The Bruges Christmas market opens on 20 November 2026 as part of Winter Glow, the city’s winter festival. The festival itself runs until 14 February 2027. There are two markets, on the Markt beneath the belfry and on nearby Simon Stevinplein, plus an outdoor skating rink at the Minnewater lake. Bruges is small, candlelit and very walkable, which makes it one of the easiest Christmas trips from the UK.
Bruges Christmas market 2026 in brief
- Market opens: 20 November 2026
- Winter Glow festival: 20 November 2026 – 14 February 2027
- Where: the Markt and Simon Stevinplein, both in the old town
- Entry: free (the skating rink charges for tickets)
- Currency: euro
- From the UK: Eurostar to Brussels then a Belgian train, or drive from Calais in about an hour and a half
In this guide
Bruges Christmas market 2026: dates and opening hours
The Bruges Christmas market is not a stand-alone event. It sits inside Winter Glow, a festival that lights up the old town for almost three months. The market stalls open on 20 November 2026. The wider festival, with its lights and skating rink, carries on until Valentine’s Day, long after the chalets have been packed away.
| What | 2026–27 dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Glow festival | 20 Nov 2026 – 14 Feb 2027 | Confirmed |
| Christmas markets (Markt and Simon Stevinplein) | From 20 Nov 2026 until early January 2027 | Opening confirmed; closing date to be announced |
| Skating rink (Minnewater) | During Winter Glow | Expected |
Last checked: 28 September 2026. The market has closed in the first days of January in recent years. Check the official Visit Bruges website for the final 2026–27 date.
Opening hours: the market is usually open from late morning until about 10pm, with an extra hour on Friday and Saturday evenings. Hours are shorter over the holidays. In recent seasons the stalls have closed at 5pm on Christmas Eve and at 8pm on New Year’s Eve, with limited hours on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
What’s on at Winter Glow
Bruges spreads its Christmas across a handful of places, all within a ten-minute walk of each other. That is part of what makes it so pleasant: you can wander from one to the next without ever needing a map.
The Markt: the main Christmas market
The largest market fills the Markt, Bruges’ main square. Wooden chalets sell decorations, gifts and hot food under the 83-metre belfry, with the brightly painted guild houses lit up around the edges. This is the traditional market, and the one you will see in most photos of Bruges at Christmas. It gets busy in the evenings and at weekends, so arrive in the early afternoon if you want room to browse.
Simon Stevinplein: local makers and farm produce
A few minutes’ walk south of the Markt, just off the main shopping street, this smaller market focuses on crafts and food from local producers and farmers. It is calmer and more intimate, and a better place to look for presents that were actually made in Flanders.
Skating at the Minnewater
In recent seasons the skating rink has moved from the Markt to the Minnewater, the lake often called the “Lake of Love” at the southern edge of the old town. The rink is artificial rather than real ice, and sits beside a large winter bar, a good place to warm up after a few laps. It is a lovely spot after dark, and a short walk from the Beguinage.
The Burg and the lights
The Burg, the square beside the Markt that is home to the Gothic town hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, usually has one of the city’s most beautiful Christmas trees. It is worth walking through at night even though there are no stalls.
For the last few years, Winter Glow has also included an evening trail of light installations along the canals. The festival programme is changing for 2026–27, and the organisers are expected to replace the light trail with a new evening event. Details are normally announced in the autumn.
Getting to Bruges from the UK
Bruges is one of the few Christmas markets you can reach from the UK without flying, and there are three sensible ways to do it. Which one suits you depends mostly on where in the UK you live and whether you want a car once you are there.
| Route | How it works | Rough journey time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eurostar + Belgian train | London St Pancras to Brussels-Midi, then a train to Bruges | About 3 to 3.5 hours plus the connection | Londoners, couples and anyone without a car |
| Drive via LeShuttle or ferry | Folkestone to Calais by train, or Dover by ferry, then drive into Belgium | About 1.5 hours’ drive from Calais, plus the crossing | Families, groups and anyone bringing back heavy shopping |
| Fly + train | Fly to Brussels, then take the train to Bruges | About 1.5 hours by train from Brussels Airport | Travellers from Scotland, the North and Northern Ireland |
By Eurostar and train
This is the most relaxed option if you live in or near London. The direct Eurostar to Brussels-Midi takes just under two hours. Eurostar does not run to Bruges, so you buy a separate ticket from SNCB, the Belgian national railway, for the onward journey. Trains from Brussels to Bruges run frequently throughout the day and take roughly an hour.
