The Best Christmas Markets in the Netherlands and Belgium to Visit in 2022 (part 2)
In this part two of this blog about the best Christmas markets in the Netherlands and Belgium we'll go over the top 5 markets in Belgium. If you're interested in the best markets of The Netherlands, check out part 1 of the blog here: https://academy.europa.eu/mod/page/view.php?id=14023
Belgium
1.Bruges Christmas Market (Bruges Winter Glow), November 25th – January 8th
In Bruges there are actually two Christmas markets in the city center. There is a large one on the ‘Markt’ where you can find everything you would find at a traditional Christmas market, while the smaller market on the Simon Stevinplein is especially charming with a focus on crafts and local products. Next to the two markets, the city is filled with more festivities which you can find the details to in this brochure of the Winter Glow Festival.
2. Antwerp Christmas Market, December 9th – January 8th
Writing about all the Christmas festivities in the city of Antwerp would take me all day, so I’ll just tell you about the highlights here. There are multiple large Christmas markets on light-filled squares throughout the city and ice rink is one of the most enchanting you will find. There are is also a very cosy pop-up après ski bar next to the ice rink that is worth a visit.
Link: https://visit.antwerpen.be/en/winter-in-antwerp
3. Brussels Christmas Market (Winter Wonders), November 25th – January 1st
According to the Big Seven Travel website the Brussels Winter Wonders is the best Christmas market in the world and has around a whopping 2.4 million visitors per year. What is special about Winter Wonders is that there are fantastic colorful and artistic light projections that decorate the old buildings in the city. There is also a 3-kilometer-long row of Christmas market chalets on a route throughout the city and the enormous Christmas tree on the Grand-Place is one not to miss. For more details, here is the map of the city with all its festivities.
Link: https://www.plaisirsdhiver.be/en/
4.
Liege Christmas Market (Village de Noël), November 25th – December
30th
The Christmas Village in Liège is the oldest Christmas market in Belgium and is hosted by the age-old Village Council. The market sells traditional Christmas decorations, but it is mostly a real foodie-heaven with over 150 chalets, many of which are food and drink stalls selling traditional delicacies like mulled wine, gingerbread and marzipan. There is a lot to love about de Village de Noël as that they have Zero Waste goal and are admirably working to minimize their environmental impact.
Link: https://www.villagedenoel.be/en/home
5.
Ghent Christmas Market, December 8th – 30th
This Christmas is unique, mostly because the city itself is so beautiful with its historical architecture, canals and landmarks. There are some wonderful delicacies to taste like the world-famous Ghent pralines and the traditional ‘kroakemandels’ which are fried and salted peas. If you follow the market from the beginning to the end you will see some of the cities’ architectural highlights like the Saint Bravo’s Cathedral, the Saint Nicolas Church and the Sint-Michielsbrug.
Link: https://visit.gent.be/en/calendar/christmas-market
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hope you loved this list AND that it has inspired you to visit one of the
Christmas markets. I’m going to the Christmas Village and Iceskating Rink in
Amsterdam this week. Let us know your Christmas market plans and pictures in
the forums here: https://academy.europa.eu/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=8107
If you want to look into the Christmas markets in the Netherlands, you can go to part one of this blog here: https://academy.europa.eu/mod/page/view.php?id=14023