Fun Things To Do In Belgium In Winter. Belgian Christmas markets, delectable food, lovely decorations, and magnificent cities just are a few of the many reasons for visiting Belgium in the winter!

This tiny nation in Western Europe may not be as well-known for winter tourism as nearby destinations such as Germany and France, but visiting Belgium in winter—especially at Christmas—is sure to delight.

Here are the Fun Things To Do In Belgium In Winter in Belgium you should know before you go!

Take a trip to The Belgian Comic Strip Centre

The Belgian Comic Strip Centre is one of the best things to do in Brussels.  You might not realize it, but comic books are extremely popular in Belgium.  Belgian authors as well as illustrators have created so many beautiful stories and characters.  For example, Hergé, a Belgian cartoonist, created the iconic Tintin.

One of the Fun Things To Do In Belgium In Winter is to visit the Belgian Comic Strip Centre. Check out the galleries on the numerous histories of comics as well as those highlighting various notable figures in the industry.

Come to the Belgian Comic Strip Centre if you’re searching for rewarding activities in Brussels.

It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Admission begins at €8.

Visit Belgium’s Christmas markets

Without a doubt, the best time to visit Belgium during the winter is from late November (in some cities) to December, when you can enjoy the beautiful Christmas markets!

Belgium Christmas markets are a delight, from the picturesque Christmas markets of Bruges to the Winter Wonders event in Brussels.

To be honest, Belgium’s Christmas markets don’t quite match (in our opinion) those of Alsace in Northern France or those of nearby Germany—expect less immersive decor, for starters—but they are truly stunning and add an amazingly festive cheer to Belgium’s cities and towns.

If you’re looking for the best winter attractions and Fun Things To Do In Belgium In Winter, the Christmas markets should be at the top of your list.

Try some Belgian hot chocolate

Belgium is famous for its chocolate, so it’s no shock that Belgian hot chocolate is a popular winter treat!
When exploring outdoors becomes too cold, retreat to a cozy cafe for a debauched Belgian hot chocolate.

Dress warmly for a canal cruise

A canal cruise in Bruges is one of the best things to do in Belgium all year, and the cold weather is no excuse to miss out!

Not going to Bruges on your holiday trip to Belgium?

A canal cruise in Ghent will also provide you with breathtaking views that you will not soon forget.

Admire the winter beauty of Bruges

There are many lovely places to visit in Belgium, but there’s a reason Bruges is one of the most popular! There is nowhere quite like Bruges, with its maze of canals, incredible architecture, interesting history, and a long list of things to do!

And, while Bruges is notorious for being extremely crowded with tourists, going to visit Belgium in the winter is a wonderful way to avoid the worst of the crowds while still experiencing the beauty of Bruges at its best.

Enjoy Grand Place’s Christmas decorations (Grote Markt)

The Grand Place (also recognized as Grote Markt) in Brussels is always a visually appealing destination.

It truly is one of Europe’s most beautiful main squares!

But when you add a life-size manger scene, a massive Christmas tree, and plenty of other Christmas decorations, it’s safe to say that the square shines brightest during the holiday season.

Warm up by attending a Belgian chocolate session

Looking for something entertaining to do indoors while exploring Belgium in the winter?

This famous chocolate workshop will get you warmed up and sugared up!

You will not only learn how to make Belgian chocolate but you will also be served hot chocolate and will leave with a package of homemade chocolate.

Consume soup!

In general, Belgium is not the most affordable destination in Europe but there are still many Fun Things To Do In Belgium.

But what about a fantastic way to save a few pennies? Soup!

No matter which Belgian city you visit, you’re likely not far from a simple soup restaurant in which you can order a bowl of soup with crackers as well as bread, as well as occasionally cheese and fruit, for under 10 Euro (often around 5).

We were definitely on a budget on our first trip to Belgium in the winter, so we took advantage of soup restaurants.

Even when we returned a few years later with more money, we ended up eating soup almost every day!

Saint Nicholas Day is observed (Sinterklaas)

In Belgium, children do not count down the days till Santa Claus arrives on December 25.

Instead, they observe Saint Nicholas Day and Saint Nicholas’ Eve (December 6). (December 4). While Santa and Sinterklaas are not the same, they share many traditions, such as children getting gifts and Saint Nicholas wearing a large white beard and red clothes.

If your winter trip to Belgium coincides with December 5-6, check to see if any Sinterklaas traditions are taking place near you.

Take in the Christmas lights in Belgium

When you combine Belgium’s magnificent architecture with large numbers of Christmas lights, what do you get?

It’s pure magic.

One of the fun things to do in Belgium in winter is to take long, slow walks thru city streets just to admire the lights!
See if you can find Mannekin Pis decked out for the holidays.

I don’t understand the fascination with this Brussels statue of a little boy urinating (there’s also a corresponding little girl as well as a dog in the city). Still, he’s incredibly popular and well-known for his many outfits—Christmas outfits included!

He wasn’t wearing one when we came to visit in mid-December 2019, but if you’re looking for a strange photo op, it’s worth traveling by Mannekin Pis to see what wearing (if anything) when you’re exploring Brussels on foot.

Here is the list of the Fun Things To Do In Belgium In Winter we would kine to share with you! Hope you like it!