Best of Brussels in December

Our December edition of Best of Brussels is here! As always, we bring you a carefully selected list of cosy and festive activities as well as some of the newest expos and entertainment tips around the city.

Winter Wonders are back!

Dreaming of a white and cold Christmas? Mark your calendars because Winter Wonders starts on Friday 28 November with the illumination of the Christmas Tree in Grand-Place at 18h. This year, it is designed by Belgian artist Jean-Paul Lespagnard and the lights and music show will take place every evening from 17 to 22h.

Sainte Catherine, La Bourse and De Brouckère will host more than 230 chalets with gifts and food, the traditional ice-rink, the Ferris wheel and merry-go-rounds until 1 January, with Place De Brouckère continuing until Sunday, 4 January 2026.

The event is open daily from noon to 22h, except on 24 and 31 December and 4 January, when closing time is 18h. On those days, there will be no sound and light show at the Grand-Place.

This year, Place de la Monnaie transforms into an even more magical spot. A variety of chalets will offer tasty dishes, gift ideas and fun activities for all ages. Extending from this festive area is a monumental upcycled structure, created in collaboration with the Royal Theatre of La Monnaie, featuring nine two-metres Christmas trees made entirely from recycled materials. Each tree represents a creative workshop, showcasing artistic craftsmanship and the value of re-use.

Behind Sainte-Catherine Church, the Tour Noire area becomes a children’s village. The Candy Cane theme decorates the roofs, the tree and the entrance arches, creating a fairytale atmosphere. Visit Santa’s Chalet, where creative workshops take place and both Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus stop by for unforgettable encounters. Each day, local artists and the Winter Vox choirs (on weekends) offer free performances and activities, making this a hidden gem not to be missed during your visit to Winter Wonders.

Nestled at the foot of the Giant Wheel, Place Poelaert joins Winter Wonders for the very first time. This year it hosts a mini-Christmas village filled with festive spirit, inviting visitors to take a gourmet break in a warm and welcoming setting, surrounded by sweet treats, comforting drinks and a stunning view over Brussels.

Brussels Cathedral celebrates 800 years

Celebrate the anniversary of the Saints Michael and Gudula Cathedral with a spectacular sound and light show that takes you deep into the secrets of the legendary monument. A true masterpiece of Brabantine Gothic, the cathedral has dominated Brussels since the 13th century. 

LUMINISCENCE is unique sensory journey where light and live music unite to bring eight centuries of history back to life. Monumental 360 degrees video mapping projections transform the stone into a living work of art along with region’s finest choirs performing the great classics of Gregorian music. Shows start on 11 December and run Wednesdays and Fridays until March to celebrate the Gudula Year 2026.

Exhibitions, art, architecture, design…

First tip of the month: Venture outside of Brussels for a quick culture trip – La Boverie in Liège is hosting a major retrospective devoted to Robert Doisneau, one of the greatest masters of 20th-century photography. Nearly 400 images, ranging from his early work in the 1930s to the end of his career, are featured in a rich and sensitive display.

Georges Meurant meets Bonolo Kavula is new permanent room for modern & contemporary art at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium (RMFAB) with displays that will change twice a year. Until March 2026.

‘KNOTT so MAD’ at MAD Brussels, a new immersive retrospective celebrates 25 years of JEANPAULKNOTT. Jean-Paul Knott, a unique figure in Belgian fashion, has pursued a quest for balance between rigor and freedom, form and movement, body and spirit. His fashion, imbued with natural elegance and sincerity, reveals clothing as a space of presence and emotion rather than a mere object of trend. From 28 November.

Spanish master Goya takes over Bozar with the exhibition Luz y Sombra (light and shadow) bringing his groundbreaking oeuvre into dialogue with work by contemporaries and artists from later generations. Until 11 January, find all info here.

New exhibition Biblioteca Nacional by Elsa Paricio opened in the Project Space of the Villa Empain. For the first time in Belgium, the Spanish artist presents a series of works on paper, videos, and installations. The original scenography, specially created for the exhibition, revolves around the monumental work Biblioteca Nacional, a poetic accumulation of traces, a memory in the making.

Performative and multidisciplinary arts, shows…

Music events stay strong this month with concerts by international stars like Tom Odell, Il Volo, Big Time Rush, Lambrini Girls or Belgian own’s diva Lara Fabian, just to name a few! There is a concert for everyone! Check the unique selection of festivals, concerts and parties all around Brussels and Belgium in our December music agenda.

