Five tips for a successful winter trip: Brussels

Five tips for a successful winter trip: Brussels

The Belgian capital is becoming ever more popular as a winter destination. Not just among tourists from abroad but among Belgians too. That’s hardly surprising, because there’s a lot to experience in Brussels during the winter months. With these tips, you’re all set for winter.

Winter pleasure for everyone
Until Sunday 6 January, the whole city centre is transformed into one big winter wonderland under the name of Winter Pleasure: a big Christmas tree on the Grand-Place, a skating rink and giant wheel, festive lighting everywhere and, of course, the Christmas market itself, with 250 chalets one of the biggest in the country. For this new edition, Winter Pleasures will, in addition, be given an impressive high-tech edge in the pedestrian area on Boulevard Anspach. That’s where The Dome has been set up, a huge dome in which audiovisual 360° shows, films, concerts and family activities will take place.

Discovering the city
Countless guided tours around the city will be organised throughout the winter. For anyone who doesn’t want to just feast their eyes, we recommend following the ‘Winter gourmet walks’ of the guide organisation Vizit. On 16, 28 and 30 December, the experienced guides will take you through the most surprising spots in the city centre, and treat you alternately to festive stories and great tasting sessions. Pre-registration is essential. €16 per person.

Hakuna matata
You haven’t booked a winter holiday but still fancy going somewhere a little exotic? Well, we have some good news for you! After an intensive five-year restoration, the Africa Museum in Tervuren finally re-opened its doors on 9 December.

Jazz + January = Jazzuary!
Jazz fans will have their call answered in the capital at the start of 2019. No less than three different jazz festivals will be held place in January! The fifth Brussels Jazz Festival (10 to 19 January) has more than twenty concerts lined up, featuring both international names and young emerging talent. The River Jazz Festival over a period of three weeks will offer an eclectic mix of contemporary jazz (11 to 26 January), paying homage to the likes of Chet Baker and Niclas Thys. Finally, ever since 1994, Djangofollies (15 to 30 January) has celebrated the anniversary of the birth of the jazz legend Django Reinhardt with concerts that no jazz lover will want to miss.

Shopping for art
Art lovers will no doubt circle the month of February on their calendars. In that month you can immerse yourself in contemporary art in the Belgian capital, thanks to Brussels I Love You, a unique tour through art galleries, workshops and residences of emerging Belgian artists. On top of that, February offers an opportunity to buy your own art during BRAFA (26 January to 3 February), not just the largest antiques fair in Belgium but one of the oldest in the world. If you would like to add to your collection of contemporary art without having to raid the piggy-bank, chance your luck from 1 to 3 February at Art Truc Troc. During this fun exhibition in the Palais des Beaux-Arts around a hundred artists swap works for something visitors offer them on a post-it note next to the work of art.