As Christmas Eve took place on a Sunday this year, shops and services will remain closed on Monday for Christmas Day. While those who celebrated may still be recovering from food comas, most shops will reopen on Tuesday (Boxing Day).
As with other public holidays in the country, public and administration services will not operate on 25 December, and neither will banks. Postal services will also be shut for the day, meaning that there will be no delivery of letters, packages or newspapers.
Belgium's national railway service SNCB, bus services De Lijn and TEC and Brussels public transport company STIB will continue to operate during the bank holiday, but at a reduced Sunday service schedule.
As for groceries, large Carrefour and Delhaize supermarkets will be closed on Christmas Day. Some Carrefour Express shops and Delhaize's smaller Shop'n'Go markets will remain open, but only for reduced weekend hours. Aldi, Lidl and Colruyt will remain mostly closed.
Winter Wonders 2022. Credit: Visit.Brussels
Many shopping malls and retail shops across the country, such as City 2 and Docks Bruxsel, will remain closed today. Most other stores, such as those on the Rue Neuve in Brussels, will also close their doors on Monday. Smaller convenience stores may remain open for the holiday.
Boxing Day, despite being a bank holiday in the United Kingdom, is not celebrated in Belgium. This means that on Tuesday, most supermarkets, shops and other services will operate according to their usual opening hours.
Most pharmacies will remain closed, but for urgent needs and medication, people can contact the pharmacist-on-duty in their municipality.
Amusement parks and zoos across Belgium will generally be open, but many of them with reduced hours.
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The Winter Wonders market in the centre of Brussels will also remain open the entire week between Christmas and New Year – including on Christmas Day.
Police services remain accessible at all times, even on public holidays, though district offices are closed, meaning they are not available for administrative matters. Those needing urgent police assistance should call the emergency number 112.
