Winter cheer: Festivals, music, family activities and light trails brighten up the cold season

There’s no better way to survive the bleak midwinter than to experience a seasonal light display or festive concert or show.

Belgium boasts some glittering attractions to make the dark nights merry and bright. From carol music and flaming fires to family end-of-year spectacles and winter-themed parks, there’s lots in store to kick those seasonal blues.

BRUSSELS

The annual illuminations gracing the capital’s shopping streets have a new name, Enjoy BXL by lights. Some 1,000 festive garlands are festooned around 180 thoroughfares for a fairytale atmosphere during the holiday season. Until 4 January, city centre & Laeken

The circus is back in town! Alexandre Bouglione is already entertaining the crowds under a big top in the Brussels Expo carpark before moving to Flagey for its traditional Christmas show. The programme –  completely without animals – is designed to thrill and entertain all ages. Until 7 December (Brussels Expo, Laeken); 18 December to 4 January, Place Flagey (Ixelles)

Step inside Charlie’s magical toy shop in Paris, where mechanical dolls and toys come to life after dark. The Magic Toyshop is the Bruocsella Symphony Orchestra’s seasonal concert for children. Conducted by Patrick Valls, multi-lingual performances feature an all-star cast and crew with Jolijn Antonissen directing, soloists Jan Debski, Thomas Servranckx and Sarah Leclère and choreographers Irina Yakousheva, Leen Vander Aa and Simon Charlier. The BSO collaborates with Akademie Meise  for this festive treat. 6 December 16.00 (NL), 19.00 (Fr); 7 December 14.00 (Eng), 17.00 (Fr), W:Halll Auditorium, Avenue Charles Thielemans 93 (Woluwe-Saint-Pierre)

Family favourites The Snowman and Peter and the Wolf fill the programme of the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra’s annual Children's Charity Christmas Concert. David Navarro-Turres conducts, Mary Gow is at the piano and Sarah Watkinson narrates. To order tickets (€25/15 children under 12 years), email bxlsnowman@gmail.com. 7 December 15.00 & 17.30, Novum Theatre, Rue Eudore Devroy 2 (Etterbeek)

The Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra’s New Year’s concert Feu d’artifice d’Arias is a flamboyant celebration with renowned arias by Rossini, Verdi, Donizetti and Puccini. Dance pieces by Tchaïkovsky, Dvořák and Strauss II complement the programme. The orchestra conducted by David Navarro-Turres is joined by soprano Elise Gäbele. 19 December 20.15, Novum Theatre Rue Eudore Devroy 2 (Etterbeek)

An orchestra of international musicians and a choir of multi-lingual schoolchildren come together for the Brussels Carol Concert, a holiday highlight in the capital. With the Winter Dreams Orchestra conducted by David Navarro Turres, Mary Gow on piano and organ, the concert brings together well-loved holiday carols - not excluding a bit of a sing-along - with this year’s guest soloist Amalia Avalan. Proceeds go to the Foetal Medicine Centre at Brugmann children’s hospital. 13 December 17.00, Eglise St Marc, Avenue De Fré 76 (Uccle)

Noël au Théâtre is a longstanding theatre festival that fills that potentially empty space between Christmas Day and New Year. Targeting the whole family, the title of the event refers to the time of year, not the themes of the multiple shows staged in 12 venues around the city. On the ambitious programme for the 43rd edition is a show without dialogue, L’Inconnue (pictured) by Barroco, a dance piece exploring the imaginary (5+) and Et encore t’as rien vu by nonprofit Fast, a contemporary tale about adolescent sensitivities (14+), among other highlights. 26-30 December, across Brussels

The Cathedral of Saint Michel & Saint Gudula is the setting for a Midnight Mass Christmas Concert. It features Marc-Antoine Charpentier's four-voice mass, based on the melodies of 10 French Christmas carols. The unique organ version was composed in 1694. Performed by  the Ensemble Voces Desuper, organists Bart Jacobs and Xavier Deprez and soloists, the concert is an end-of-year tradition dedicated to comfort and hope. 29 December 20.00-21.30, Place Sainte-Gudule

Panto enlivens the post-holiday season with Puss in Boots staged at Auderghem Cultural Centre. The ECC pantomime production is a magical tale of cats, ogres, millers and postmen. When hero Tom is tricked out of his inheritance by his wicked but not very bright brothers Dick and Harry, he sets out to make his fortune with nothing but a feline to keep him company. The classic family favourite is especially adapted for Belgian audiences and is full of laughs, songs and hilarious entertainment. 30 January to 1 February, Boulevard du Souverain 183 (Auderghem)

Bright Brussels Festival once again transforms the European capital in the depths of winter. More than 20 original art installations from Belgium and abroad spotlight iconic locations in the city. The light trail guides visitors from Brussels to the Royal Theatre of La Monnaie, passing by numerous heritage sites. As well as a Bright Brussels Market, kids zone and cafe, the 10th edition also presents a culinary programme in collaboration with Bright Brussels Food. 12-15 February, city-centre

WALLONIA

Rixensart Chateau hosts a Garden of Lights this winter: an illumination extravaganza dedicated to the world of the Smurfs. It boasts more than 40 attractions, from characters and bright lanterns to multimedia shows. The interactive tour, inspired by the world-famous Belgian comic-strip characters is especially designed for families. Until 15 February, Rue de l’Eglise 30, Rixensart (Brabant Walloon)

Dinant Lumière lights up the pretty Mosan town with concerts, markets, parades and shows throughout its streets, squares and waterfront. As night falls, the illuminated trail highlights five iconic landmarks, all adding much-needed colour to the season. Until 3 January, town centre, Dinant