The Music Chapel Festival brings over “The Four Elements – earth, water, air and fire – each with their own sound, energy and colour. On the programme: numerous chamber music concerts and opportunities to cheer on the MuCH Soloists. On 5-6 December in Flagey. Reserve your tickets here. 

We call it Ballet arrives in Brussels with spectacular versions of Sleeping Beauty and Peter Pan. Rediscover these iconic tales through a luminous ballet, performed by dancers in phosphorescent costumes in Espace Lumen from 13 December.

Do you prefer Ed Sheeran or Coldplay? Can’t decide? The newest Candlelight show lights up hits by both artists in Théâtre du Vaudeville on 29 November, 27 December and 4 January.

Coudenberg Sound Box Fest 2025 is a unique festival in a historical place taking place beneath the streets of Brussels, at the ruins of Charles V’s palace – transformed since 2021 into a bold sound laboratory. This unique festival taking place from 24 November to 14 December merges early music with contemporary voices, breaking boundaries and blending heritage with innovation. Get your tickets here.

From Brussels to the World

New in town! Back to Pompeii exhibition in Brussels opens on 19 December at Tour & Taxis. The expo will take visitors back in time to Pompeii, the ancient city that was frozen in time by the Vesuvius.

Last days to visit Autoworld’s newest exhibition German Tuners, featuring 15 iconic vehicles from the 80s and the 90s, including a Treser’s Quattro Roadster, Mattig’s Manta Manta and Buchmann’s Rainbow Porsche displayed until 14 December.

Fly to South Africa with the photo exhibition What’s The Word? Johannesburg!, hosted by A Foundation. The exhibition reflects how those themes still resonate today. Through the eyes of nine young South African photographers, the show reveals the city’s pulse – its tensions, hopes, and resilience – through themes like identity, love, spirituality, and family. Until 21 December.

EU Quarter tips

In December, the festive season takes over Tuesday Lunch Tours at the House of European History discussing food, drinks and gifts. The tours are in English and last 45 minutes. Free of charge and no booking required. Start at the Family Kiosk.

The Info Hub at the European Parliament is continuing with its series of lunchtime concerts on Tuesdays. The concerts are set to keep the melodies flowing through autumn and winter, bringing a touch of harmony and relaxed flair into the busy EU Quarter. Until 16 December, free access.

The House of European History also hosts their first ever photography exhibition, titled Presence of the Past. A European album. The documentary photo expo reveals how people across Europe engage with the past in their everyday lives. Open until January 2026. Discover more

Community / clubs / networking events

This autumn, The Nine invites you to step into a marketplace with purpose where each purchase tells a story and contributes to a more equal, conscious future. Whether you’re browsing, connecting, or celebrating, the Conscious Winter Market is a chance to support visionary entrepreneurs and leave with gifts that truly matter. On 28 and 29 November.

Brussels Ideas Festival is back from 28 to 30 November. This year the theme is resist. There will be a variety of activities driven by inspiring and thought-provoking ideas and conversations.

Family-friendly activities

At Flagey, plenty of kids-friendly activities take place during the month of December. From concerts to cinema, families can find their favourites in the holidays program for juniors.

This festive season you can get lost in the World of Mind (WOM) museum, an extraordinary fusion of science, magic, and sensory exploration. Spanning an impressive 1,500 m², WOM immerses you in a world where perception and imagination intertwine, challenging our understanding of reality. ✨ Expect three magical weekends for Christmas (20–21 & 27–28 December, 3–4 January) with two exceptional family magic shows. 🎩

On 10 December, the Read at the Museum activity at Design Museum Brussels offers a special reading experience within “Design and Comics: Living in a Box,” for children aged 7 and up.

Dive in the wonder of opera with the whole family! On December 13th, the tour guides will take you behind the scenes at La Monnaie, from the Grand Hall to the Workshops.

Potted Potter show condenses all seven Harry Potter books – as well as an actual Quidditch match – into just 70 minutes of unbridled humor. In a play driven by irresistible comic energy and a generous dose of magic. Throughout December at the Viage.

Brussels City Hall on the Grand Place offers more than just a photo opportunity for young explorers and their parents. Until 31 December, step inside the storied halls with the help of an innovative children’s parcours – part treasure hunt, part architectural deep-dive, brought to life through smart, interactive video guides. The experience is immersive, multilingual and entirely self-paced, making it fun & engaging for all generations.

