Christmas market Winter Wonders Brussels 2024 means no less than five weeks of unadulterated Christmas atmosphere in the Belgian capital! In 2022, Winter Wonders Brussels was voted the best Christmas market in the world by travel website Big 7 Travel. The 24th edition of 2024-2025 also promises to be a unique winter happening in Brussels, ranking among the world’s biggest and best-known Christmas events. See and hear for yourself Winter Wonders Brussels from November 29th, 2024 to January 5th, 2025. We mapped out a 4.5-kilometre (2.8 miles) walk for you, which will take you past all the sights of Christmas market Winter Wonders Brussels 2024.
(Map data: OpenStreetMap)
Start and end point
Brussels-Central railway station, Carrefour de l'Europe, Brussels
Start and end point coordinates
North: 50.845590° East: 4.356859°
Distance
4,5 kilometers (2.8 miles)
Parking
We recommend taking the train to Brussels-Central station. Those who come by car should park at one of the park-and-ride car parks on the outskirts of Brussels (https://parking.brussels/en/park-your-car/parkride) and then take the metro, tram or bus to Brussels-Central station or metro stations Bourse, De Brouckère or Sainte-Catherine
Public transport
By train to Brussels-Central station. Those wishing to start the Christmas walk at another location can continue by metro to metro stations Bourse, De Brouckère or Sainte-Catherine
Wheelchair accessibility
The route is accessible for wheelchair users. To avoid stairs, you need to take a slight diversion in some places.
Attractions
Main attractions and activities of Christmas market Winter Wonders Brussels 2024 at Rue de la Madeleine, Grand Place, Place de la Monnaie, Place De Brouckère, Vismet, Place Sainte-Catherine, Place de la Bourse and Mont des Arts. Several tourist attractions on the route, including Manneken Pis, the Stock Exchange Building, Brussels Town Hall and St Catherine's Church
Eating and drinking
Various food and beverage outlets on the route and at the Christmas market itself
Gpx and pdf files of this Christmas walk along Christmas market Winter Wonders Brussels 2024
Don’t get lost in Brussels! If you want to walk with GPS navigation on mobile phone or walking GPS, you can download the gpx file of this walk below (to be used with navigation app). We also offer two pdf files with a detailed hiking map and with the text and images of this article. You can easily print these pdf files or view them on your mobile phone. For the gpx file and the two pdf files together, we charge a small fee of 1.95 euros. The files are available immediately after online payment.
Christmas market Winter Wonders Brussels 2024: unmissable winter happening in the Belgian capital
From Friday November 29th, 2024 until Sunday January 5th, 2025, everyone is welcome to the Christmas market Winter Wonders Brussels 2024. Winter Wonders 2024 is much more than just a Christmas market: it is a grand winter happening, with spectacular attractions, interesting exhibitions and compelling performances and shows. The guest of honour at this 24th edition of Winter Wonders Brussels is the French department of Le Var.
Winter Fun Brussels 2024 mainly takes place at the Grand Place, Place de la Monnaie, Place de Brouckère, Place du Bourse and Vismet. However, there are also attractions on other squares in Brussels, including Place Sainte-Catherine, Place Fontainas and Mont des Arts. We mapped out an unmissable 4.5-kilometre (2.8 miles) Christmas walk, where you get to see almost all the attractions. The route also passes numerous historical sights, such as Brussels Town Hall and Manneken Pis. Brussels Central Station is the starting and finishing point of this Christmas walk.
From Brussels-Central station to Rue de la Madeleine and Grand Place
This walk along the Winter Wonders Brussels 2024 Christmas market starts at the main exit of Brussels-Central train station. With your back to the main exit of the station, turn left and follow the street Boulevard de l’Emperatrice on the right side. Cross the street Rue de l’Infante Isabelle and go straight ahead to Place de l’Albertine, which forms a semi-circle. Follow the edge of Place de l’Albertine and walk into the first street on your right, Rue de la Madeleine.
On Rue de la Madeleine, the first chalets of the Winter Wonders Brussels 2024 Christmas market are set up. You will find a wide range of products from shops in the street and from the neighbouring Bortier shopping gallery, as well as Ukrainian specialities. The 19th-century Bortier shopping gallery is located in Rue de la Madeleine and has recently been renovated. It is worth taking a walk around this cosy mall. You will find a literary café and an Indian restaurant, among other shops.
Further on, you pass St Mary Magdalene Church on the right. If the door is open, take a look inside. This small church dates from the 15th century and is built in the Brabant Gothic style. The smaller Saint Anne’s Chapel is built against the western facade.
Walk straight ahead to the beautifully decorated square Marché aux Herbes, which also has several stalls. Follow straight ahead down Rue du Marché aux Herbes. On your right, you will pass the indoor shopping gallery Galerie de la Reine (Queen’s Gallery). Be sure to take a look, as this gallery is beautifully decorated during the Christmas period. Past the Queen’s Gallery, turn into the first street on your left, Rue de la Colline. Walk on to the Grand Place.