Tip: leave at least 45 minutes to an hour between trains in Brussels on the way back. Eurostar check-in and border control close before departure, and the queues are longer in December.
By car
Taking the car makes sense for families, for groups and for anyone planning to fill the boot with Belgian beer and chocolate. LeShuttle crosses from Folkestone to Calais in about 35 minutes, and the drive from Calais to Bruges takes around an hour and a half. Ferries from Dover to Calais or Dunkirk are an alternative if you prefer a break on board.
Once you arrive, don’t try to drive into the old town. Most of the centre is designed to keep traffic out, and parking is limited. A better plan is to leave the car at the large car park next to the railway station and walk or take a bus into the centre.
Before you drive: display a UK sticker on the back of your car. If you plan to drive on to Ghent, Brussels or Antwerp, check each city’s low-emission zone rules in advance, as vehicles registered outside Belgium may need to be registered before entering.
By plane and train
If you live a long way from the south-east, flying to Brussels can be quicker than travelling to London for the Eurostar. Brussels Airport has its own railway station, and trains to Bruges take about an hour and a half. It is worth checking the price of the whole journey, though, as a flight plus the train can cost more than you might expect in December.
Day trip or overnight stay?
The short answer: a day trip from London is possible, but staying at least one night is far better. Bruges is at its most beautiful after dark, and that is just when most day visitors are heading home.
On a day trip from London you will spend six or seven hours travelling in total, leaving about five to six hours in Bruges. That is enough to see both markets, walk the canals and eat, but the winter sun sets before 4.30pm, so much of your time there will be in daylight. Coach tours from the UK also tend to arrive mid-morning and leave in the early evening, which is exactly when the old town is most crowded.
| Choose a day trip if… | Choose an overnight stay if… |
|---|---|
| You live in or near London | You are travelling from outside the south-east |
| You mainly want to see the markets | You want to see the lights and the old town after dark |
| You are on a tight budget | You want a relaxed pace and a proper Belgian dinner |
| You can’t take time off work | You would like to add Ghent or Brussels to the trip |
Our view: one night lets you see Bruges by day and by night. Two nights gives you time for a day trip to Ghent as well.
Where to stay in Bruges at Christmas
Bruges is so compact that almost anywhere inside the old town puts you within walking distance of the markets. The real choice is between being in the middle of everything and having a bit of peace in the evening.
- Around the Markt and the Burg: the most convenient base, a few steps from the main market. Expect higher prices and more noise in the evenings.
- Near the Minnewater and the Beguinage: quieter and very pretty at night, and close to the skating rink. The walk to the Markt takes about 15 minutes.
- Near the railway station: usually cheaper and practical if you arrive late or leave early by train. The centre is a 15 to 20-minute walk or a short bus ride away.
Book early. Hotels in the old town fill up for the December weekends, and prices rise the closer you get to Christmas. If you have some flexibility, midweek nights are often much better value.
When to go to the Bruges Christmas market
The short answer: for the markets at their best, go on a weekday in late November or early December. If crowds bother you more than market stalls, consider January or early February, when Winter Glow is still running but most visitors have gone home.
- Opening weeks (from 20 November): the stalls are freshly stocked, the crowds are manageable and hotel prices have not yet reached their December peak.
- 6 December, St Nicholas’ Day: in Flanders, Sinterklaas is a bigger occasion for children than Christmas itself. Children leave out a shoe the night before and wake up to sweets and small presents. You will see chocolate figures of the saint in every shop window in the run-up.
- Weekends in December: the busiest time of the season, especially on Saturdays when coach tours arrive. Go early in the day or stay late into the evening.
- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: the market closes early on 24 December and opens only for limited hours on 25 December. Book restaurants well in advance.
