Things to Do in Belgium in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in Belgium
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Christmas markets transform every major city square into something genuinely atmospheric - Bruges, Brussels, and Ghent all run markets from late November through early January, with wooden chalets selling hot wine, waffles, and actual handmade crafts (not just tourist junk). The Brussels Grand Place market is particularly stunning when the gothic guild houses are lit up.
- Fewer crowds at major attractions means you can actually see the Ghent Altarpiece or Rubens paintings without being elbowed by tour groups. Museums like the Magritte in Brussels or MSK in Ghent are noticeably quieter, and restaurant reservations are easier to snag.
- Hotel prices drop 30-40% compared to summer rates outside the Christmas market weeks (roughly December 6-23). A room that costs 180 euros in July might run 110-130 euros in early December, and you'll have better selection at boutique properties.
- Winter food season is genuinely excellent - this is when Belgians eat stoofvlees (beef stew with beer), waterzooi (creamy chicken or fish stew), and game meats like wild boar and venison. The beer culture makes more sense when it's actually cold outside and a Quadrupel feels appropriate rather than oppressive.
Considerations
- Daylight runs roughly 8:30am to 4:45pm, which means you're doing most activities in gray light or darkness. If you're jet-lagged from North America, you might wake up at 5am to pitch-black streets and feel the day ending just as you're getting started.
- The dampness is more penetrating than the temperature suggests - 4°C (39°F) with 88% humidity and wind off the North Sea feels significantly colder than a dry 0°C (32°F) day. You'll see locals in serious winter coats while the thermometer reads what seems like mild temperatures.
- Rain isn't dramatic downpours but persistent drizzle that lasts hours or all day - those 18 rainy days mean you're looking at wet conditions roughly 60% of the month. An umbrella helps less than you'd think because the rain tends to blow sideways.
Best Activities in December
Christmas Market Circuit in Historic City Centers
December is literally the only time these markets operate, running roughly November 25 through January 2 in most cities. The Bruges market spreads across Markt and Simon Stevinplein with ice skating and a light show. Brussels' market at Grand Place is the most famous but also the most crowded during weekends - go on weekday afternoons around 3pm when cruise groups have left. Ghent's market at Sint-Baafsplein is smaller but less touristy. Markets typically open 11am-10pm daily. Expect to spend 15-25 euros per person on food and drinks if you're sampling properly.
Museum and Gallery Days in Major Cities
December weather actually makes this the ideal month for Belgium's incredible art collections. The Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels (which includes the Magritte Museum) are genuinely world-class and far less crowded than summer. MSK Ghent has the Ghent Altarpiece in climate-controlled perfection. The diamond museums in Antwerp make sense when you don't want to be outside. Most museums open 10am-5pm Tuesday through Sunday. Budget 12-15 euros per major museum, though many offer combination tickets.
Beer Abbey and Brewery Tours in Flemish Countryside
Winter is actually when beer tourism makes the most sense - visiting Westvleteren, Orval, or the Trappist breweries feels right when it's cold and gray outside. Many smaller breweries offer weekend tours in December with less crowding than summer. The Halve Maan brewery in Bruges runs tours every hour 11am-4pm daily (15 euros including beer). Visiting actual abbey breweries like Westmalle or Achel means tasting beer in the monastery cafe where monks actually brewed it. December also sees special Christmas beer releases from most major breweries.
Chocolate Workshop and Tasting Experiences
December is peak chocolate season in Belgium - shops are fully stocked for Christmas, and many chocolatiers offer workshop classes where you make pralines yourself. These run 1.5-2.5 hours and teach you why Belgian chocolate actually is different (it's the grinding process and cocoa butter content). Workshops typically cost 45-75 euros per person and include 200-300 grams of chocolate to take home. The warming shops are genuinely pleasant when it's miserable outside.
Thermal Spa Days in Ardennes Region
The Ardennes region south of Liège has several thermal spa complexes that are genuinely popular with Belgians in winter. Thermes de Spa is the most famous (the town literally gave its name to spas worldwide), with indoor and outdoor thermal pools at 33-36°C (91-97°F). Lying in hot water while snow falls around you is pretty excellent. Full-day passes run 35-50 euros. The towns of Spa, Chaudfontaine, and Durbuy all have spa facilities. This is about 90 minutes by train from Brussels.
Medieval Town Walking Tours with Indoor Breaks
Bruges, Ghent, and Mechelen are genuinely stunning in winter when lit up for Christmas, but you need a strategy for the cold. Plan walking routes with cafe breaks every 45-60 minutes - Belgian cafe culture exists specifically for this. A walking tour of Bruges' medieval center takes 2-3 hours including the Belfry climb (366 steps, 12 euros). Ghent's castle and cathedral circuit takes about 4 hours with breaks. The advantage in December is that summer's cruise ship crowds are gone and you can actually photograph the canals without people in every shot.
December Events & Festivals
Saint Nicholas Day Celebrations
December 6 is when Belgian children traditionally receive gifts (not December 25), and you'll see Saint Nicholas parades in most cities on the weekend before December 6. The Brussels parade is large but the Bruges and Antwerp versions are more charming. Bakeries sell speculoos cookies and chocolate Saint Nicholas figures throughout early December. This is genuinely a local tradition, not a tourist event, which makes it more interesting to witness.
New Year's Eve Celebrations in Brussels
Brussels does a large street party centered on Place de Brouckère with stages, DJs, and fireworks at midnight. It's free and draws 50,000-70,000 people. The event runs roughly 8pm to 1am. Bruges and Ghent have smaller celebrations in their main squares. Worth noting that Belgian New Year's tends to be less intense than major capitals like London or Berlin - it's more family-friendly than a massive drunken party.