The Grand Place during Christmas market Winter Wonders Brussels 2024
The Grand Place is without doubt one of the top attractions of Brussels and of Winter Wonders 2024. Admire the 15th-century town hall and the 17th-century guild houses. The town hall and guild houses form the backdrop for the spectacular sound and light show ‘Echoes of Colors’, a video mapping show in which colours take centre stage.
This year, the colossal Christmas tree on the Grand Place comes from the garden of a private house in Rixensart. It is a 20-metre-high Nordmann fir. Some decorations from the Christmas tree were signed by famous Belgians and are being auctioned off. The proceeds will go to the Make-A-Wish association, which works to fulfil the dreams and wishes of sick children. As chocolate brand Côte d’Or supports this charity, all decorations are in the shape of an elephant. Also, don’t forget to admire the large nativity scene.
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An interactive multimedia installation telling the story of the Italian ballerina Lucia is located in the town hall courtyard. It is also possible to take a guided tour of Brussels City Hall and/or climb its tower. From the tower, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Grand Place and the city of Brussels. For this ‘View Tower Experience’, you do have to climb a spiral staircase with 200 steps first, so a reasonable physical condition is a requirement. Please note: advance booking is required for both the guided tour of City Hall and the tower climb!
Christmas market Winter Wonders Brussels 2024 at the Stock Exchange Building and Place de la Monnaie
This walk along Christmas market Winter Wonders Brussels 2024 continues along the street Rue de la Beurre, which runs from the northwest corner of the Grand Place to the back of the Stock Exchange Building. The 19th-century Stock Exchange Building has not been hosting fair transactions since 2015. In 2022 – 2023, the building was renovated. Today, it serves as a public space, housing the Belgian Beer World exhibition, the Bruxella 1238 museum, a rooftop terrace with the Skybar and a restaurant, among others. Be sure to walk in to admire the interior!
At the back and side of the Stock Exchange Building, you will find plenty of Christmas stalls offering all kinds of souvenirs. We will visit the front of the Stock Exchange Building and the square Place de la Bourse later, but first turn right onto the street Rue de Tabora and the street Rue des Fripiers towards the square Place de la Monnaie. At the corner of Rue de la Beurre and Rue de Tabora, you pass the Saint Nicholas Church on your right, which dates from the 12th century and houses numerous religious works of art. In Rue des Fripiers, also take a moment to admire the fantastically lit and decorated façade of the Drug Opera restaurant.
Walk straight ahead to the square Place de la Monnaie, the square in front of the Royal Mint Theatre. Place de la Monnaie has been transformed into a veritable après-ski village for Winter Wonders 2024. You will find Bar d’Altitude, offering typical mountain dishes and drinks. In addition, you can buy delicious sweets in an attractively decorated chalet.
Square Place De Brouckère: ice skating, curling and Christmas market
Walk past Place de la Monnaie and turn left onto the street Rue du Fossé-aux-Loups. At the end of this, square Place de Brouckère is on your right. The large indoor skating rink immediately catches your eye. Next to the skating rink are also three curling rinks. Place de Brouckère and the connecting street Boulevard Anspach are also full of chalets where you can buy Christmas decorations, craft products and delicious food or drinks, among other things.
Fun for the youngest visitors: on Place de Brouckère square, there is the children’s carousel ‘Santa’s Reindeer’ with colourful gondolas resembling Santa’s sleigh. You will also find the Virtual Reality pavilion ‘Dream Space’.
Culture at the Black Tower during Winter Wonders Brussels 2024
From Place de Brouckère, this Christmas walk along Brussels Winter Wonders continues to the Black Tower. With your back turned to Place de Brouckère, follow Boulevard Anspach and turn right at the first crossroads onto Rue de l’Évêque. This brings you to Place St Catherine behind the Church of St Catherine, with the Black Tower on the left, which is a remnant of the first city wall around Brussels. Near the tower, Winter Vox goes on at weekends. Groups perform recitals of carols, gospel, religious singing, pop and contemporary music on a stage. In Santa’s Atelier, activities for children continue every Wednesday afternoon. Stroll on past the back of St Catherine’s Church to the square Vismet.
Vismet square: focal point of the Winter Wonders Brussels 2024 Christmas market
The largest number of Christmas stalls at the Winter Wonder Brussels 2024 Christmas market is on the square Vismet. The offer at the Christmas stalls is large and diverse: craft products, jewellery, food and drink, Christmas balls fishing for young children and so on. The eye-catcher of Vismet is undoubtedly the Ferris wheel: 55 metres high with 42 booths, one of which is equipped for people with reduced mobility.
Apart from the Ferris wheel and dozens of Christmas stalls, you will find several more attractions on Vismet. Belgian beer lovers can visit the Stella pavilion. If you prefer champagne, you can go to the Bar à Champagne.