There is a theatrical touch to festivities in the city centre of Namur. Le Funky Karaoke walking tour invites the public to don headsets and follow seasoned actors and entertainers Nicolas Buysse and Ingrid Heiderscheidt around passageways, squares and the quayside of the Walloon capital. The audience will get a chance to join in the musical show: lyrics are beamed on to walls and facades along the way. Tickets are selling fast! 3-30 December 19.00, Place du Théâtre 2, Namur

Family amusement park Walibi Winter opens over the Christmas holiday season with themed zones and festive sparkle. Its new seasonal Northern Dock space 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 spin around an indoor ice rink. 6 December to 4 January, Boulevard de l’Europe 100, Wavre

The third edition of Mons en lumières illuminates not only the Hainaut capital but the science activity centre SPARKOH! Fusing art and technology, the emotive experience is entirely free. It highlights the historic centre of Mons as well as the Borinage region’s former industrial site. For 2026, the trail is themed Entering the light. A need to illuminate the world. It includes light installations and projections, designed in collaboration with local artists and businesses (2025 edition pictured). 22-25 January (Mons city centre) & 12-14 February (SPARKOH!), Rue de Mons 3, Framerie, 18.00-midnight, Hainaut province

FLANDERS

Knokke-Heist transforms into a Scandinavian paradise for the winter holidays. Visitors to the coastal resort can hone their skating skills on an indoor ice rink, enjoy lively parades in the streets and be entertained by a new show, Aurora, at the Grand Casino. The Nordic theme continues in a Viking village and Gift House, while Scandi decor injects a winter atmosphere across the town. Until 18 January, multiple venues, Knokke-Heist

Ostend boasts a unique 4km light trail, Lichtgolf, that immerses visitors in an original soundscape via individual headphones. Art, sound and light fuse in this maritime story narrated by Jutta, a young Ostend shipwreck collector. She leads visitors through a bittersweet fable about the sea, memory and hidden treasures. The trail incorporates seven landmark locations, including the Vistrap, the Mercator, Leopold Park, the Kursaal and the James Ensor House. Departure point: Ostend Tourism Office Until 4 January (except 24 & 25 December, 1 January), 16.30-21.00, Monacoplein 2, Ostend

While Ghent’s castle isn’t wholly authentic, it certainly makes for a good atmosphere at Christmas with enchanting lighting, festive decoration and merry music. Inside is an incredibly cosy winter bar and funny audio stories told by stand-up comedian Wouter Deprez. 5 December to 4 January, Sint-Veerleplein 11

See a Christmas story acted out as you slip from one room to another in one of six castles in the region for Kerstmagie. Aartselaar, Hingene, Laarne, Sint-Truiden, Westerlo and Wijnendale all open their abundantly decorated and light-festooned halls, where elves flit about getting ready for Christmas. Kids can visit with Santa when they finally happen upon him. The experience promises a burst of sights, sounds and lights, fun for children and adults alike. 7-28 December, across Belgium

Putteke Winter is staged in forested recreation areas, with the final venue, Zilvermeer, Mol, promising evenings full of fire, food, light installations, live music and mysterious figures. 12-13 December, Flanders

The Meise Botanical Garden sparkles at the end of the year thanks to Light Festival Floridylle, a trail of site-specific light installations entitled An enchanting journey from stardust to flower. The fairy-tale light spectacle begins with the spark of the Big Bang and follows the Earth’s evolution from graceful magnolias to today’s breathtaking floral splendour. Stroll through the illuminated greenhouses, past the elegant Balat Greenhouse and on to the castle. There is also a convivial winter village with food and drinks. 18 December to 4 January, Nieuwelaan 38, Meise

Flemish TV VRT’s annual Warmste Week fundraiser raises money in all manner of ways to support organisations that address this year’s theme: invisible illnesses. The week culminates in a series of free open-air concerts and DJs in the week leading up to Christmas. Citizens will also approach the stage to turn in the funds they have raised and share their experiences about being invisibly ill. 18-24 December, Cosmogolem Park, Genk

Be blown away by the show Tumulte put on by French company KaRNaVIrES in Kortrijk, where music, circus and particularly fire come together in creative, exciting ways. Their free event Feux D’Hiver begins with the Night of Light fire spectacle that starts in Conservatory Park before moving through the city via Casino Garden and Grand Market before ending in Beguinage Park. 20 December 18.30, Koning Albertpark, Kortrijk

Bokrijk open-air museum in Limburg throws quite a party between Christmas and New Year, with fire performers, light installations, theatre, music and acrobatics. Winterlicht offers a magical music show with O’Contraire and another surprising performance by Cirque Mécanique about Swan Lake’s Siegfried and Odette that blends ballet, acrobatics, music, light and fire (pictured). Finally, there are fairground attractions to keep younger audiences endlessly amused. 26-30 December, Bokrijklaan 1, Genk

For more information about holiday festivities in Belgium, see Festive cheer: The Christmas market season kicks off across Belgium | The Bulletin

Photos: (main image) ©Mons En Lumieres; Barroco-Norma-Berardi ©UTICK-CARRE; Rixensart ©Peyo @Garden of Light; Winter-Zone Northern dock ©Walibi; ©Dinant Lumière; Mons en Lumières ©HDR Chris; Lichtgolf @Nick Decombel Fotografie; Gent ©Jan Matthys;  courtesy Kerstmagiestmagie; Feux d’Hiver 2023 ©JonasVerbeke