Just nearby, the Grand Brussels Christmas Circus by Alexandre Bouglione lands in Flagey Square from 18 December to 4 January with an all-new performance specially designed for the holiday season. Be amazed by the acts of international artists, including illusionists, jugglers, trapeze artists, and clowns, who will deliver unforgettable moments! 100% human-made and without animals.

GAIA presents an animal-friendly alternative to traditional zoos. Zoo of the Future is an immersive, educational, and ethical experience for young and old in Tour & Taxis until 30 December. 

Holiday gift ideas for Brussels:
If you’re craving cultural experiences and want to support Brussels’ vibrant arts and creative sector, consider gifting tickets to the institutions you love. It’s a great way to treat yourself or someone special, whether it’s for theatre, music, or discovering a new kind of artistic experience.

Still looking for inspiration? La Monnaie has just released tickets for all remaining operas this season and music lovers can already explore the 2025–2026 concert season pass. If you are more into architecture, Brussels Museums offers its popular Art Nouveau Pass while city explorers & museum enthusiasts might want to check the Brussels card which gives free admission to 48 museums, plus discounts to the best attractions, guided tours and more.

Also happening this month: 

• New expo in BOZAR highlights the work of John Baldessari, a prominent conceptual artist. Known for his paintings combining art historical references with Hollywood film stills, he blurred visual boundaries and developed a complex narrative language tinged with humour.
• Brussels Fashion Days is a multidisciplinary fashion event celebrating Belgian fashion designers with fashion shows, exhibitions, pop-up shops, workshops, installations… the 6,000 m² of Espace Vanderborght will become a playground for designers, brands, and fashion enthusiasts. From 28 November to 14 December in Espace Vanderborght.
• The Boghossian Foundation in Villa Empain presents Fire, an exhibition that brings together around fifty modern and contemporary artists from diverse backgrounds around the captivating theme of fire. Until March 2026.
• MAURICE, Tristesse et rigolade is a moving testimony that tells the story of a struggle — one man’s battle with illness — and of a rebirth, carried by the love of a daughter. This visual and poetic narrative resonates as a timeless tribute from Belgian photographer Charlotte Abramow to her father, Maurice. At Hangar. Until 21 December.
• (Re)discover the unique universe of Frida Kahlo with the immersive exhibition Viva Frida Kahlo. Dedicated to the work and life of the world-famous Mexican artist, dive into a new and emotionally powerful 360° experience right in the heart of Brussels, at the Viage.
• Fashion & Lace Museum hosts an expo about STIJL, the iconic boutique located on Dansaertstraat, which played an important part in writing the story of fashion in our city. 40+ Years of Stijl is the story of a boutique, a neighbourhood, a burgeoning creative scene and an art movement with an international influence. Until 10 January.
• ART DECO. Style in a changing society at Belvue museum. The King Baudouin Foundation is showcasing Art Deco pieces from its collection, offering a captivating journey through sculptures by renowned artists such as Marcel Wolfers and Oscar Jespers, vases by Charles Catteau, glassware by Val Saint Lambert, decorative tiles, stylised book bindings, furniture, medals, and much more. Until January 2026.
• For this year dedicated to Art Deco, Maison Autrique hosts expo Loisirs-Plezier Brussels 1920-1940. Explore the leisure and daily life of Brussels’ residents during the interwar period.
• Art Deco 1925 >< Mode 2025 in Halles Saint-Géry offering a reinterpretation of Art Deco through the prism of 10 Brussels designers.
• The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium presents Spilliaert Room, a new room dedicated to the poetic and mysterious world of the Belgian painter, illustrator and draughtsman Léon Spilliaert.
• As part of Art Deco Year, an exhibition at the Design Museum portrays The Art Déco period of the Baucher-Feron couple. It explores the archival material of the couple’s design of textiles, lighting, objects, carpets and furniture during their trips between Paris and Brussels, with a focus on this constellation of Art Deco characters and retail enterprises.
• Art Pops expo at the Belfius Art Centre on Place Rogier. These annual exhibitions on the top floor of Belfius building have become an unmissable addition to the art scene in the Belgian capital.
• The City of Mons hosts the exhibition David Hockney. The Song of the Earth at the CAP, a polyphonic journey combining painting, music and poetry with Gustav Mahler’s symphony as its guiding thread. Until 25 January 2026.

For more festivals, concerts, parties and music events in Brussels and around the country, find complete information on BrusselsMusicAgenda.com