Things to Do in Belgium in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
January Weather in Belgium
Is January Right for You?
Advantages
- Authentic winter atmosphere with Christmas markets extending into early January and cozy café culture at its peak - Belgians embrace hygge-style living
- Lowest accommodation prices of the year (30-50% cheaper than summer) with excellent availability at boutique hotels in prime locations
- Peak season for Belgian comfort foods - carbonnade flamande, stoofvlees, and winter beer releases from Trappist monasteries
- Minimal tourist crowds mean you'll have medieval city centers mostly to yourself, plus locals are more willing to engage in conversation
Considerations
- Daylight lasts only 8 hours (sunrise 8:30am, sunset 4:30pm) severely limiting sightseeing time and outdoor photography
- Persistent drizzle and bone-deep cold make walking tours miserable - you'll spend 60% of time seeking indoor shelter
- Many seasonal attractions close entirely (castle gardens, outdoor markets, canal boat tours) reducing available activities by 40%
Best Activities in January
Belgian Beer Monastery and Brewery Tours
January is perfect for exploring Belgium's legendary beer culture when Trappist monasteries release their winter brews and local breweries offer warming tastings. The cold weather makes heated tasting rooms incredibly appealing, and you'll avoid summer tourist hordes at famous breweries. Many offer January-specific seasonal beers unavailable other months.
Art Museum and Gallery Tours
Belgium's world-class museums are perfect January refuges, with extended winter hours and special exhibitions. The Royal Museums of Fine Arts, Magritte Museum, and Flemish Primitives collections offer hours of climate-controlled exploration. January often features rotating exhibitions from private collections not shown in summer.
Medieval Castle and Fortress Tours
While castle grounds may be muddy, the interiors are heated and atmospheric in January. Gravensteen in Ghent, Château de Bouillon, and Brussels' Royal Palace offer fascinating historical tours. The bare winter landscapes actually enhance the medieval fortress atmosphere, and you'll have near-private access.
Traditional Belgian Cooking Classes
January is peak season for learning Belgian comfort food - perfect timing for chocolate making, waffle preparation, and traditional stews. Indoor cooking classes offer 3-4 hours of warmth while learning techniques for carbonnade flamande and authentic praline making. Many feature wine pairings with Belgian vintages.
Underground Cave and Grotto Explorations
Belgium's extensive cave systems maintain consistent 10°C (50°F) temperatures year-round, making January visits comfortable when outdoor temperatures drop. Han-sur-Lesse caves and Remouchamps grottos offer spectacular underground tours lasting 60-90 minutes with professional lighting and guided explanations.
Historic City Walking Tours with Indoor Stops
January walking tours focus on indoor locations - guild houses, covered markets, heated churches, and traditional pubs. Expert guides time routes between warm indoor stops every 15-20 minutes. These tours often include stories about Belgian winter traditions and seasonal foods unavailable in warmer months.
January Events & Festivals
Plaisirs d'Hiver Winter Festival Brussels
Brussels' premier winter festival continues through early January with ice skating rinks, winter chalets, and seasonal food markets around Grand Place. Features local artisan vendors, mulled wine stands, and traditional Belgian winter entertainment including puppet shows and folk music performances.
Three Kings Day Celebrations
January 6th brings traditional Epiphany celebrations across Belgium with special galette des rois (king cake) tastings in bakeries, parades in major cities, and extended holiday markets. Many churches hold special concerts and traditional blessing ceremonies.