The Market Square is located in the heart of Bruges, covering an area of about 1 hectare. Its historical highlights include the Provincial Court, Cranenburg House, and the belfry of Bruges. With its medieval architecture, the Market Square is the perfect place for an atmospheric Christmas market that offers a wide range of traditional Christmas gifts and treats. It attracts thousands of visitors, locals and tourists alike, who want to experience the Christmas spirit.
What can you find at the Bruges Christmas market? The market features several dozen stalls where local merchants and artisans sell handicrafts, jewelry, knitwear, gift items, Christmas decorations, and more. If you need to buy Christmas gifts and souvenirs for your nearest and dearest, you will surely check some items off your gift list here. Authentic wooden chalets are decorated with garlands and fairy lights, which makes shopping even more pleasant.
Naturally, there are food stalls that offer local specialties and Christmas treats. You can taste Belgian crepes with sweet and savory fillings and toppings, different kinds of Belgian waffles (Brussels waffles, Liège waffles, Flemish waffles, and the stroopwafel), a variety of cheeses, famous Belgian chocolate, fries served with different sauces, cougnou (traditional Christmas bread), etc.
Vendors also serve Belgium’s signature drinks, first of all beer and jenever. For a relatively small country, Belgium produces a very large number of beers, so you absolutely have to sample at least some of them, even if the weather is chilly. Jenever is the national and traditional liquor of Belgium flavored with juniper. You can also enjoy traditional hot drinks such as mulled wine, hot cider or hot chocolate.
Alongside its food and gift stalls, the Bruges Christmas market offers a rich entertainment program. The market’s main attractions include a skating rink set in the picturesque scenery of the main square, beautiful ice sculptures, horse-drawn carriages for romantic rides through the old town, and more.
