Brussels’ Winter Wonders has been named the best Christmas market in the world by Big 7 Travel. Known as “Winterpret” in Dutch and “Plaisirs d’Hiver” in French, the traditional market set up in the Belgian capital was ranked first among the top 50 Christmas markets in the world beating locations such as Berlin, Chicago, and Dresden. The mayor of Brussels, Philippe Close and the alderwoman for Culture and Events, Delphine Houba, expressed their delight at hearing the news.
“This is a real recognition for Winter Wonders,” said Houba in a press statement. “We would not be here without Brussels Major Events and all their teams who are extraordinarily creative and constantly do a great job. Thank you to them for their excellent work which is once again rewarded and recognized worldwide.”
Among the other cities in the top 10, Big 7 Travel mentions Birmingham, Vienna, Dresden, Krakow, Gallway, Zagreb and Sibiu. Some of the markets obtaining recognition in neighboring countries were Cologne ranked 16th, Valkenburg 24th, Strasbourg 26th, and Amsterdam 48th.
According to Close and Houba, Big 7 Travel praised Winter Wonders in particular for its chalets that surround the Grand-Place illuminated and decorated with its 18-meter high tree, the ice rink in the city center, the Ferris wheel in Sainte-Catherine or the traditional Nativity scene.
It is also the 360° audiovisual performances, films and concerts that make this Christmas market exceptional.
Delphine Houba, alderwoman for Culture and Major Events
“Over 200 chalets crowd around the gorgeous Grand Place, illuminated by colorful twinkling lights. From here, the festival spreads across the centre with an ice rink, a big wheel, a traditional life-size Nativity scene and an 18-meter Christmas tree,” the website reads.
Winter Wonders will take place in Brussels from November 25th, 2022 to January 1st, 2023. Last year, roughly 2.5 million visitors flocked to the illuminated stalls in downtown Brussels. During the previous edition, the most popular Christmas market received its visitors with merchants, traders, last minute gifts and other authentic products.
The area near the old Fish Market (Vismet) is where most of the chalets are concentrated. They offer all sorts of sweet and savory foods and gifts, each more original than the last. Between purchases, visitors can take advantage of numerous activities such as the Giant Wheel, the ride and much more. The square near the old Stock Exchange will be once again illuminated at the front and back with numerous chalets offering all kinds of dishes.
This year the Place de la Monnaie is being transformed into an après-ski village. Three artificial curling rinks are being set up here, surrounded by chalets offering typical mountain food and drink, along with a wide range of sweets and other treats to delight those with a sweet tooth.
Place De Brouckère will host the ice rink and numerous chalets and covered terraces, thus creating a warm and friendly mini-village. Here, the traders are using reusable tableware for the first time, thereby participating in a first test which augments the many existing sustainability measures.
Situated behind the Saint Catherine’s Church, the Black Tower is an unmissable stage of the Winter Wonders tour. Canada is well represented here: Quebec reconnects with fans of typical products, including the legendary Poutine, and the “Quebec First Nations” showcase their treasures. All these delights are accompanied by the bewitching voices of the choirs.
In the heart of Winter Wonders, the now must-see Stella Pavilion welcomes visitors in an attractive atmosphere and invites them to take the time to savor this local beer.
