CHRISTMAS MARKET 2010 IN BRUSSELS

Each year there is a big Christmas market in Brussels, called "Plaisirs hiver" (Winter Wonders) It has started in 2002 and over the years it had become bigger and bigger and has now 240 stalls extended over 2 km length, from the Grand' Place til the Marché au Poissons (fishermarket). Around 2.5 million visitors from all over the world come to Brussels to visit the Christmas market. English tour operators ranked the Brussels Christmas market the "most original" in Europe.

The history of Christmas markets goes back to the Late Middle Ages in the German speaking part of Europe. The Dresden Christmas market, first held in 1434, is one of the oldest Christmas markets. It attracts between 1.5 and 2 million visitors a year and has over 250 stalls. The Bautzen Christmas market was even older, first being mentioned in records in 1384.


The Grand' Place with the Christmas tree which comes each year from another country. In the evening there is a light and sound show going on, which makes the old buildings even more beautiful.



A nativity scene with wax figures and real sheeps is also built up on this place.



"Make a wish" was collecting money for very sick children



The whole place looked very festive



From the Grand Place you arrive at the stock market where the first stalls begin



Some street animation



As it is not allowed to smoke inside restaurants, the owners found a solution, they installed heated terraces where people savored oisters, snails or typical Christmas plates from all countries.



Of course Brussels' laces are not missing, although I wonder if I would use this pretty apron in a kitchen !



Stalls after stalls with all kind of handmade articles or Christmas ornaments


These are glass animals



Jewelry, slippers, scarfs and caps



Games to play, here you had to "fish" a Christmas ball



The little Orchestra were Englishmen from near London. They played Christmas music, and people enjoyed the ice skating and the giant wheel








There was all kind of sweets, biscuits, Belgian chocolate and wafels and lots of stalls with mulled wine, pure or with something more strong in it.

There was also a very big stall with Morrocan specialities, to make some promotion for Morocco and you could eat a delicous couscous there.
And for once we had a white Christmas.

more participants here