Things to Do in Belgium in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Belgium
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Carnival season transforms cities into massive street parties - Binche's UNESCO-recognized carnival runs February 23-25, 2026, with Gilles dancers throwing oranges into crowds. Aalst and Malmedy host equally wild celebrations with satirical floats and brass bands marching through beer-soaked streets
- Museum crowds drop by 60-70% compared to summer months. You'll actually have space to examine Rubens paintings at Antwerp's KMSKA or stand alone in front of the Ghent Altarpiece without tour groups breathing down your neck. The Royal Museums in Brussels feel genuinely peaceful on weekday mornings
- Hotel prices hit their annual low outside carnival weekends - expect to pay 30-40% less than peak summer rates. Brussels hotels that charge €200 in July drop to €120-140 in early February. Book carnival cities like Binche at least 8 weeks ahead though, as accommodation gets scarce
- Belgian comfort food makes perfect sense in this weather. February is prime time for waterzooi stews, stoofvlees braised for hours, and grey shrimp croquettes in cozy brown cafes with steamed-up windows. The food tastes better when it's actually cold outside
Considerations
- The weather is genuinely miserable for outdoor sightseeing - that 85% humidity combines with temperatures just above freezing to create a bone-penetrating dampness. Rain falls as persistent drizzle rather than dramatic downpours, meaning you're just constantly damp for 18 days of the month
- Daylight runs roughly 8:15am to 5:45pm, giving you limited window for outdoor photography and sightseeing. The light tends to be flat grey most days, which doesn't do justice to the medieval architecture. Sunset happens before most people finish work
- Many coastal attractions and smaller regional sites operate on reduced winter hours or close entirely. Seaside towns like De Panne and Knokke feel genuinely dead outside weekends. Some castle gardens and outdoor attractions don't open until March
Best Activities in February
Brussels Museum Circuit
February weather actually makes this the ideal month for Brussels' museum quarter. The Royal Museums complex, Magritte Museum, and BELvue Museum are connected by short walks you can handle in the cold. Weekday mornings see minimal crowds - you might have entire galleries to yourself. The Art & History Museum in Cinquantenaire Park is massively undervisited and perfect for a grey afternoon. Most museums stay open until 5pm, maximizing your limited daylight hours.
Bruges Walking Tours and Canal Views
Bruges in February is either magical or miserable depending on your cold tolerance, but the tourist-to-local ratio finally feels reasonable. The medieval center looks atmospheric in the mist, and you can actually get canal-side photos without 50 people in the frame. The Belfry climb is less crowded, though that wind at the top hits differently in February. Indoor portions of tours through the Basilica of the Holy Blood and Groeningemuseum provide warm-up breaks.
Ghent's Heated Terraces and Art Scene
Ghent handles winter better than other Belgian cities because locals actually embrace the cold. Heated terrace culture means you can still sit outside along Graslei canal with a Duvel under heat lamps and blankets. The city's art museums - MSK and STAM particularly - are world-class but chronically undervisited. Saint Bavo's Cathedral with the Ghent Altarpiece maintains steady but manageable visitor flow in February. The student population keeps bars and cafes lively even midweek.
Ardennes Forest Hiking and Castle Visits
The Ardennes in February requires proper gear but offers something most tourists never see - the forests without leaves, revealing castle ruins and rock formations hidden in summer. Trails around Durbuy, Bouillon, and La Roche-en-Ardenne get muddy but stay accessible. The cold keeps crowds away from Château de Bouillon and other medieval fortresses. After hiking, the region's game restaurants serve wild boar and venison that actually taste appropriate for the season. Just be prepared for temperatures dropping to -2°C to 3°C (28-37°F) in the hills.
Antwerp Fashion District and Diamond Quarter
Antwerp's indoor shopping culture makes it ideal for February when outdoor sightseeing loses appeal. The fashion district around Nationalestraat showcases Belgian designers in heated boutiques. The Diamond District offers free museum entry and workshop tours showing stone cutting. The newly renovated KMSKA art museum deserves 3-4 hours and stays comfortably heated. MAS Museum provides city views from its rooftop - the grey weather actually creates moody photography opportunities.
Belgian Beer Cafe Culture and Brewery Tours
February is arguably the best month to understand Belgian beer culture because you're drinking like locals do - heavy dark ales and Trappist beers in warm brown cafes while rain hammers the windows outside. Brewery tours at Cantillon in Brussels, De Halve Maan in Bruges, or Duvel Moortgat near Antwerp run year-round with smaller groups in winter. The beer actually tastes better at proper cellar temperature rather than summer warmth. Traditional cafes like Delirium Village or Moeder Lambic attract more locals than tourists in February.
February Events & Festivals
Carnival of Binche
UNESCO-recognized carnival running February 23-25, 2026, with the main parade on Shrove Tuesday. The Gilles - dancers in elaborate costumes with ostrich feather hats - throw oranges into crowds for good luck. This is the real deal, not a tourist show. Arrive early morning on Tuesday for best viewing positions. The town essentially shuts down for three days of street parties, brass bands, and beer consumption that would alarm most health officials. Temperatures will be around 3-5°C (37-41°F) so dress in layers you can move in.
Aalst Carnival
Runs the same weekend as Binche but with a more satirical, politically incorrect edge. Massive floats mock current events and public figures with zero filter. The Sunday parade is the main event, followed by two more days of street parties. Significantly larger and rowdier than Binche - expect crowds of 100,000+ and serious beer consumption. Not recommended for families with young children due to adult themes.
Brussels Antiques Fair at Tour & Taxis
Major European antiques fair typically held late February at the renovated Tour & Taxis warehouse complex. Over 100 dealers selling everything from Art Nouveau furniture to vintage jewelry. Entry costs around €15-20. Perfect indoor activity for a miserable weather day, and the warehouse venue stays properly heated. Runs Friday through Sunday with best selection on opening day.