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Antwerp Christmas Market: 2024 Dates & What to Expect (+Local’s Tips)

Antwerp Christmas Market: 2024 Dates & What to Expect (+Local’s Tips)

Are you thinking of visiting Antwerp Christmas Market in Belgium and wondering when it’s open, where exactly to go, and what to expect? This short guide should answer all your questions. Find out!

Christmas Markets are very popular in Belgium. But if you visit just one, which one do you choose? They all have something similar and something unique.

We live in Belgium and Antwerp Christmas Market is one of our personal favorites of all the biggest Belgium Christmas Markets, mainly because of its most spectacular setting.

In this article, you can learn more about the Antwerp Christmas market and find all the practical info and some insider tips. Read on!

TIP: If you are looking for a really special place to stay in Antwerp during the holiday season, check out the Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp! Set inside a 15th-century historical monastery complex and beautifully modernized, this is one of the most unique hotels Antwerp.

In the mid-budget range and super centrally located, we recommend the highly-rated Hotel Rubens in the heart of the old town. On a somewhat lower budget, YAYS Antwerp Opera offers an amazing price/quality at a very central location between the station and the old town and very close to the main shopping street.

READ ALSO: Where to Stay in Antwerp

Antwerp Steen castle lit at night during annual Christmas market, Belgium
Het Steen Castle in Antwerp
 

Where to Find Antwerp Christmas Market

Antwerp Christmas market is normally spread over different squares in the historic city center: The Grote Markt, Suikerrui, Handschoenmarkt, the Groenplaats, and Steenplein at the foot of Antwerp Steen Castle.

Recently, there have been some big works at Steenplein, so that location is replaced by two new ones: Hendrik Conscienceplein, a cozy square in the old town, and also Operaplein, which is located halfway between the central railway station and the old town.

These are one by one the nicest places in Antwerp, so the Christmas Market setting is always very picturesque and cozy.

Grote Markt buildings lit at night during Antwerp Christmas market
The buildings of Grote Markt
Christmas decorations in Antwerp Belgium
Christmas decorations near Operaplein.
 

When is Antwerp Christmas Market Open

The Christmas market in Antwerp is an annual event, and it’s usually open from the first weekend of December until the first weekend of January.

In the 2024-2025 winter season, the Antwerp Christmas market will be open from December 6, 2024, until January 5, 2025.

During this period, Antwerp Christmas Market is normally open daily, from noon to 10 PM. On Fridays and Saturdays, it’s open until midnight. On December 24th and 31st, the market closes at 6 PM.

On the first day the Christmas Market opens, it’s typically open from 4 PM to midnight, and there are some special events to celebrate the opening. On the very last day of the Christmas Market, it closes at 6 PM.

Christmas Market on the Grote Markt in Antwerp
Christmas Market on the Grote Markt in Antwerp
 

What to expect when visiting Antwerp Christmas Market

Antwerp Christmas Market typically has over a hundred market stalls and is spread out over some of the most beautiful locations in the city center.

Just by walking from one place to the other, you will see many of the main landmarks in the old town.

The atmosphere is great and even if you don’t buy anything, you can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or a glass of glühwein, taste some Belgian waffles and smoutebollen, or go ice skating.

Antwerp Christmas market and ice skating rink
Ice skating rink in Antwerp
 

You can easily visit Antwerp Christmas Market with your friends, family, or young children as there is plenty to do for all ages.

A fair with some children’s rides and a Ferris Wheel is usually located at the Scheldt River next to the Castle. In some years, they move it to Astripdplein, the big square next to the Zoo in front of the Central Station.

The ice skating rink can usually be found on the Groenplaats (location varies in some years). There are plenty of other family-friendly activities in the city to keep you entertained during the day as well (zoo, aquarium, museums,..).

TIP: See our guide to Antwerp with kids for some inspiration for fun things to do in the city (not just for families!).

READ ALSO: Why Antwerp Is Well Worth Visiting

Antwerp Ferris Wheel and Christmas market lit at night
Antwerp Ferris Wheel and Christmas market
 

Antwerp in winter

If you are looking for a short winter getaway in Europe, Antwerp is a great choice. It has plenty to offer for young and old.

Antwerp is the home base of Rubens, the world diamond center, it also provides some of the best shopping in Belgium. in addition, you can find some fun experiences like a local food tour or a city brewery tour.

