Brussels never really was on our radar. Tickets for not much more than 40 euro and information about Christmas Market made us spent windy December weekend in capitol of European Union. If you are curious about Christmas Market in Brussels continue with our relation down below.
Christmas Market in Brussels known as Winter Wonders
Our attitude was quite easy going when travelling to Brussels, our plan wasn’t really tight or even fully prepared. Our main goal was to get the feel of Winter Wonders or Winter Pret which simply is a Christmas Market. How it turned out Christmas Market in Brussels it’s not really one place but spread across different streets and squares. We were completely convinced Market has to be on main square (Grand Place) and that’s where we headed first.
You can imagine our disappointment when the only thing we encountered was hundreds of people, Christmas tree and Christmas shed… and no stalls. Actually the only thing connected to Winter Wonders is a light show. Let us tell you – you can’t miss that one! Lights with amazing sound system are amazing and will give you shivers! On top of that main square looks lavish during night and it would be huge loss not to experience it.
Place de Brouckère
We started to worry a little and google search got into red from us frantically looking for some info. We decided to direct towards Place de Brouckere and how happy we were to find some stalls and market. There was no ferries wheel which didn’t seem right but hey we got something finally. On Place de Brouckere there is ice skating ring and on Saturday evening it was super crowded. Happy we’ve reached our destination we got ourselves mulled wine with rum (not first one this night) and started to look for some food.
We started with plate of French Tartiflette – sliced potato with camembert (in French Alps rather Raclette) white wine and speck. Cruising around different stalls we were approached by a group of Belgians which enlightened us we’re not actually on the main market place. By the way Belgians turned to be really nice and approachable nation we don’t think ever been approached by so many strangers in such a short period of time.
We’ve realized quickly we were few steps form it couple of hours before but instead of turning left on Saint Catherine’s square we went right! Jauntily we rushed towards Place de la Bourse thru Saint Catherine’s square and Marché aux Poissons where the main Christmas Market in Brussels is located. You can find endless stalls there with lots of food and Ferris wheel. There is lots of beautiful lights and you can spend several hours there (it was super crowded when we visited over weekend).
The main part of the Christmas Market in Brussels
On Sunday we basically did the same route as day before just earlier to do photos in different light. Our favorite was Saint Catherine’s square with only a few stalls but interesting food, the best mulled wine, carousel and beautiful church.
The whole Christmas Market in Brussels offers wide range of different food. French, African, Asian the choice is endless. The only complain would be small assortment of Belgian food but we got a chance to put hands on bun with local white sausage. Almost every stall has its own mulled wine station. Winter Wonders deal with excess of rubbish quite well for example you pay 1 euro deposit for plastic cup for mulled wine, can use it as long as wish and then return. We got ourselves ceramic cups on Sunday which are our souvenir as well. There is also plentiful of handicraft stalls (still more with food which makes us super happy ;D).
Christmas Market in Brusells is open from 29th of November until 5th of January. Operates between 12-10pm except Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve when open until 6pm. More you can find here.
Some examples of prices:
- Deposit for mulled wine plastic cup – 1 euro
- Mulled wine – 2.5-4 euro, extra shot of rum, amaretto etc 1-2 euro
- Tartiflette – 8 euro
- Red/White wine glass – 3 euro
- Champagne glass – 8 euro
- Sparkling wine glass – 6.5 euro
- Oysters -1.8-2.3 euro each
- Snails Burgundy style – 10 euro
- Baby octopus – 7 euro small portion, 10 euro large portion
- Mussels – 7-10 euro (large dish in restaurant is 20-28 euro)
- Calamari – 7-10 euro
- Homemade jam – 5-7 euro