Festive Christmas Market in Brussels, Belgium
Our series on Europe’s Christmas Markets continues with a visit to Belgium’s beautiful capital, where we spent several days indulging in sweet Glühwein, freshly baked waffles, savoury grilled sausages, crisp handmade Belgian fries and refreshing Belgian Blonde Ale directly from the source.
Brussels’ stunning Grote Markt (the Grand Place), listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the perfect place to soak up the Christmas spirit. The magnificent guildhalls and historical buildings are festively decorated and illuminated with bright lights, creating an unforgettable Christmas setting.
Cheerful crowds collecting in the Grote Markt (Grand Place), the stunning central square in Brussels. The enormous square was packed with tourists and local residents at all times of the day, adding to the city’s great holiday spirit.
Nicole enjoying some hot Glühwein at the popular Christmas Market located just outside the world famous Grand Place (the Grote Markt)
Mouth-watering, homemade Belgian potatoes ready to be served at the Brussels Christmas Market
We think we visited about five different markets during our four days in Brussels, but it’s hard to say because the whole city seems to be one giant festive market during the holiday season!
Nicole if front of the Canadian pavilion at the Christmas Market. We always find it interesting to learn what is classified as “Canadian” in other countries. Of course, maple syrup and beer were the most popular items!
Cameron enjoying a freshly baked waffle with icing sugar, a Belgium classic!
Outdoor ice rink and Ferris wheel in the centre of the Christmas Market
A popular market merchant selling its famous Belgian fries with all the fixings
Smaller market with a crowd pleasing ‘merry-go-round’ and live music
Coils of freshly prepared handmade sausages at a market shop. The dark one on the left is a chocolate sausage. It seems a little odd to add pork and chocolate into a sausage… no?
Enjoying a sampler of Belgian beer at a local brewery in Brussels
The Maison du Roi (King’s House), also known as Broodhuis (Breadhouse), in the celebrated Grote Markt
A parade through the crowded cobblestone streets of Brussels, finishing in the Grand Place
Stilt walkers parading through the central square…
They put on a great show for the cheerful crowds!
The legendary Brussels Town Hall lit up in the evening with an enormous, brilliant Christmas Tree in the square centre. The towering Gothic building reflects a light show each evening during the holidays.
In our opinion, Europe is the best place to soak up the Christmas spirit during the Holidays. The music, the food, the beer, the crafts, the historical architecture, the cheerful people and the festive atmosphere make it the perfect place to celebrate the holiday season!
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Have you experienced a European Christmas Market? What did you think?
Leave us your comments below, we’d love to hear from you!
AHHH, Brussels is my favorite, this is making me want to go back just for their Christmas celebrations. It all looks so beautiful and festive!
All of your posts about the Christmas markets are absolutely killing me! They look like so much fun!
They are a lot of fun – Christmas in Europe is great!
So many people send their time in Europe in the likes of Amsterdam and Paris but Brussels often gets forgotten but as your pics show it is a stunning place! The Grand Place rocks especially sitting around having a couple of good strong Belgian beers!
Couldn’t agree with you more! Brussels is probably one of the best places to enjoy a pint of blonde ale! 😉
You have really interesting blog, keep up posting such informative posts!
I hope that I can experience Christmas market, cause ever since in my life I never tried having fun because of work, I hope that one day will come.