BELGIUM: A couple more Christmas Markets

We are totally spoilt for choice for Christmas Markets here and are able to access markets in France, Netherlands and Germany as well as Belgium. Here are a couple more to consider during the Christmas Markets tour!

GHENT:

Part of the historic city’s extensive winter festivities and holiday-themed fun fair attractions is the lovely Christmas Market. Step into a human-sized ornament on the Christmas tree merry-go-round or soar above the Corn Market in a Ferris wheel and hit the ice as a traditional skating rink makes its return to the city. There are winter bars among countless other stalls with oodles of seasonal specialities and a smaller, cosier market over on Veerleplein. There’s also lots of free activities!

WHEN: Until Wednesday 31st December 2025
WHERE: Across central Ghent
MORE INFORMATION: Here

LEUVEN:

The cold, dark days of Winter won’t stand a chance with Leuven’s beautifully-illuminated Christmas market and Winter Garden. Leuven is big on moody atmosphere at this time of year, with its famed convent (beguinage) bathed in candlelight on 13 December. Meanwhile, the city’s Christmas market boasts some 120 chalets in Ladeuzeplain and Hooverplein. 

In the Winter Garden on Grote Markt you will find the nativity and giant Christmas tree and the Festival also includes holiday concerts and winter walks. 

English Carol Concerts are hosted but St Peter’s Church on 18th, 23rd & 29th December 2025, whilst at Park Abbey you can hear carillon concerts from 10th to 31st December and a concert, sing-along and violin folk project on 14th December. These pretty church grounds are also home to a Christmas market.

WHEN: Until 10th January 2026

WHERE: Across Leuven

MORE INFORMATION: Here

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: Festive Fun in Belgium

Seeking some Festive Fun this Christmas Period? How about these…

How about the Grand Cirque de Noël? The Big Top is getting ready to start its traditional Christmas show. The programme –  completely without animals – is designed to thrill and entertain all ages. 

WHEN: Thursday 18 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026
WHERE: Place Flagey, Ixelles

MORE INFORMATION: Here

Or the Noël au Thêatre; a longstanding theatre festival that fills twixtmas, that limbo between Christmas Day and New Year. Aimed at the whole family, the ambitious programme for the 43rd edition is a show without dialogue, ‘L’Inconnue’ is a dance piece exploring the imaginary (5+) and ‘Et encore t’as rien vu’ is a contemporary tale about adolescent sensitivities (14+), among other highlights.

WHEN: Sunday 26th to Tuesday 30th December 2025

WHERE: Across Brussels

MORE INFORMATION: Here

If you love a bit of history, why not visit Winter Wonderland at Gravensteen in Gent? With enchanting lighting, festive decoration and merry music you cannot fail to feel festive. Inside is an incredibly cosy winter bar and funny audio stories told by stand-up comedian Wouter Deprez. 

WHEN: Until Sunday 4 January 2026

WHERE: Gravensteen, Sint-Veerleplein 11, Gent

MORE INFORMATION: Here

Or if thrill-seeking is more your family’s thing, then why not go to Walibi Winter at Walibi Family amusement park? Open over the Christmas holiday season with themed zones and festive sparkle, its new seasonal Northern Dock space also offers an immersion in a Scandinavian themed harbour complete with glowing lighthouses, fishermen’s huts and colourful containers. 

Other themed zones include an Alpine village, Frozen Land and Polar Playground, while winter wonderland decor and activities brighten the whole park. Thrill seekers can hurtle down a new toboggan run and take spin around an indoor ice rink. 

WHEN: Until Sunday 4th January 2026

WHERE: Boulevard de l’Europe 100, Wavre

MORE INFORMATION: Here

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BELGIUM: Christmas Light Displays

There are lots of Christmas Light Displays out there to help get you feeling all Christmassy…

The Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra are holding a New Year’s concert which is set to be a flamboyant celebration with renowned arias by Rossini, Verdi, Donizetti and Puccini. Dance pieces by Tchaïkovsky, Dvořák and Strauss II will complement the programme. 

The orchestra is conducted by David Navarro-Turres and joined by soprano Elise Gäbele. 

WHEN: Friday 19 December, 20:00

WHERE: Novum Theatre, Rue Eudore Devroy 2, 1040 Etterbeek

MORE INFORMATION: Here

A spectacular sound and light show will illuminate the secrets of the Cathedral of St Michael and St  in celebration of its 800th anniversary. “Luminescence celebrates the heritage of the masterpiece of Brabant Gothic architecture which has overlooked Brussels since the 13th century.

Come and marvel at the video mapping experience where light and music bring eight centuries of history back to life with the heavenly voices of one of the region’s finest choirs elevating the original soundtrack. 

