10 Christmas traditions in Belgium

As the holiday season approaches in Belgium, how you can expect to celebrate depends on which region you live in. In both Dutch-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia, you’ll find find a mix of traditional Christmas celebrations and Belgian cuisine. This breakdown highlights the richness and regional diversity of Belgium’s Christmas traditions, blending shared heritage with unique local flavors.

Read on for more on these 10 Belgian Christmas traditions:

1. Christmas markets

Christmas markets are a beloved tradition across Belgium, bringing towns and cities alive with festive lights and wooden chalets. In the French-speaking Wallonia region, markets like those in Liège and Mons are known for their cozy, village-like ambiance and artisanal crafts. In Flanders, markets in Bruges, Antwerp, and Ghent combine holiday charm with stunning medieval architecture.

The Brussels Winter Wonders market reflects the city’s bilingual identity, offering festive treats and entertainment in both Dutch and French. Visitors can enjoy mulled wine (vin chaud/glühwein), Belgian waffles, and local delicacies like speculoos cookies, a holiday favorite throughout the country.

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2. Christmas Eve dinner

The Christmas Eve (Kerstavond) feast, known as le réveillon de Noël in French-speaking Belgium, is a highlight of the country’s celebrations.

What’s served at the Christmas Eve feast varies by region, but generally you can expect the following:

• Appetizer: foie gras, smoked salmon, oysters, and various soups
• Main course: roast turkey, pheasant, or goose stuffed with chestnuts and cranberry sauce, and even venison or wild boar in some regions
• Side dishes: vegetables such as green beans, brussels sprouts, parsnips, and potato gratin
• Drinks: sparkling wine, seasonal Christmas beers, and even hot chocolate at the end of the meal

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Depending on the family’s cultural preference, the Christmas Eve dinner in Belgium will end with an epic dessert. In Wallonia, you’ll often find la bûche de Noël, a sponge cake decorated like a yule log. It’s traditionally flavored with chocolate and chestnuts, and covered in buttercream frosting. In Flanders, families might serve speculoos cheesecake instead.

3. Midnight mass

Attending midnight mass (messe de minuit/middernachtmis) on Christmas Eve is a cherished tradition among Belgium’s Catholic communities. Usually it follows the Christmas Eve dinner, le réveillon.

In Wallonia, families gather for a solemn church service featuring carols like Il est né, le divin enfant and the ceremonial placement of baby Jesus in the Nativity scene. In Flanders, the service may include hymns in Dutch and a focus on family blessings.

After Mass, many families in both regions return home to continue the evening with desserts or late-night snacks.

4. Père Noël (Father Christmas)

Père Noël (French) or Kerstman (Dutch) is known for his work delivering gifts to children on Christmas Eve across Belgium. Not to be confused with St. Nicholas Day, however, which is when Sinterklaas comes.

Wallonian children write letters to Père Noël (Father Christmas), who leaves presents under the tree on Christmas Eve. In Flanders, Kerstman (Santa Claus) has a similar role, although the earlier celebration of Saint Nicholas on December 6^th is more common for gifts.

This dual tradition creates a unique overlap, with families often distinguishing between Saint Nicholas as the saintly giver and Father Christmas as the festive figure of December 24^th.

5. Christmas trees

Like in many European countries, the Christmas tree, or sapin de Noël/kerstboom, is a centerpiece of Belgian holiday decor. Christmas trees are usually put up in the first week of December and stay until Epiphany (6^th January), throughout the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Natural fir trees, particularly Nordmann or spruce varieties, are the most popular choice for Belgian families, though artificial trees have gained popularity for convenience.

In both Flanders and Wallonia, public squares feature large, elaborately decorated trees. In addition, Brussels’ Grand Place hosts a stunning Christmas tree, in true multicultural spirit.

6. Nativity scenes (crèches de Noël)

Nativity scenes, or crèches de Noël/kerststallen, are a prominent Christmas tradition in Belgium. Both family homes and churches may display elaborate crèches with figurines representing the Holy Family, shepherds, and animals. Depending on what part of Belgium you’re in, you can finds ones that include culture-specific elements, such as local costumes or architecture.

Some towns, like Liège, host live Nativity scenes with actors and animals that actually reenact the story of Christ’s birth. This shared tradition underscores Belgium’s Catholic heritage, though its expression varies between the regions.

7. Festive treats and desserts

Belgium’s love for all things sweet shines through at Christmastime with a variety of traditional treats. For example, in Wallonia, cougnou (brioche shaped like baby Jesus) is a favorite, often served with hot chocolate or coffee.

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There’s plenty of speculoos to be had during the holiday season too. Made with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, speculoos cookies are crisp, flavorful, and at Christmastime shaped like Saint Nicholas, snowflakes, or Christmas trees.

World-renowned for its fine chocolate, and you can find unique kinds at Belgian Christmas markets and chocolatiers. Look for seasonal collections featuring pralines, truffles, and chocolates shaped like stars, trees, and more.

8. Holiday drinks

Warm drinks like decadent hot chocolate and mulled wine are staples of the season across Belgium, but of course you can also find specialty Christmastime beers.

Hot chocolate in Belgium is made with only the highest quality Belgian chocolate. You can usually choose between dark or milk, then it’s melted into hot milk and topped with whipped cream or marshmallows.

When it comes to mulled wine, you’ll find the drink a touch sweeter in French-speaking Belgium than in the Dutch-speaking part where it’s often stronger.

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Specialty Christmas beers, such as Delirium Noël and St. Bernardus Christmas Ale, are brewed exclusively for the season and enjoyed throughout the country. You can usually order them at bars or buy them at the grocery store throughout December.

9. Advent calendars and wreaths

Advent calendars, or calendriers de l’Avent/adventskalenders, are a cherished Christmas tradition for children across Belgium. Each day of the calendar from the 1^st to 24^th of December offers a treat like chocolate, candy, or a small toy, helping them count down to Christmas.

Many Belgian families also display Advent wreaths (couronnes de l’Avent), often with four candles. These symbolize hope, peace, joy, and love. The Advent season is a time of anticipation and excitement in both communities, seen as a blend of religious and festive traditions.

10. Holiday parades and carols

Throughout Belgium, big cities and small towns alike come alive for the holiday season. You can find Christmas concerts, parades, and light displays that bring communities together across the country.

In Wallonia, people perform traditional carols and French-inspired holiday songs in public squares and churches. Flanders often hosts concerts featuring choral music in Dutch, accompanied by brass bands. Brussels, with its multicultural population, showcases a mix of Dutch, French, and international Christmas traditions in the city’s Winter Wonders festival and market.