When to go · Belgium
Belgium in December
Good month. Christmas markets in Brussels (Winter Wonders), Bruges, Ghent and Liège.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Crowds
- Medium
- Belgium
- Prices
- Medium
- Belgium
Verdict
Christmas markets in Brussels (Winter Wonders), Bruges, Ghent and Liège.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated good. These months rate higher:
- MayGreatMild; Brussels Jazz Weekend and outdoor terraces; long weekends fill Bruges.
- JuneGreatLong days; Brussels Ommegang pageant prep; Bruges busy at weekends.
- JulyGreatGhent Festivities, Tomorrowland, the Ommegang and National Day on the 21st.
- AugustGreatBrussels Flower Carpet on the Grand-Place in even years (next 2028); Brussels hotels cheap without EU business.
Weather in December
- Flanders, Brussels and the coast · Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, Brussels, Ostendcool
Mild, cloudy and damp; summers around 22–25 °C (72–77 °F) with occasional heatwaves. December Christmas markets offset dark afternoons.Mild, cloudy and damp; summers around 72–77 °F (22–25 °C) with occasional heatwaves. December Christmas markets offset dark afternoons.
- Wallonia and the Ardennes · Namur, Dinant, Durbuy, Liège, Bouilloncool
Colder upland winters with some snow; autumn colours in October; hunts close some forest trails from October to December.
- Flanders: Coastal Flanders · Bruges, Ostend, Knokkecold
Sea wind keeps it cooler in summer and milder in winter; rain any month.
- Flanders: Inland Flanders · Ghent, Antwerp, Leuven, Limburgcold
April–June and September are the driest and least crowded; July–August is peak.
- Wallonia: Meuse valley (Namur, Dinant, Liège) · River towns and the Sambrecool
Mild and damp; summer days around 22–25 °C (72–77 °F), winter around 3–6 °C (37–43 °F). Rain is possible in any month.Mild and damp; summer days around 72–77 °F (22–25 °C), winter around 37–43 °F (3–6 °C). Rain is possible in any month.
- Wallonia: Ardennes (Durbuy, La Roche, Spa) · Hills above about 400 mcold
Cooler and wetter than the valleys; snow is common in January and February and can close minor roads.
- Brussels6 °C (43 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 18 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 18 rain days
- Aalst7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 19 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 19 rain days
- Aarschot6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 9 rain days
- Antwerp7.2 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days45 °F (7.2 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 13 rain days
- Arlon5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 14 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 14 rain days
- Ath7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 13 rain days
- Avelgem6 °C (43 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 10 rain days
- Bastogne5 °C (41 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 12 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 12 rain days
- Berlare6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 9 rain days
- Beveren7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 12 rain days
- Binche6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 11 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 11 rain days
- Bouillon5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 12 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 12 rain days
- Bruges7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 13 rain days
- Cambron-Casteau6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 14 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 14 rain days
- Charleroi7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 13 rain days
- Chimay6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 13 rain days
- Damme6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 9 rain days
- De Haan7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 13 rain days
- Deinze7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 13 rain days
- Dendermonde6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 12 rain days
- Diest6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 9 rain days
- Diksmuide7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 13 rain days
- Dinant6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 13 rain days
- Eeklo6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 12 rain days
- Eupen6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 12 rain days
- Gembloux6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 11 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 11 rain days
- Genk6 °C (43 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 12 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 12 rain days
- Geraardsbergen6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 9 rain days
- Ghent7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 13 rain days
- Grimbergen7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 19 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 19 rain days
- Halen7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 19 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 19 rain days
- Hasselt7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 13 rain days
- Herentals7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 10 rain days
- Hermalle-sous-Huy6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 9 rain days
- Herve5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 10 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 10 rain days
- Heuvelland6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 9 rain days
- Huy7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 13 rain days
- Keerbergen6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 11 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 11 rain days
- Kelmis6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 9 rain days
- Knokke-Heist6 °C (43 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 11 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 11 rain days
- Koksijde7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 13 rain days
- Kortrijk7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 13 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 13 rain days
- Kraainem6 °C (43 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 19 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 19 rain days
- La Louvière6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 9 rain days
- La Roche-en-Ardenne5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 9 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 9 rain days
- Leuven7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 12 rain days
- Liège6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 13 rain days
- Lier7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 12 rain days
- Lochristi8 °C (46 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 12 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 12 rain days
- Lokeren6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 13 rain days
- Louvain-la-Neuve7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 19 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 19 rain days
- Maasmechelen6 °C (43 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 9 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 9 rain days
- Mechelen7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 12 rain days
- Mons6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 10 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 10 rain days
- Namur6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 13 rain days
- Neerijse7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 12 rain days
- Neupré6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 11 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 11 rain days
- Nieuwpoort7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 12 rain days
- Ostend8 °C (46 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 13 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 13 rain days
- Oudenaarde6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 12 rain days
- Poperinge7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 12 rain days
- Pottes5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 9 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 9 rain days
- Roeselare7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 12 rain days
- Sint-Martens-Latem6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 8 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 8 rain days
- Sint-Niklaas7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 12 rain days
- Sint-Pieters-Leeuw7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 9 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 9 rain days
- Sint-Truiden7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 12 rain days
- Spa5 °C (41 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 13 rain days
- Spiennes6 °C (43 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 9 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 9 rain days
- St. Vith5 °C (41 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 13 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 13 rain days
- Tervuren7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 19 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 19 rain days
- Thuin7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 19 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 19 rain days
- Tielt6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 13 rain days
- Tongeren6 °C (43 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 19 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 19 rain days
- Tournai6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 13 rain days
- Turnhout6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 9 rain days
- Verviers5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 12 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 12 rain days
- Villers-la-Ville6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 9 rain days
- Vilvoorde6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 10 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 10 rain days
- Waasmunster7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 12 rain days
- Waterloo6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 10 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 10 rain days
- Welkenraedt5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 14 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 14 rain days
- Ypres7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 12 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 12 rain days
- Zaventem6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 12 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 12 rain days
- Zottegem6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 10 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 10 rain days
- Zoutleeuw6 °C (43 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 10 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 10 rain days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Christmas
25 Dec
Shops closed; markets run until early January.
Winter Wonders Christmas market
Late November to early January · Brussels
Market stalls, a light show on the Grand-Place and an ice rink; centre streets fill in the evenings. Book beds early.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Belgium
- Medium
- Prices · Belgium
- Medium
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Belgium, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Good
May: Great (better)
Crowds
Dec: Medium
May: Medium
Prices
Dec: Medium
May: Medium
Festivals listed
Dec: 2
May: 4
December: Christmas markets in Brussels (Winter Wonders), Bruges, Ghent and Liège.
May: Mild; Brussels Jazz Weekend and outdoor terraces; long weekends fill Bruges.
Belgium: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket