The 23rd edition of Brussels' Winter Wonders (Plaisirs d'Hiver in French, Winterpret in Dutch) begins today, with a large Christmas market, food and drinks stalls and a host of different activities taking over the Belgian capital.
Winter Wonders – named the best Christmas market in the world last year – will light up several squares and streets in the city centre from Grand Place and Place de la Monnaie to Sainte-Catherine and De Brouckère.
"Winter Wonders is always a special moment for the centre of Brussels," City of Brussels Mayor Philippe Close said during a press conference. "Time and again, the decorations and the stalls light up the heart of the capital with cosiness and its colourful, enchanting atmosphere."
Winter Wonders 2022. Credit: Visit.Brussels
On 16 November, the large Christmas tree arrived at the Grand Place, where it is the literal centrepiece of a sound and light show – created by the 11 Indigenous Nations of Quebec, who are Brussels' guests of honour this year.
On 24 November (today) at 18:00, the lights in the tree will be turned on for the first time during the opening ceremony.
Like in previous years, people do not have to go all the way to the city centre to encounter the Christmas spirit, as Brussels by Lights will light up 168 streets across the Capital Regions with creations in all shapes and sizes, from snowflakes and geometric jellyfish to snowmen and artworks.
Boost for Brussels economy
City of Brussels Councillor for Economic Affairs Fabian Maingain stressed that the event is synonymous with friends and family, not just for Brussels residents but also for tourists coming from Flanders and Wallonia or beyond Belgium's borders.
"Winter Wonders really contributes to the attractiveness of the capital during the end-of-year period: it is of great economic importance for various sectors, such as the hotel and restaurant industry, the leisure sector, mobility and retail in Brussels," Maingain said.
Credit: Belga
The Ferris wheel, the Grand Place with its Christmas tree and sound and light show, Place De Brouckère with its ice and curling rinks, Sainte Catherine with its wooden chalets selling mulled wine and raclette, craft sale points – Winter Wonder has something for everyone.
Amid the new features this year is the collaboration with the 11 Indigenous Nations of Quebec, who will organise a number of shows, installations and performances during the event. In a special village on the Place de la Bourse, a unique experience will also await visitors in a 'shaputuan', a traditional tent of the indigenous people.
How to get there
Due to last year's success, the Brussels authorities are again advising people living outside the Capital Region to come to the end-of-year festivities by public transport.
"Even if you live in the countryside, favourable rates for parking at the train stations are provided," said Brussels Mobility city councillor Bart Dhondt. "Train tickets to Brussels are half-price during Winter Wonders."
Brussels-Central station is "a real gateway to Winter Wonders," with entertainment right outside the station, he stressed. "There will also be temporary extra bicycle racks and dropzones for e-scooters along the edges of the stalls."
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"There are also parking spaces outside Brussels' small ring road that could be good to park your car, but it would be a lot easier to just come by train: it is easy and cheap, and you can enjoy the mulled wine to the fullest," Dhondt said. "We are expecting a lot of people."
This year, the event website will again contain an interactive map to make it quick and easy to find all attractions across the centre. The digital tool provides an aerial view and uses filters to get a general picture and to optimally display the locations of installations, attractions, chalets and craft sales points.
The event is open across Brussels from Friday 24 November until Sunday 31 December, every day from 12:00 to 22:00.
Winter Wonders 2022. Credit: Visit.Brussels
