Belgium’s 2026 Christmas markets open on November 13 at Maredsous Abbey, followed by Bruges and Durbuy on November 20, then Brussels and Liège on November 27. Ghent, Antwerp, and Mons open in early December. Most will remain open until January 3, 2027. Here are the dates, addresses, and official websites for each market to help you plan your end-of-year getaways.
Last updated: October 6, 2026. The dates for Namur and Tournai will be added as soon as they are announced.
Dates at a Glance
- Maredsous: November 13 through December 20
- Bruges: November 20 through January 3, 2027
- Durbuy: November 20 through January 3, 2027
- Brussels: November 27 through January 3, 2027
- Liège: November 27 through January 2, 2027
- Ciney: December 3–21
- Ghent: December 3–January 3, 2027
- Antwerp: December 4–January 3, 2027
- Mons: December 5–31
Which Christmas Market to Choose in Belgium
Each market has its own unique character. Depending on what you’re looking for, here are the most useful tips.
- The first to open: Maredsous, starting November 13
- The largest: Brussels, with over 200 chalets
- The oldest: the Liège Christmas Village
- In the world’s smallest town: Durbuy
- For charm and free admission: Bruges, with its two markets and the Wintergloed light trail
- Set in an abbey: Maredsous
- For ice skating: Maredsous, Durbuy, Brussels, Liège, Mons, and Bruges
Which Christmas markets are open and when?
- Starting in mid-November: Maredsous (November 13)
- Starting November 20: Bruges and Durbuy
- Starting November 27: Brussels and Liège
- Early December: Ciney and Ghent (December 3), Antwerp (December 4), Mons (December 5)
- Closed before Christmas: Maredsous (December 20) and Ciney (December 21)
- Open until New Year’s Day: Mons (December 31)
- Open through January 3, 2027: Bruges, Durbuy, Brussels, Ghent, and Antwerp (Liège through January 2)
Maredsous, starting November 13
The Maredsous Abbey Christmas Market kicks off the season in Belgium. It runs for six weekends, with more than 60 booths set up around the abbey on Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays. In 2025, it attracted nearly 120,000 visitors over the six weekends. The ice rink remains open until January 3, well after the market closes. In 2025, the abbey also hosted a festival of Christmas concerts in the crypt and the basilica.
- Address: Rue de Maredsous 11, 5537 Denée
- Dates: November 13 through December 20
- Open: Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays
- Official website: maredsous.com
Bruges, starting November 20
In Bruges, the winter season is called Wintergloed. It features two Christmas markets, open from November 20, 2026, to January 3, 2027, as well as a light display, an ice rink, and a winter bar. The festival itself runs through February 14, 2027. The markets are held in two squares in the historic center: the Markt, featuring a traditional market at the foot of the belfry, and the Simon Stevinplein, dedicated to crafts and regional products. Admission to the markets is free. The 2026 hours will be announced by the organizer.
- Locations: the Markt and Simon Stevinplein. Ice rink at Koning Albert I Park.
- Market dates: November 20 through January 3, 2027
- Wintergloed dates: November 20 through February 14, 2027
- Admission: free
- Official website: visitbruges.be/en/winter-glow
Durbuy, starting November 20
Durbuy, reputed to be the smallest town in the world, gets into the Christmas spirit with its chalets and activities in the historic center. It is one of the first Christmas markets in the province of Luxembourg to open. An ice rink will be set up in King Baudouin Park from November 21 through January 4: admission is €9 without skates or €12.50 with skates. Previous years have drawn large crowds, resulting in difficult parking and accommodations in the area filling up quickly—so it’s best to book early.
- Address: Place aux Foires 25, 6940 Durbuy
- Dates: November 20 through January 3, 2027
- Ice Rink: November 21 through January 4, King Baudouin Park
- Official Website: durbuyinfo.be
Brussels: Plaisirs d’Hiver, starting November 27
Plaisirs d’Hiver is Belgium’s largest Christmas market. For its 25th edition, it will take place from November 27, 2026, to January 3, 2027, featuring more than 200 market stalls spread across the Grand-Place, the Bourse, Place Sainte-Catherine, the Vismet (Fish Market), Place de la Monnaie, and Place De Brouckère. There is also an ice rink, curling rinks, a Ferris wheel, the giant Christmas tree, and the sound-and-light show on the Grand-Place. The 2025 edition attracted more than 4.3 million visitors, according to the City of Brussels. This year, Béarn and the Basque Country are the guests of honor, with a Basque-Béarnese village on Place de la Bourse. Admission is free, daily from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., closing at 6 p.m. on December 24 and 31.
- Address: downtown Brussels, from the Grand-Place to Place de Brouckère
- Access by train: Brussels-Central Station, about a 10-minute walk from the Grand-Place
- Dates: November 27 through January 3, 2027
- Hours: daily from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Official website: plaisirsdhiver.be
Liège: The Christmas Village, starting November 27
The Liège Christmas Village is billed as Belgium’s oldest Christmas market and one of the largest, with about 200 chalets. It is set up on Place Saint-Lambert and Place du Marché, with a Ferris wheel and an ice rink on Place de la Cathédrale. Admission is free. During the 2025 edition, the village was open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The 2026 hours will be announced by the organizer. From the Liège-Guillemins train station, it’s about a 15-minute walk to Place Saint-Lambert.
