Everything you need to know about Brussels Christmas market

Every December, the capital city of Belgium transforms into a festive wonderland known as Winter Wonders. With over 200 stalls stretching from the Grand Place to Sainte Catherine and the Bourse, visiting Brussels during the Christmas period is the perfect opportunity to explore the city while soaking up the festive atmosphere.

The wooden huts scattered across the historic centre sell handcrafted gifts, Belgian chocolates, mulled wine, cheese and a variety of seasonal street food. Alongside browsing the markets, you can enjoy incredible views over the city from the Ferris wheel, skate on the ice rink, attend concerts or follow the Christmas light displays as they illuminate the city's historic buildings.

From London, Brussels is one of the easiest cities to reach, with direct trains running daily from St Pancras International. My return ticket cost £80, and the journey took just two hours before I arrived in a completely new country. The area outside Brussels Midi station is not the most appealing, but after about a 30 minute walk, it feels like you have been transported somewhere entirely different.

If you do not feel like walking, there are plenty of transport options available, including trains, the metro, buses and trams, all of which serve the main station and connect easily to the city centre.

To make the most of your visit to the Christmas market, arrive in the late afternoon (around 3pm) so you can experience daylight browsing before the magical evening lights illuminate the cobbled streets.

As the event attracts somewhere between 2.5 and 3 million visitors per year, I would avoid visiting on a weekend and visit during the week if possible as they are generally less crowded and you do not want to be fighting your way through extremely busy crowds.

Belgium can be very cold and wet during the winter months so be prepared with warm and waterproof layers unless you want to walk around like a soggy dog. Also wear comfortable shoes as the hard cobblestone streets will hurt your feet after walking for a long period of time.

Although most stalls accept card, not all do, therefore keep some cash on hand so you are not left disappointed. Another way you could be left disappointed is pickpockets, so keep your valuable secure at all times but especially in crowded areas.

A fulfilling trip to Brussels Christmas market is not complete without seeing the mesmerising sound and light show at Grand Place that takes places every 30 minutes between 17:00 and 22:00 every single day.

The best way to explore Winter Wonders is to start by watching the five minute light show called Echoes of Colors, then follow the green arrows and themed light installations scattered across the city. Wander between the stalls while grabbing a waffle, ornaments, candles and winter accessories from the vendors, before finishing with a ride on the Ferris wheel to take in the Brussels skyline.

Where is the Brussels Christmas Market located?

The market is spread across central Brussels, mainly around Grand-Place, Bourse, Place de la Monnaie, and Place Sainte-Catherine. All areas are within easy walking distance of each other.

The red pins roughly show the location of each different section of the Christmas market and how close each area is to the other. However it is not precise so may slightly differ from the exact location.

How do I get to the market by public transport?

Use Brussels Central, De Brouckère, or Sainte-Catherine metro and tram stops. From there, follow the signs or crowds toward Winter Wonders. Public transport runs frequently, but allow extra time on busy evenings.