Planning a trip to Belgium in December and thinking: Is Belgium worth visiting at Christmas? Yes, Christmas comes in Belgium like magic. If you want to experience Christmas evening like Santa stories, twinkling streets, scent of food, decorated Christmas trees and a lot of surprising gifts. Belgium is your perfect winter trip to enjoy this traditional festival.
From exploring & shopping in the best Christmas market Winter Wonders (Plaisirs d’Hiver) in Brussels & Gentse Winterfesten in Ghent to enjoying the Sparkling wine on Christmas evening, this country offers unforgettable festival vibes.
So, get ready to enjoy winter vibes or explore the Christmas market in the country. Apply for your Belgium tourist visa in UK from SCHENGEN TRAVEL INFO, to avoid all types of visa hassles, secure express Belgium visa appointment in UK, and enjoy the festival.
If you want to know more about the festival, market information, or how to apply for a Belgium visa from London, this festival guide explains everything about the festival and Belgium visa.
Belgium is absolutely worth visiting at Christmas due to many reasons. These reasons include its magical Christmas markets, charming medieval towns, day and evening traditionals, Saint Nicolas Day, winter activities, and delicious cuisine.
Here are some reasons why Belgium should be at the top of your Christmas travel list:
So, these things during the Christmas season are the reasons why is Belgium worth visiting at Christmas.
Local Tip: Visit these markets on weekdays or in the evening to avoid crowds. Also bring some cash, because some vendors in the market do not accept online payment.
Are you struggling to find the appointment slots? Here is the Belgium visa appointment and document requirement where you can find out the detailed and get the appointment as soon as possible.
Christmas is a winter festival but it comes in Belgium like spring. The cities of the country transform into winter wonderlands and happiness blooms in each part of the city. You can see festive spirits, twinkling lights, Christmas trees, gifts, Santa costumes, and happy faces everywhere in the country. Here are some of the best cities to visit during Christmas in Belgium.
This city is known as the heart of the Christmas festival. During the festival this city becomes a wonderland. UK travelers can enjoy food, and market activities in the Christmas season.
Food to try in Brussels
Activities to do in Brussels
Local Tips: Do not miss the light show at Grand-place after the sunset and use an offline map to explore the places.
If you are celebrating Christmas with your partner then you should choose this destination to get the best romantic vibes in Belgium.
Food to try in Bruges
Activities to do in Bruges
Local Tips: Due to the romantic atmosphere Burges becomes too crowded, so either explore the city in early morning or late night.
If you do not like crowds but still want to enjoy the festival, then celebrate Christmas in Ghent. This city offers vibrant vibes with a live atmosphere and quiet Christmas evening. This city offers the perfect vibes of local Belgium during the Christmas season.
Food to try in Ghent
Activities to do in Ghent
Local Tips: If you are booking a hotel in Ghent and going to enjoy the Christmas 2025 in this city, then get the City Card Gent. This gives you free access to public transport, museums and boat trips.
If you are visiting Belgium during December, and excited for the Christmas festival and want to know is Belgium worth visiting at Christmas? These Christmas markets are the answer to this question.
Brussels has the biggest Christmas market in Belgium. It has over 200–270 festive stalls, and offers all types of things. From wooden items to beautiful Christmas saviours, this market is the perfect destination for shopaholic UK travellers.
Local Tips: This market hosts dazzling light shows in the evening, so explore the market in the evening. Additionally, you can enjoy mulled wine under the twinkling Christmas tree decorations.
Bruges’s winter glow market is straight out of a fairy tale. The ancient cobbled streets, and live musical atmosphere makes it perfect to take a stroll during Christmas evening. You can visit illuminated light trails, can take an ice rink at Minnewater’s Lake of Love, and seasonal traditional performances here.
Local Tips: This picturesque city is known as the best European destination to visit by train from the UK. Evening timings are best to explore the market.
Ghent’s Christmas market includes multiple beautiful locations. This is the second biggest Christmas market in the country. These locations include Korenmarkt, Sint‑Baafsplein, Botermarkt venues. UK travelers can find everything from small to larger things on around 150+ stalls.
