City of Brussels to decide on fate of Winter Wonders event

The City of Brussels on Thursday will announce whether or not the annual event Winter Wonders will start on Friday as planned. Stallholders, meanwhile, are busy putting the finishing touches on their displays across the city centre.

The fate of the 15th edition of Brussels' biggest Christmas and winter-themed event – set to take place from 27 November through 3 January – is up in the air due to the increased terror alert level in the city.

"We are in daily contact with the police, the Coordinating Body for Threat Analysis (OCAM) and other security authorities to determine whether we are able to take the necessary measures to keep the event safe," a spokesperson for tourism minister Philippe Close told brusselnieuws.be.

Winter Wonders is a major event spread over the Marché aux poissons, Place Sainte-Catherine, La Monnaie and the Grand Place. This year, for the first time, it would also take place in part of the pedestrian zone on Boulevard Anspach, with Berber tents and stalls showing off the cultural and culinary traditions of guest country Tunisia.