
The Winter Wonders festival will be open from 28 November until 1 January. The Brussels Winter Wonders festival attracted more than 4.2 million people in 2024. “This edition was a real success,” said Delphine Houba, City of Brussels Councillor for Tourism and Major Events, in an interview with The Brussels Times. “It’s a great way to attract people to Brussels. Many come to Brussels for the Christmas markets but then they stay to discover the whole city and the rest of the region.”
According to the Brussels Times, 35 percent of the people who visited last year’s edition were Brussels residents while 27 percent travelled from other regions of Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia). Being centrally located in Europe, Brussels attracts visitors from neighbouring countries including the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France and Germany. The city is easily accessible by train or car with travel times of less than two hours from each country.
This year the Christmas market features a light show and various events and invites locals and travellers to immerse themselves in the holiday atmosphere.
What else can visitors expect from the event in 2025?
For the 2025 edition of the Christmas market, 238 stalls will be set up in central Brussels allowing visitors to explore a wide variety of flavours, handcrafted gift ideas and of course mulled wine. According to VRT news, this year’s tree will be brought from Antwerp and its decorations will be sold in an auction after the festivities to raise funds for charity.
Designed in partnership with the Royal Theatre of La Monnaie, a monumental upcycled structure will house nine Christmas trees crafted from recycled materials. Beneath the tree, visitors can see an installation by interior designer Victoria-Maria, inspired by the Royal Greenhouses in Laeken. Each design will represent a craft workshop, highlighting artistic skill and the importance of upcycling. Moreover, four workshops will be open to the public to decorate the trees while another four will be reserved for schools.
At Vismet, one of the event hotspots, visitors can hop on the Ferris wheel for a spectacular view of the market. Meanwhile children up to 11 years old can ride Andrea’s Carousel and explore the different gourmet kiosks at Place Sainte-Catherine.
It is important to note that on the weekend of 13 and 14 December the Bourse will turn into a creative workshop for the fourth edition of the Creators Factory. The event is set to accomodate more than 50 creators, showcasing their talent, ideas and commitment to sustainability.
Economic benefits
Besides its tourism appeal, the Christmas market strongly contributes to the local economy. The Brussels Hotel Association reported that in December 2024, the occupancy rate of hotels was close to 74 percent, approaching the record set in 2019.
Many visitors who come for the Christmas market stay to explore local shops, bars and restaurants. After all, Brussels is famous for its gastronomical experiences. These experiences encourage travellers to spend on local economy offerings outside of the Winter Wonders attractions.
Practical information
Visitors should note that on the 24th and 31st of December and on the 4th January all stands will close earlier – 6 p.m. Otherwise, opening hours are noon to 10 p.m.
Visitors from the Netherlands can purchase tickets for the train via the NS international platform or mobile application. Travellers from Germany, France or Luxembourg can directly buy a ticket from the SNCB website. If you plan a trip back during the same weekend, SNCB usually has discounts for return trips. People planning to explore the city beyond the Christmas markets can buy the Brupass card for one day, giving access to all public transport within 24 hours. Those willing to explore the city can visit the STIB-MIVB website and find more information on the best option.
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Polya Pencheva
Polya Plamenova Pencheva is a young Bulgarian journalist based in Brussels, Belgium. Polya holds a Master's degree in journalism from Rijksuniversiteit Groningen and loves writing and telling the untold stories of interesting people. You can find her dining at cute café, shopping at markets, scouting second-hand shops or just chillin' at home with something great to read.