WHEN: Thursday 11 December 2025 onwards
WHERE: Esplanade de la Sainte Gudule
MORE INFORMATION: Here

In Brussels, come and see the annual illuminations adorning the capital’s shopping streets at Brussels by Lights. Some 1,000 festive garlands are festooned around 180 thoroughfares for a fairytale atmosphere during the holiday season.

WHEN: Until Sunday 4 January 2026

WHERE: Brussels City Centre and Laeken

MORE INFORMATION: Here

Up in Antwerp you will find an action packed Winter Experience. Belgium’s most sprawling Christmas market winds through streets and squares and a series of pretty lights will guide you from the Central Station to all the festive action. 

Be sure not to miss Hendrik Conscienceplein with its magical fountain, and check out the carousels, Ferris wheel, chalets and tempting seasonal specialities that stretch from Operaplein to Koningen Astridplein. A new light installation trail also runs from Handschoenmarkt to Operaplein.

The entertainment programme includes winter bars, musical performances and a firework display over the river Scheldt on New Year’s Eve

WHEN: Until Monday 5th January 2026

WHERE: Across Antwerp

MORE INFORMATION: Here

And last but by no means least, the gorgeous town of Dinant lights up with concerts, markets, parades and shows throughout its streets, squares and waterfront at Dinant Lumière.

As night falls, the illuminated trail highlights five iconic landmarks, all adding much-needed colour to the season. 

WHEN: Until Saturday 3 January 2026

WHERE: the Town Centre, Dinant

MORE INFORMATION: Here

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

BRUSSELS: Christmas Carol Concert, Saturday 13th December 2025, 17:00

Get into the Christmas Spirit with the Brussels Christmas Carol Concert this Saturday.

Tickets in advance as per poster.

WHEN: Saturday 13 December 2025, 17:00
WHERE: Église St Marc, Avenue De Fré 76, Uccle
MORE INFORMATION: www.brusselscarolconcert.com

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE

SHAPE: The last Pop-Up Coffee of 2025

The last Pop-Up Coffee of 2025 is nigh!

The lovely ladies of the Pop-Up coffee crew will be hanging their aprons up for a well-earned rest over the Festive period. 

The last pop-up coffee will be Wednesday 17th December 2025 when Ruby’s homemade Christmas Cake and Mince Pies will be on offer.

The first Pop-Up Coffee of 2026 will be Wednesday 14th January.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Pop-Up Coffee Crew!

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE.

SHAPE: Please check your letterboxes…..

Two important letters are currently being sent out from Belgian Authorities, addressed to British personnel and families here; whilst recipients are exempted from both, please do check your letterbox and please do not ignore the letters.

If you receive a Belgian Tax Return letter, please complete and sign the French Declaration and send a scan/photo of it and the letter to Nadia (Nadia.ElHamdi329@mod.gov.uk), who will deal with it on your behalf. Do not complete the English version of the Declaration.

If female serving personnel or family members receive a Smear Test letter, please send your name & date of birth via email to Nadia or Corine at the UK Medical Centre (corine.bausier244@mod.gov.uk) and they will ensure that the Belgian Authorities know that you are looked after by UK Support and receive no further letters.

Any questions do pop into the Community Office or drop us an email.

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE.

SHAPE: Festive parkrun Saturday 20th December 2025

Don’t miss the festive parkrun on Saturday 20th December 2025!

Don you favourite Christmas outfit and join the 5km run, jog, walk or skip around the out and back course.

Meet at 08:45 behind the Continental Mess for a 09:00 start.

No cost, but a great opportunity to get some fresh air, makes some new friends and build the Christmas Spirit!

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE.

BELGIUM: DIO December Newsletter

The third ESG DIO Newsletter has landed!

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE.

SHAPE: Christmas Concert, Jurbise Church Saturday 13 December 2025 18:00 onwards

Get into the Christmas Spirit with the Christmas Concert at Jurbise Church this Saturday.

 

Come along and enjoy some traditional Christmas songs (to the rhythm of Jazz, Blues & Rock), performed by 35 musicians from the JB Band.

The concert will start at 19:00, but do pop along from 18:00 onwards for a Welcome Drink.

Tickets need to be bought in advance and will cost €25 but if you want the VIP experience a ticket will cost you €35 and include a glass of Champagne!

The concert is organized by “Rotary International” and all the proceeds will go to local charities/the Fight Against Polio in the World (“End Polio Now”).

WHEN: Saturday 13 December, 18:00
WHERE: Saint-Eloi church, rue Albert 1er, Jurbise.
TICKETS: In advance from Georges Doutrelepont Ice-Cream Parlor (Route d’Ath 238, Nimy)

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE.

BELGIUM: Togetherness Campaign from SSAFA

Find out more about this evidence based emotional resilience support approach.

Various online learning pathways to support healthy parenting and important relationships. 

Courses include:

• adolescence and young peoples mental health, 
• SEND 
• Adult emotional health including trauma.

Residents with a BF1 postcode, please use the code MILITARY for free access.

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE