Things to Do in Belgium in December

December Weather in Belgium

6°C (43°F) High Temp

1°C (34°F) Low Temp

78 mm (3.1 inches) Rainfall

87% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Christmas markets are at their absolute peak - over 250 stalls across Brussels, Bruges, and Ghent offering local crafts, hot chocolate, and seasonal treats from 11am-10pm daily
Hotel rates drop 40-60% after December 15th as business travel ends, making luxury accommodations like converted guild houses affordable (€80-120 vs €200+ in summer)
Minimal tourist crowds at major attractions - Atomium wait times drop from 45 minutes to 5 minutes, and you'll have Gothic cathedrals nearly to yourself for photography
Peak season for Belgian winter specialties - fresh oysters from Zeeland, game meats, and limited-edition winter abbey beers like Westvleteren Christmas edition available in select cafés

Considerations

Daylight lasts only 7.5 hours (sunrise 8:30am, sunset 4:00pm), severely limiting outdoor sightseeing time and making evening photography impossible without artificial lighting
Persistent dampness makes the 1°C (34°F) feel bone-chilling - the 87% humidity creates a raw cold that penetrates wool coats and requires layered thermal clothing
17 rainy days means constant drizzle rather than heavy downpours, creating slick cobblestones that are genuinely hazardous in Bruges' medieval streets and Brussels' Grand Place

Best Activities in December

Christmas Market Crawling

December transforms Belgium's city centers into winter wonderlands. Brussels' Winter Wonders covers 2.5 km (1.6 miles) from Central Station to Sainte-Catherine, while Bruges' market wraps around the Grote Markt with 50+ wooden chalets. The 1°C (34°F) weather makes mulled wine and hot chocolate essential - vendors serve them in ceramic mugs you can keep. Visit weekday afternoons (2pm-6pm) to avoid weekend crowds and get better service from vendors.

Booking Tip: No advance booking needed for market entry, but special experiences like Christmas beer tastings and chocolate workshops typically cost €25-45 and should be reserved 5-7 days ahead. Look for official city tourism office tours that include market history and vendor recommendations.

Historic City Winter Walking Tours

December's bare trees reveal Gothic architecture normally hidden by foliage, making it ideal for photography tours of medieval city centers. The short daylight hours (7.5 hours) actually work in your favor - golden hour lighting lasts longer and creates dramatic shadows on guild houses and cathedrals. Most tours run 10am-2pm to maximize daylight, with indoor stops at churches and museums during the coldest periods.

Booking Tip: Private walking tours cost €120-180 for groups up to 6 people and include indoor warming stops every 45 minutes. Book 10-14 days ahead as December tours fill quickly due to limited daily departure times. Look for guides certified by regional tourism boards who carry group umbrellas.

Abbey and Brewery Experiences

Winter is prime time for Belgian beer culture - abbeys release special Christmas brews only available November-January, and tasting rooms offer cozy refuge from the 17 rainy days. The Flemish Ardennes region has the highest concentration of working abbeys within 30 km (18.6 miles) of each other. Indoor tastings last 2-3 hours and include traditional winter food pairings like carbonade flamande and cheese selections.

Booking Tip: Multi-abbey tours typically cost €65-95 including transportation and tastings, but book 2 weeks ahead as winter schedules are limited. Choose small group tours (max 8 people) for better access to brewmasters and exclusive tastings of limited Christmas editions.

Art Museum and Gallery Tours

December's dreary weather makes it perfect for Belgium's world-class indoor cultural attractions. The Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels and Groeningemuseum in Bruges are virtually empty compared to summer crowds. Special winter exhibitions often run December-February, featuring Flemish masters and contemporary Belgian artists. Museums stay open until 8pm on Thursdays, providing activities during the 4pm sunset.

Booking Tip: Museum passes covering 3-5 major institutions cost €35-50 and include priority entry. Audio guide rentals are €5-8 extra but essential for understanding Flemish art context. Book guided tours 3-5 days ahead as winter tour groups are smaller but fill quickly.

Thermal Spa and Wellness Retreats

The Ardennes region offers natural thermal springs that are particularly appealing during Belgium's raw winter weather. Day spa packages include hot stone treatments, thermal pools, and saunas - perfect for warming up after outdoor sightseeing. Most facilities are 45-90 minutes from major cities by car or train, making them ideal day trips when the 1°C (34°F) temperature becomes overwhelming.

