It may only be October, but the news that Brussels will get back its Christmas market this year means that seasonal celebrations with Glühwein (mulled wine), various fried foods, and cheese are back on the cards.
Market stalls will once again be set up in the capital's city centre for the annual "Winter Wonders" celebrations, which will return to Brussels after being cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The organisation last week confirmed on Facebook that the festival would run from 26 November 2021 to 2 January 2022.
Brussels councillor for major events, culture and tourism Delphine Houba confirmed that "Winter Wonders", the umbrella name for all festival activities, will take place this year from 26 November 2021 to 2 January 2022, following questions regarding the current epidemiological situation.
"It is very important for the city centre and merchants, but also to increase the attractiveness for tourists," Houba said on Monday evening, according to reports from Belga news agency.
However, the city of Brussels, as well as the organisers, remain in contact with the Brussels region to see what restrictive measures can still be imposed and whether the Covid Safe Ticket, for example, will be used. "It's too early to give any information on that," Houba said.
Aside from the market set up in the centre, smaller, more local Christmas events will take place in the Marolles, Neder-Over-Heembeek, Laeken and the European district.
The 2020 edition of the festival was all but cancelled due to the pandemic, with only the planned festive lighting going ahead. An online web store was also created to allow retailers that should have been at the market to sell their wares.
This article was updated on 19/10/2021 to include more information on the exact dates of the market.
Correction: A previous version of this story said the market would begin on 24 November.