Local Tips: You can enjoy roller skating under the Stadshal, and take a tour of “Land of Ice” kids’ village. So, if you are on a family visit, do not forget to explore this city during the Christmas season.
Liege has the oldest Christmas market in Belgium. It has over 200 wooden chalets. UK travelers can enjoy Ferris wheel rides, ice-skating, live entertainment, and taste dishes like boûkète (buckwheat pancake) in the market.
Local Tips: Visit the market early in the morning to avoid the crowds. And do not miss to drink warm Peket ( local fruit schnapps) here.
December is on its way and people are excitedly waiting for Christmas. Europe celebrates Christmas in a grand manner. If you are planning a trip to Belgium to celebrate Christmas and want to know the answer of is Belgium worth visiting at Christmas? Here are some traditions that should not be missed during Christmas in Belgium.
Christmas Eve: The Christmas Eve (Kerstavond) feast, known as le réveillon de Noël in Belgium. Why this should not be missed, because you can enjoy the delicious traditional Belgium dishes at dinner here. These dishes can not be found at any other festival in the country.
Pere Noel ( Father Christmas): Père Noël, father of Christmas in Belgium. He is known for his work delivering gifts to children on Christmas Eve across Belgium. Due to this reason the Belgians call him the second Santa.
Saint Nicholas Day: A famous day and beloved holiday in the country comes on 6th December. Children receive gifts, and food in small towns on this day. So, children wait for this festival.
Christmas is a big day in Belgium and thousands of UK travelers apply for a Belgium visa from UK to celebrate this festival. Due to the high number of visa applications it takes a lot of time to process all the applications. And sometimes due to peak season it’s hard to get an express Belgium visa appointment from London.
With us you do not have to worry about delayed appointments, waiting and rejections. The visa experts here book your express Belgium schengen visa appointment from UK with the first available slot and guide you in the Belgium visa application too.
After getting the answer of is Belgium worth visiting at Christmas? Now, if you want to know the best way to explore the Belgium cities such as Brussels, Bruges Ghent and Leges to celebrate the Christmas festival, below is the answer.
Belgium has the most efficient and affordable train system in Europe. The major cities such as Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, and Liège, are just 30 to 60 minutes away from Belgium. So, you can use the train to avoid parking, traffic issues and enjoy the scenes during the Christmas season. The train is the best way to explore the multiple cities in Belgium on budget and time.
If you want more comfort and explore villages too, then you can rent a car in Belgium to explore the rural area during the Christmas festival. Because the train only takes you to the main city area, not in the villages.
If you booked the hotels near the city center in Belgium or in cities then you can explore the city by foot. Because many of the landmarks are near the city centers. Additionally, during the Christmas season you have to walk because of crowds, traffic and markets.
Ultimately, it depends on the way to explore the cities, use a train to travel between major cities, rent a car to visit villages and walk to enjoy markets, street food and for Christmas shopping.
In the final thought, is Belgium worth visiting at Christmas? Undoubtedly, Belgium is in the list of top 10 countries in Europe to celebrate Christmas grandly. Whether you’re planning to shop in Christmas markets, or buying a lovely souvenir for your partner or family, or a foodie, this country offers a magical and unforgettable Christmas experience. Additionally, the picturesque charm of its towns and cities during the festival will add a new collection to your picture gallery.
So, now, pack your bags, apply for a Belgium tourist visa from UK, at SCHENGEN TRAVEL INFO, and get ready to explore the winter wonders in Belgium! Merry Christmas!
Yes, Belgium is very much worth visiting during Christmas. At this time the cities of Belgium become live due to markets, twinkling lights, decoration on trees and houses, family gathering.
The most convenient way to reach Belgium on budget and time is taking a flight from the UK cities. This is the fastest and affordable way.
A UK traveler can enjoy delicious waffles, popular hot chocolates, roasted chestnuts, traditional rich waterzooi and stoofvlees during the Christmas.
You can experience the Christmas vibes
1. Brussels
2. Ghent
3. Bruges
4. Antwerp
No, UK citizens are allowed to explore Belgium or other Schengen countries without a visa. After Brexit UK signed a visa-free agreement with Schengen zone. According to this agreement British passport holders do not require a visa to explore all 29 Schengen countries for a short time ( Maximum three months).