Plaisirs d'Hiver, more than 200 stalls between the Grand-Place and De Brouckère.

Plaisirs d'Hiver is the Brussels Christmas market and it spreads across the pedestrian centre: not a single square, but a trail of stalls between the Grand-Place and Place De Brouckère.

What it is and what you see

According to the published information, in 2026 it brings together more than 200 stalls spread across the Grand-Place, Place de la Monnaie, the Bourse, Place Sainte-Catherine, the Marché aux Poissons and Place De Brouckère. There is also an ice rink with curling lanes, a Ferris wheel, a big tree and a light and sound show on the Grand-Place. The novelty for 2026 is a Basque-Béarnais village on Place de la Bourse. The prices for the rink and the wheel are separate; walking around the squares and the stalls costs nothing.

When

From Friday 27 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, every day from 12:00 to 22:00. On 24 and 31 December it closes at 18:00. The detailed programme is announced in November at plaisirsdhiver.be; confirm it before you go if you are after a particular show.

Getting there

Bruxelles-Central station is about ten minutes' walk from the Grand-Place. The centre is pedestrianised; if you come by car, use the car parks at the Grand-Place, Écuyer or De Brouckère, or the park-and-ride sites at the metro terminals. From Brussels you can easily make a day trip to Bruges or Ghent on another day, but the Brussels market deserves an afternoon and the evening.

What to eat and drink

You will find the Belgian market classics, from waffles to mulled wine, and the Grand-Place surrounded by breweries. To drink a good beer without so many people, go to Cantillon, which is not on the market trail.