Here are some activity suggestions for the weekend and the Holiday Season:
* First of all, the Brussels Christmas Market will open this Friday 29 November!
You can discover “Plaisirs d’Hiver” (“Winter Wonders”) – the 24th edition already! - from 29 Nov. 2024 to 05 Jan. 2025.
The opening hours are from 1200 to 2200 (each day), except on Tuesday 24/31 Dec. and on Sunday 5 January when it will open from 1200 to 1800.
“Plaisirs d’Hiver” is more than a Christmas Market with 200 cottages and stalls: you also have a Ferris wheel, merry-go-rounds, an ice rink (Place de Brouckère), rides, a huge Christmas Tree on the Grand Place with a sound and light show called “Echoes of Colors” (from 1700 to 2200, every 30 min./ except on 24 and 31 Dec. when there will be no show) – that part on the Main Square is not to be missed!
The official “grand opening” will take place on Friday 29 November at 1800. Please note that it will probably be crowded as most of the stores will have good bargains for “Black Friday” – it may be best to wait a day or two to discover “Plaisirs d’Hiver”.
The walk through “Winter Wonders” in Brussels is about 2.5 km. You will find all the details by checking these website: https://www.plaisirsdhiver.be/en and https://www.brussels.be/winter-wonders (watch the nice video from last year’s event!).
* The Christmas Market in Bruges (Grote Markt/Place Simon Stevin), called “Winter Glow” has opened on 22 November and will remain open until 05 January 2025.
You can visit it on Friday and Saturday from 1030 to 2300 and from Sunday to Thursday from 1000 to 2200. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, it will be open until 1700 hours.
There is a “Light experience trail” and decorations throughout the city, a “Winter Festival” that turns the city of Bruges into a true Christmas town... The Christmas Market in Bruges is considered as “the most romantic of Europe”, according to “European Best Destinations”.
Visit the website https://www.visitbruges.be/en/winter-glow for practical information!
* Some of you have asked me where to do their shopping for Christmas items and decorations. I’ll share a few addresses in the area:
- “La Maison du Père Noël”, rue Ferrer 104 in Cuesmes. Open Monday to Friday from 1400 to 1800, Sat. & Sun. from 1000 to 1800.
800 m² and more than 1000 deco items, artificial Christmas trees, sets of lights, Christmas villages, nativity scene figures for your collection, Disney items and many more!
The shop will remain open until 30 Dec. You will find herewith a few pictures of the shop as I visited it a few weeks ago.
Website: https://lamaisonduperenoel.be/, FB: https://www.facebook.com/LaMaisonDuPereNoel/?locale=fr_FR
- “La Grange de Mélanie”, Place de Petit-Roeulx 13 in Seneffe. Open Saturday, Sunday & Monday from 1000 to 1800.
FB: https://www.facebook.com/@lagrangedemelanie/?locale=fr_FR
- “AVA”, Chaussée de Ghlin 9 in Mons (next to BricoPlanit). Open Monday to Saturday from 0900 to 1800.
It has all you need to decorate your home. They have a Christmas department and you can find everything you need for any type of celebration (birthday, wedding etc.)
Website: https://www.ava.be/fr/c/noel
Have a nice weekend, enjoy the Holiday Season… and “Happy Thanksgiving” to the US Community!
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Courtesy of LTC Dirk Geens, BSG Host Nation Liaison Officer.
Winter in Antwerp: December 6, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Antwerp transforms into a festive wonderland this winter! Enjoy the Ferris wheel at Koningin Astridplein, ice skating, and delicious treats at the Christmas market. Explore seven enchanting locations, including Groenplaats, Grote Markt, and the magical lights of Suikerrui.
Ring in the new year with spectacular fireworks over the River Scheldt, best viewed from Het Zuid or Galgenweel. Warm up at cozy winter bars like Den Après near the skating rink or the courtyard at Het Steen.
Shop for unique gifts and enjoy Antwerp's festive atmosphere, with shops open every Sunday in December. Celebrate the magic of winter in Antwerp!
https://visit.antwerpen.be/en/winter-in-antwerp-2024
I'm happy to help at dirk.geens@shape.nato.int or visit my office (Building 102 – Room 105).