Booking Tip: Full-day spa packages range €89-150 including meals and thermal access. December requires advance booking due to holiday demand, especially on weekends. Look for packages that include transportation from Brussels or Antwerp train stations to avoid driving in winter weather conditions.

Culinary Workshop Experiences

December showcases Belgium's winter cuisine - chocolate making workshops peak during Christmas season, while cooking classes focus on hearty dishes like waterzooi and stoofvlees perfect for cold weather. Professional kitchens provide warm, dry environments for 3-4 hour experiences. Many include market tours to select ingredients, though these are shortened to 30 minutes due to weather conditions.

Booking Tip: Hands-on cooking classes cost €75-125 per person and include meals and recipe cards. Book 1-2 weeks ahead as holiday-themed workshops fill quickly. Choose classes that include wine or beer pairings to enhance the warming experience during cold December days.

December Events & Festivals

Late November through early January

Winter Wonders Brussels

Belgium's largest Christmas market transforms central Brussels into a 2.5 km (1.6 miles) winter wonderland with over 200 chalets, ice skating rink, and 25m (82 ft) Ferris wheel. Features local artisans selling handmade lace, chocolates, and traditional crafts alongside food stalls serving oliebollen and vin chaud.

Late November through early January

Bruges Christmas Market

Medieval setting around Grote Markt and Simon Stevinplein with 50+ wooden chalets selling local crafts and seasonal foods. The frozen canals and Gothic backdrop create postcard-perfect scenes, enhanced by evening light displays reflecting off wet cobblestones.

Mid-December through early January

Ghent Winter Festival

Combines Christmas market with light installations throughout the historic center. Features unique Belgian crafts, local brewery pop-ups, and traditional puppet shows in heated tents. Less touristy than Brussels but equally atmospheric with medieval guild houses as backdrop.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Waterproof boots with non-slip soles - cobblestones become dangerously slick when wet, and you'll walk 5-8 km (3-5 miles) daily on uneven medieval streets

Layered thermal system - base layer, wool sweater, waterproof outer shell to handle 87% humidity and 1°C (34°F) temperatures that penetrate single heavy coats

Compact umbrella with wind resistance - 17 rainy days means constant drizzle, and cheap umbrelars break in North Sea coastal winds

Waterproof phone case or ziplock bags - you'll need GPS constantly in medieval city centers, and light drizzle damages electronics

Wool socks and spare pair - feet get soaked walking on wet cobblestones, and damp feet in 1°C (34°F) weather causes genuine discomfort

Portable phone charger - cold weather drains batteries 30-40% faster, and you'll rely heavily on translation apps and GPS navigation

Small daypack with waterproof cover - for Christmas market purchases, extra layers, and keeping electronics dry during outdoor sightseeing

Hand and foot warmers - available at pharmacies for €3-5 per pack, essential for outdoor Christmas market browsing in sub-freezing temperatures

Thermal gloves that work with touchscreens - you'll need to operate phone GPS constantly while keeping hands warm in 1°C (34°F) weather

Quick-dry travel towel - accommodations may have limited heating, and regular towels won't dry overnight in 87% humidity

Insider Knowledge

Christmas markets close December 24-26 but reopen until January 6th - visit between December 27-30 for dramatically reduced crowds and better vendor interaction while maintaining full festive atmosphere

Train delays increase 40% in December due to weather - always book flexible tickets and add 30 minutes buffer time between cities, especially for afternoon travel when temperatures drop

Belgian locals do their serious Christmas shopping at markets weekday mornings (10am-noon) before tourists arrive - follow their lead for authentic vendor interactions and better product selection

Restaurant reservations become critical after December 15th as locals celebrate office parties and family gatherings - book dinner spots 5-7 days ahead, especially in Bruges where options are limited

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating how early darkness falls - sunset at 4pm means outdoor sightseeing must be completed by 3:30pm, yet tourists consistently plan full-day outdoor itineraries that become impossible

Wearing cotton clothing in 87% humidity - cotton retains moisture and becomes clammy against skin, while synthetic fabrics or wool maintain warmth even when damp from constant drizzle

Assuming Christmas markets are identical - each city has distinct specialties and atmospheres, but tourists often visit just one and miss unique local crafts and regional foods available elsewhere