13 Things to Do in Brussels at Christmas

Of the many things to see and do in Brussels, Christmas is a busy season, with activities for the whole family to enjoy and plenty of options if you're visiting the city with children.

From the traditional Christmas markets to the Christmas light show, Brussels is packed with Christmas action. Ready to take note? Let's get started!

Another magical place at Christmas time and only an hour or less drive from Brussels. A trip to Bruges from Brussels during this season can be a great idea, as it is a city that also illuminates its streets, bridges and canals.

The best thing is that if you visit Bruges with children and during this season, you will have many options. A boat trip or finding good restaurants where to eat will be the perfect complement to your family Christmas.

Of the many things to see in Bruges, I recommend you not to miss a tour of its Market Square or Grote Markt, with its active market since 958 and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

An ideal plan for Christmas is the Atomium, one of the icons of Brussels. No less than 103 metres high, this futuristic building imitates a giant stainless steel atom.

Inside it hides an exhibition space where you can see a selection of more than 400 photographs of Belgian history. In addition, with your ticket you can enjoy access to the Design Museum and its exhibition Plasticarium, which includes a series of objects from the 1970s and pieces made from this material.

And best of all, from the Atomium you will have panoramic views of Brussels, where you will get the best photographs of your trip. And if your visit coincides with lunch, you can have lunch in the restaurant while you enjoy this marvellous view.

Booking a tour of Brussels by tourist bus is another ideal option if you are visiting Brussels with children at Christmas, as you will be able to see the city in a comfortable and flexible way while escaping the cold, and move quickly between the main attractions of the European capital. It also includes an audio guide for both adults and children, so that you can get to know the history and curiosities of the city in detail.

You can buy a 24 or 48-hour ticket and you will have unlimited access to the two existing routes (red and blue), being able to get on and off whenever you like depending on your travel plans.

Plus, these buses offer on-board Wi-Fi and have their own app so you can browse interactively.

In my opinion, the most fun activity you can have in Brussels at Christmas is a chocolate workshop. At this time of year when sweets are in the spotlight, you will discover all the secrets of Belgian chocolate making at the Choco Story Museum and attend a demonstration with a team of professional master chocolatiers.

In this workshop you will also learn how to make all the classic sweets such as bonbons, pralines and you will make a personalised chocolate bar, following the instructions of the experts, who will guide you through the process.

In addition, the ticket includes an audio-guided visit to the Choco Story Museum and, best of all, you will enjoy an exquisite Belgian chocolate tasting.

Shopping is a must at Christmas. This route is ideal, not only to buy Christmas gifts, but also to visit a place that will captivate you with its architecture and history. Inaugurated in the mid-19th century by Leopold I, here you will find shops and terraces where you can have a hot drink and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.

This place is usually included in the guided tours offered in the city. It should definitely be on your list of things to see in Brussels. The galleries are divided into three sections: the King's Gallery, the Queen's Gallery and the Princes' Gallery, and are approximately 200 metres long.

In addition to cafes and luxury shops, in these galleries you will also find one of the newest museums in the city, the Museum of Letters and Manuscripts, which has more than eighty thousand documents divided into categories such as history, literature, art and science. So if your Christmas plan in Brussels also includes a visit to a museum, I recommend you include this one. Other museums you can also opt for are the Autoworld Brussels Museum, the Cinquantenaire Brussels Museum and the Brussels Museum of Musical Instruments.

If there's one thing you can't miss at Christmas, it's lights, and Brussels has them all. And the setting is none other than the Grand Place, the city's central square, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful in the world.

It's a 360° light and sound show that illuminates the entire square and each year presents a different theme, as part of the great Winter Wonders festival , which takes place in the city during the winter. So if you' re visiting Brussels this winter season, you won't need to wait until December, as this show usually starts in November and runs until January.

This show usually repeats throughout the night, every 30 minutes, so you can always catch it on your walk around Brussels. Don't forget your camera to take the best Christmas postcard in the spirit of the season. You can also take advantage of one of the Brussels tours to get to know this marvellous square, although you're sure to pass by it more than once during your trip.

"Plaisirs d'Hiver", in French, is the name given to the city's Christmas festivities. An event with an extensive programme of cultural activities including fairs, open-air concerts, ice-skating rink and much more.

The events and attractions of this Christmas festival in Brussels take place every day from 12 pm to 10 pm. Except for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, when activities only run until 6 p.m.

Many of the festival activities are free of charge, as they are organised by the Brussels City Council. I recommend that you ask at your accommodation for a map and the official programme of the festival so that you don't miss out on anything and know which attractions are free and which ones are free of charge.