- Address: Place Saint-Lambert and Place du Marché, 4000 Liège
- Ice Rink: Place de la Cathédrale
- Dates: November 27 through January 2, 2027
- Admission: free admission
- Official website: villagedenoel.be
Ciney: Les Fééries du Parc, December 3–21
In Ciney, in the province of Namur, Les Fééries du Parc takes place over three periods: December 3–7, December 10–14, and December 17–21. According to its official description, the market features illuminated chalets, concerts, and a visit from Santa Claus.
- Address: Avenue du Sainfoin, Ciney
- Dates: December 3–7, 10–14, and 17–21
Ghent, starting December 3
In Ghent, more than 150 holiday chalets will be set up in the heart of the city from December 3 to January 3, 2027, between the belfry and St. Bavo’s Cathedral. Previous editions also featured an ice rink and a Ferris wheel.
- Locations: Sint-Baafsplein, Botermarkt, Klein Turkije, and Korenmarkt
- Dates: December 3 through January 3, 2027
- Official website: visit.gent.be
Antwerp: Winter in Antwerpen, starting December 4
Winter in Antwerpen takes place across several squares in the historic center, from December 4 to January 3, 2027. Previous editions also featured an ice rink and a Ferris wheel along the Scheldt River.
- Locations: Grote Markt, Groenplaats, Suikerrui, Handschoenmarkt, and Operaplein
- Dates: December 4 through January 3, 2027
- Official website: visitantwerpen.be
Mons: Mons Cœur en Neige, starting December 5
Mons Cœur en Neige connects three neighborhoods from December 5 to 31: the village of chalets on the Grand-Place, the 600 m² ice rink on Place Léopold, near the train station, and the light display at the Marché aux Herbes. In 2025, admission to the ice rink was €5 for children under 12 and €9 for everyone else, including skates, for one hour.
- Locations: Grand-Place (chalet village), Place Léopold (ice rink), Marché aux Herbes (light display)
- Dates: December 5–31
- Official website: monscoeurenneige.be
Upcoming Dates
The organizers have not yet announced their 2026 dates for:
- Namur: Place d’Armes and Place de l’Ange. The 2025 edition took place from November 28 to December 31.
- Tournai: Grand-Place, at the foot of the belfry (visittournai.be)
This article will be updated as soon as the dates are announced.
Also worth checking out
- Christmas at the Annevoie Gardens: November 20–29, 37a Rue des Jardins d’Annevoie, Anhée
- Rochefort Christmas Market: December 11–20, Square de l’Amicale
- Christmas at Modave Castle: December 12–January 3, Rue du Parc 4, Modave
Tips for Making the Most of Your Trip
- Avoid the crowds: visit during the week or early in the evening
- Busy weekends: those in December are the busiest, especially in Brussels, Bruges, and Ghent
- Accommodations: book early in the most popular tourist towns, such as Durbuy
- Transportation: the train is the easiest way to get to Brussels, Liège, Namur, and Mons, as the city centers are close to the train stations
- Ice rinks: There’s an admission fee, while access to the chalets is free at most markets
- Hours: Always check them on the official websites, as they may change
Foire aux questions
What is Belgium’s first Christmas market in 2026?
The Maredsous Abbey Christmas Market kicks off the season on November 13, 2026. It runs through December 20.
When is the Brussels Christmas Market in 2026?
Plaisirs d’Hiver runs from November 27, 2026, to January 3, 2027, daily from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM, closing at 6:00 PM on December 24 and 31.
When does the Liège Christmas market open in 2026?
The Liège Christmas Village opens on November 27, 2026. It is scheduled to close on January 2, 2027, though the organizer has yet to confirm the exact hours.
Which Christmas markets are open until January 3, 2027?
Bruges, Durbuy, Brussels, Ghent, and Antwerp remain open until January 3, 2027. Liège closes on January 2, and Mons on December 31.
What is the oldest Christmas market in Belgium?
The Liège Christmas Village is considered the oldest Christmas market in the country. It is set up on Place Saint-Lambert and Place du Marché.
Which Christmas markets open in November 2026?
Maredsous opens on November 13, Bruges and Durbuy on November 20, and Brussels and Liège on November 27.
Are Belgian Christmas markets free?
Access to the market stalls is free in Brussels, Liège, and Bruges. Only certain attractions require a fee, such as ice rinks: in Durbuy, for example, expect to pay €9 without skates or €12.50 with skates.
How do I get to the Christmas markets by train?
Brussels-Central Station is about a 10-minute walk from the Grand-Place. In Liège, Guillemins Station is about a 15-minute walk from Place Saint-Lambert.
When will the dates for the Namur and Tournai Christmas markets be announced?
The organizers have not yet released the 2026 dates. This article will be updated as soon as they are announced.
Conclusion
From abbey markets to Ardennes villages and brightly lit cities, Belgium has no shortage of ideas for end-of-year getaways.