After your visit to the Vismet square, walk to the square Place Sainte-Catherine in front of St Catherine’s Church. Recently renovated, this church is beautifully lit up in the evening. If the doors are still open, be sure to take a look inside the church with its nativity scene. There are still plenty of Christmas stalls on Place Sainte-Catherine, as well as the classic ‘Carousel of Andrea’. This carousel is equipped with all kinds of fantastic figures, completely handmade.
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Continuing to Place de la Bourse and Place Fontainas
The Christmas walk along Christmas market Winter Wonders Brussels 2024 continues to the square Place de la Bourse at the front of the Stock Exchange Building. With your back to the front of St Catherine’s Church, turn left onto the street Rue St Catherine. At the next major intersection, turn right into the street Rue des Poissonniers. Then turn left again into Rue Auguste Orts, where you will see the front of the Stock Exchange Building right in front of you. At the end of Rue Auguste Orts, you will see several Christmas stalls from the French region of Le Var, guest of honour at Winter Wonders Brussels 2024.
Dozens of chalets from the Winter Wonders Christmas market are already set up on the square Place de la Bourse, where you can buy utensils as well as food and drink. Here you get one last chance to find an original Christmas gift! With the Stock Exchange Building right in front of you, turn right into the street Boulevard Anspach. Follow this beautifully decorated avenue for about 360 metres (394 yards), until you reach the square Place Fontainas.
New at Winter Wonders Brussels 2024: Christmas atmosphere on Place Fontainas
For the 24th edition of the Christmas market Winter Wonders Brussels, the organisers will deck out a real polar village on the square Place Fontainas. Luminous 3D structures represent animals from areas above the Arctic Circle. Place Fontainas will thus be transformed into the wonderful biotope of polar animals in a world of snow and ice, emphasising the beauty of the polar regions.
Walking Winter Wonders 2024 past Manneken Pis
With the sqaure Place Fontainas just ahead, turn left and then take the first left again: Rue du Marché au Charbon. Follow the street Rue du Marché au Charbon to the second street on the right, Rue des Grands Carmes. Walk straight down Rue des Grands Carmes and cross the intersection with the wide street Rue du Midi. Continue straight on for another 70 metres (77 yards) to the intersection with Rue de l’Étuve. There you will come face to face with Brussels’ most famous resident: Manneken Pis.
On the corner of the streets Rue de l’Étuve and Rue du Chêne you will find the statue of the naked urinating boy, which has become a symbol of Brussels and of Belgium. ‘Manneken Pis‘ is a name in Flemish dialect, meaning ‘Little peeing boy‘. By the way, Manneken Pis is not always naked, as he gets to wear a fancy costume on special occasions. Take a stroll down Rue du Chêne, where you will pass the GardeRobe MannekenPis museum at number 19.
The museum exhibits a unique collection of costumes worn by Manneken Pis over the years. Go straight ahead to the street Place de la Vieille Halle aux Blés. At a little square in the street, you will pass the statue of Jacques Brel, a famous Belgian singer.
Winter Wonders Brussels 2024 at Mont des Arts
The last part of this walk along the Christmas market Winter Wonders Brussels 2024 will take you to Mont des Arts, a Brussels neighbourhood with parks and museums. Continue through the street Place de la Vieille Halle aux Blés until you reach the square Place Saint-Jean, with the statue of Gabrielle Petit, a well-known resistance fighter from World War I. Also notice the illuminated letters ‘B.X.L’ (from ‘Bruxelles’) at the edge of the square. Take an oblique right onto Rue Saint-Jean as far as the square Place de l’Albertine. Cross the busy street Cantersteen to reach Mont des Arts.
The 24th edition of Winter Wonders in Brussels will feature a new attraction here, next to the statue of King Albert I: the Echinoderm. This eye-catcher on Mont des Arts resembles a prickly plant, inspired by the cactus species echinocactus. The attraction unfolds glistening ‘leaves’ up to 11 metres (36 feet) high, becoming a dreamy ‘tree’ whose luminous ‘fruits’ move with the wind. Via Cantersteen street, Rue de l’Infante Isabelle (first street on the left) and Boulevard de l’Impératrice (first street on the right), you reach Brussels-Central station again, the starting and finishing point of this walk along the Winter Wonders Brussels 2024 Christmas market.
Christmas market Winter Wonders Brussels 2024: period, locations, opening hours and additional info
- Period: from Friday November 29th, 2024 to Sunday January 5th, 2025
- Locations: at various places in Brussels, mainly at the Grand Place, Place de la Bourse, Place de la Monnaie, Place de Brouckère, Vismet, Place Sainte-Catherine, Place Fontainas and Mont des Arts
- Opening hours: every day from 12 a.m. to 10 p.m., except on 24/12, 31/12 and 05/01: from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. (no sound and light show on the Grand Place on these days!)
- Additional info: more information can be found on the website of the event
