5 Places in Belgium to visit around Christmas time

Everyone knows the best places to visit around Christmas in their own city and region, but maybe it's time for a little portion of jingle bells elsewhere? five inspiring tips for a cosy evening in a thick coat with the obligatory mulled wine in your hand.

1. Enchanting Christmas in Bruges

A more enchanting setting to set up a Christmas market than Bruges city centre, with all its narrow alleys and medieval buildings, is not easy to find in the world: with 84 wooden chalets around the statue of Jan Breydel and Pieter De Coninck on the Market, you get a real Christmas feeling on the Bruges Christmas market. You'll find food and drink stalls with heartwarming mulled wine or a steaming bratwurst.

2. Christmas Ferris wheel in Antwerp

The city of Antwerp also welcomes you in a magical winter wonderland during the end of the year. Thanks to it's many activities, a sight to behold: in addition to the traditional wooden chalets with specialties from all over the world, the famous Ferris wheel and the ice rink, there are a lot of other to do's that you should definitely tick off your list

3. Winter (wonder) land in Hasselt

Winterland Hasselt is more than a Christmas market with chalets and tents around an ice rink. In the center is the house of Santa Claus, exactly as it looks on the Arctic Circle in Lapland. Children can see what Santa Claus does during the busy winter months. Amazing selfies guaranteed!

4. Late night Christmas shopping in Ostend

At the brand new Christmas market, Winter in the park, in Ostend you can already enjoy a hot chocolate with baileys, a gin of your choice or a portion of churros in the run-up to Christmas. The absolute eye-catcher of the market is the light tunnel in the Adolf Buylstraat: a sparkling carpet of light that covers the entire shopping street, 188 meters long with 232,500 lights!

5. Brussels' famous Christmas market

Cultural activities, good food and drink, ideas for original gifts: the cosy atmosphere at Winter Fun in Brussels, embraces visitors from all over the world for the 19th time! Major classics are on the menu: a sound and light show on the Grand Place, the majestic Christmas tree, the life-size crib, the skating rink, Brussels' famous Christmas market with 250 chalets, the Ferris wheel, magical lighting and various exhibitions and shows during the event.

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