On the Grand Place, in addition to the beautiful lights, you will also find a giant Christmas tree, approximately 18 metres high. Every year, the municipality of Dilbeek donates one of its pine trees to the Brussels City Council to decorate the square during the season.

Don't miss the opportunity to have your photo taken here and take home the memory that you were in one of the most beautiful squares in the world. In addition, and in the spirit of sustainability and responsible consumption, the Belgian city plants 10 new pine trees every year.

If you like Christmas movies, such as 'Home Alone', and some of the others we've enjoyed this season, you won't want to miss the chance to skate on an ice rink and get into the Christmas spirit of Brussels, with Christmas carols playing in the background to get you in the mood. Plus, you'll do it with Christmas carols playing in the background to get you in the mood.

This rink is located in Place de la Monnaie (Mint Square), one of the most important squares in the centre of Brussels and where you'll also find the Royal Theatre of the Monnaie and the headquarters of the Belgian National Opera.

Nothing inspires the Christmas spirit more than a Christmas carol choir. In Brussels at this time of year you have the opportunity to attend concerts with choirs that will cheer you up with the most famous carols, such as the traditional 'Silent Night'.

The Brussels Carol Concert is an annual event held at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, where you can enjoy a concert by a children's choir and guest artists. Admission to this event costs approximately €20 for adults and €15 for children under 14. The money raised each year is donated to various charities.

You can also attend the Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity in Brussels, located in the centre of the city, which hosts an annual Christmas carol festival, with the participation of a symphony orchestra.

Beyond the traditional shops, Christmas markets in Europe have their own personality, and browsing through them is a magical experience. In Brussels you have several options to stroll around and buy a gift for your loved ones or have a warm drink while enjoying the lights of the city.

Marché aux Poissons and Place Saint Catherine markets

Perhaps the largest and my favourite for the sheer variety, you'll find plenty of Christmas stalls, plus a merry-go-round to bring out your inner child or, if you're travelling with young children, enjoy some family time. In addition to handicrafts, toys, jewellery and other goodies, you'll also find plenty of food options at the stalls.

Try the best of Belgian cuisine and other international alternatives. I recommend you try the tartiflette, a French dish of potato, onion, bacon, bacon, cream and cheese, which will be perfect to accompany your Christmas tour.

Around the city you will find other Christmas markets, such as the one in the Grand Place, and the one located at the Brussels Stock Exchange. You will also find some local stalls next to the ice rink. In general, during Christmas, Brussels invites you to stroll through its streets, where you won't be able to avoid the temptation to buy something for you and your loved ones.

A perfect plan, whether you're spending Christmas Eve in the city or not. Throughout the month of December, many hotels offer Christmas dinner menus in their restaurants to the general public, as well as musical and entertainment shows for the whole family.

I recommend visiting The Dome, located in Plaza de la Moneda, where some multimedia shows and cartoons are projected for young children. Some hotels such as The Embassy Room Brussels are known for organising Christmas themed parties, where you are guaranteed to have fun.

My recommendation is to check the schedules of hotels, bars and restaurants, because they will surely have something special to celebrate this Christmas season.

A curious and supportive tradition that has crossed borders and has its origins in English-speaking countries. This trend has also conquered Belgium and other countries. Promoted by the Save the Children organisation, this playful activity invites families to wear a woollen jumper with Christmas details, the more colourful the better, on the last Friday before Christmas Eve.

The idea is to invite people to reflect on human values and raise awareness in society in general, especially among children and young people, about the vulnerable situation of other children in the world. Some schools and cultural centres open their doors, with family programming and the possibility to make donations and gifts for communities in need.

As you can see, there are many things to see and do in Brussels. In addition to the purely Christmas activities I have mentioned, during your stay in Brussels you will also be able to do the same activities as the rest of the year. However, if you are going to visit a museum, I recommend that you check on their website to see if they are closed on public holidays.

Guided walking or bus tour of the city

Christmas in Brussels is an eventful time, so you'll have plenty to see and do. If you're travelling as a family, or even on your own, you won't want to miss a thing. I recommend booking a guided tour of the city, which will give you a more organised agenda to explore Christmas Brussels and leave nothing to be seen.

You can do it on foot or take a tourist bus around the city, which will guide you through the must-see places on this Christmas route.

Visit the city's museums

Europe's diplomatic capital has a lot to offer in terms of cultural and artistic agenda. So I recommend that you include in your itinerary a visit to one of Brussels' museums, which are sure to have a special programme for the whole family this season.

Check each museum's agenda and opening hours, which may change during the Christmas season. It will be an ideal plan to explore some of the most important museums in the city, such as the Museum of Medicine or the Museum of Musical Instruments, and enjoy their spaces more quietly, compared to other times of the year, such as summer, when the number of tourists increases.