- After the market closes: Winter Glow carries on until 14 February 2027. Without the market stalls the city is much quieter, but the festival setting and winter atmosphere remain. It is a good option for a winter weekend or Valentine’s trip.
What to eat and drink
Belgium takes food seriously, and the Christmas market season is a good excuse to try the classics.
- Waffles: you will find two kinds. The Brussels waffle is light, crisp and rectangular, usually served with a topping. The Liège waffle is denser, sweeter and chewy, with caramelised sugar baked in, and easy to eat as you walk.
- Hot chocolate: several of the city’s chocolate shops serve it made from real melted chocolate, sometimes with the chocolate on a stick to stir into hot milk yourself.
- Christmas beers: many Belgian breweries release special seasonal beers each winter, usually darker, stronger and spicier than their regular brews. Look out also for glühkriek, warm cherry beer, which is a Belgian alternative to mulled wine.
- Jenever: the traditional Flemish gin, sold at some stalls in flavoured versions. It is strong, so sip rather than knock back.
- Chips (frites): served in a paper cone with a choice of sauces, and the perfect thing to eat standing in the cold.
Bruges uses the euro, and cards are widely accepted at stalls, shops and restaurants. It is still worth carrying a few coins for smaller stalls and public toilets. If a card machine gives you the choice, pay in euros rather than pounds.
Combining Bruges with Ghent or Brussels
If you are staying two nights or more, it is easy to add a second Belgian city. Trains run frequently between all three.
- Ghent: about half an hour by train from Bruges. Ghent is bigger and livelier, with a student population and a Christmas market spread across several squares in its medieval centre. It is a good contrast to the quieter Bruges.
- Brussels: about an hour by train. Its Winter Wonders market is one of the largest in Belgium, and the Grand Place is spectacular at night. If you are travelling by Eurostar, you could spend your last afternoon here before the train home.
For other Christmas markets that pair well with a Belgian trip, see our guide to the best Christmas markets in Europe.
Practical tips for a Christmas trip to Bruges
- Wear comfortable, waterproof shoes: the old town is cobbled, and the flat, canal-side streets are wet and cold in winter.
- Visit the markets at both ends of the day: go in the early afternoon for browsing, and come back after dark for the lights.
- Allow time at the border: Belgium is in the Schengen area, so you will pass through the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES). If you travel by Eurostar, the check happens at St Pancras before you board. Arrive early, especially in December.
- Check your passport: for the Schengen area, a UK passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the day you arrive, and be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave.
- Book popular restaurants in advance: particularly for Friday and Saturday evenings in December.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Bruges Christmas market open in 2026?
The Bruges Christmas market opens on 20 November 2026, on the same day as the Winter Glow festival. The market usually closes in the first days of January, while Winter Glow continues until 14 February 2027.
Where is the Christmas market in Bruges?
There are two markets in the old town. The main one is on the Markt, beneath the belfry. A smaller market focused on local crafts and produce is on Simon Stevinplein, a few minutes’ walk away. The skating rink is at the Minnewater.
Can you do the Bruges Christmas market as a day trip from London?
Yes. Take the Eurostar to Brussels and a train on to Bruges, and you will have around five to six hours there. It is a long day, and you will miss most of the evening atmosphere, so an overnight stay is more enjoyable.
Is the Bruges Christmas market free?
Yes, both markets are free to visit. You only pay for food, drink and anything you buy. The skating rink charges for tickets.
Is Bruges or Brussels better for Christmas markets?
Brussels has the bigger market and more to do, and it is easier to reach by Eurostar. Bruges is smaller, prettier and more romantic. Many people visit both, as they are only an hour apart by train.
Is Bruges worth visiting after Christmas?
Yes, particularly if you prefer fewer crowds. The market stalls close in early January, but the Winter Glow festival and its winter setting continue until 14 February, and hotel prices are often lower.
More Christmas market guides
Sources
Written by the Epiclectic Editorial Team
Epiclectic publishes practical guides for UK readers on travel, money, home and everyday life. We check dates, rules and prices against official sources and update our guides when they change.
Last reviewed: September 2026