Furthermore, there are lots of dining options for any budget, all in a beautiful historical setting. Add the warm Christmas atmosphere and you cannot go wrong with visiting Antwerp in December.

For some more ideas on what to see and do in Antwerp, make sure to check our city guides below!

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Antwerp & The Hidden Gems of Antwerp

For families: In the past, Antwerp Zoo organized a really nice light event called China Light. It’s absolutely worth a visit as well! Last winter, however, this event took place in Planckendael animal park which is located near Mechelen, and not in Antwerp Zoo itself. So you may have to make a separate trip if interested.

TIP: If you can, plan on spending a weekend in Antwerp and staying for at least one or two nights. That way you can experience more of what this great city has to offer. See some hotel suggestions below.

Antwerp in winter - holiday season decorations near Opera Square
Holiday decorations in Antwerp.
 

Where to stay for the Antwerp Christmas Market

Here are some of the best-rated hotels in the heart of the old town, close to everything and perfect for sightseeing and the Christmas market:

LEARN MORE: Where to Stay in Antwerp (Best Areas & Hotels)

Kids at the Grote Markt in Antwerp in winter
Greetings from Antwerp
 

If you are looking for more travel inspiration and tips for visiting Belgium, please check our other articles via the links below.

If you are planning a winter visit to Belgium, but are not sure what to expect in terms of the weather, check out our guide to traveling to Belgium in winter.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE TO VISIT Brussels Christmas Market & Bruges Christmas Market & Best European Christmas Markets – Hidden Gems

Belgium travel guides:

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

Complete guide to visiting Antwerp Christmas Market Belgium
Antwerp Christmas market in Belgium
 

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Cheyenne

Tuesday 3rd of December 2024

Hi Jurga! Appreciate this article so much for my family and I usually go out on Christmas Day itself. Are the Christmas markets open on Christmas Day, 25th December, (cuz in Cologne where we spent Christmas in 2022 they were closed)?

Cheyenne

Wednesday 4th of December 2024

@Jurga,

A gazillion thanks for the quickest reply! I just wanted to be sure hence the query. 😉 Happy holidays ahead!

Jurga

Wednesday 4th of December 2024

Hi Cheyenne, yes, as already said in the article, the market is open daily. This includes the Christmas Day itself. German Christmas markets have nothing to do with the ones in Belgium 😉.

Priyanka

Monday 21st of October 2024

Hi Jurga, I appreciate all your kind efforts to gather all this information for a holiday celebration! It is very useful!! Can you help and guide me about chocolate and diamond museums on 24th December? Will it be open? Where can I find this information? Warm regards, Priyanka.

Jurga

Monday 21st of October 2024

Hi Priyanka, you can find this information on the official websites of each place you want to visit. Some are clearer than others, I have to admit. I didn't find opening hours for Chocolate Nation for Dec 24 on their website, but I tried booking tickets for that day and got all the time slots from 10 am to 4 pm, so they are likely open at least until 5-6pm that day. The website is chocolatenation.be The Diamond Museum is open from 10 am to 3 pm on the 24th and closed on the 25th of December. Hope this helps. Enjoy Antwerp!

Mustafa

Wednesday 18th of September 2024

Good morning how are you. I wanna book a place in Christmas market I want to put my stall there. I sell jewelry. Please can you help me how to book a place there. Thanks alot. Best regards Mustafa

Jurga

Friday 27th of September 2024

For something like this you would have to check the website of the city of Antwerp. Good luck!

Phillip

Monday 20th of May 2024

Hi Jurga,

I hope you're doing well, thanks for your information ahead.

Is the above information published is correct, what's the source ?

Kindly let me know.

Jurga

Saturday 25th of May 2024

Hi Phillip, yes, of course, the dates are correct. We wouldn't publish them if we were not sure or would indicate if it's tentative. But the dates have been confirmed. As for the sources, our blog is a reputable source you can refer to ;).

Chandra

Monday 27th of November 2023

Hello, are the Christmas markets walkable from the main central station? How far away would they be from the central station? Thank yo :)

Chandra

Monday 27th of November 2023

@Jurga, thanks for the quick answer! Great blog too! That's great to know about how walkable it is. I'll be coming from Utrecht most likely.

Jurga

Monday 27th of November 2023

Hi Chandra, the Christmas Market is spread out over several different areas, but they are all in the same direction from the station and all within easy walking distance. For example, Opera Square is just 5 minutes walk, and the main square (Grote Markt) is about 25 minutes.

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