What’s on 18 Dec-7 Jan 2026
Welcome to a bumper Christmas and New Year edition of your Simply Bruges newsletter. We wish our readers a happy Christmas, a peaceful New Year, and plenty of cosy Bruges moments in between!
⭐🎄 Christmas Top Picks
Winter Glow – Bruges’ full winter festival of lights, ice skating, winter bar and Christmas markets – runs daily across the historic centre until 4 Jan, with late opening hours and free buses on many shopping days.
Christmas markets on Markt and ’t Zand stay open until 4 Jan, then Bruges gently shifts from festive bustle into a quieter, still beautifully lit winter city – ideal for slower strolls and museum visits.
Dalí Cybernetics at Oud Sint‑Jan is open throughout the holiday period (check 25 Dec / 1 Jan hours), offering an immersive art experience that works for teens and adults when you want a break from the mulled wine.
🎨 🎻 🧺 Art, Music & Markets
Dalí Cybernetics – Oud Sint-Jan
Large-format projections, multimedia and Dalí works make this one of Bruges’ most striking winter exhibitions; it is highlighted in the city’s official “What’s on” as a key Christmas‑holiday show. Dali Cybernetics
Winter exhibitions & city museums
Winter showings continue including AiR Biekorf 10.0: Vivid Waves (Joke Raes), ceramic exhibition Atelier Scralan and historical displays like Anselm Adornes: Knight, merchant, diplomat & pilgrim – all good indoor options between market visits. https://www.visitbruges.be/en/whats-on/events-calendar
Christmas markets & weekly markets
Winter Glow’s Christmas markets (until 4 Jan) are concentrated on Markt and Simon Stevin/’t Zand, typically open daily from around 10:00 to 22:00, with slightly shorter hours on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and limited opening on 25 Dec and 1 Jan. https://www.visitbruges.be/en/winter-glow
The regular Saturday market at ’t Zand and Wednesday market on Markt continue with fresh produce and flowers; check locally for any holiday‑week time tweaks due to Winter Glow infrastructure.
https://www.visitbruges.be/en/things-to-do/shopping/markets-in-bruges
🎬 🎭 Stage, Screen, and Scene
December Dance & festive stage
December Dance 25 continues across Concertgebouw and Brugge Cultural Centre into the holidays, with contemporary dance under the Pina Bausch‑inspired motto “Dance, dance, otherwise we are lost”. The programme spans performances, talks and films – ideal for a culture‑heavy day out.
https://www.concertgebouw.be/en/december-dance-25
Holiday concerts & Christmas services
There are Christmas concerts including choir performances such as Kerstconcert koor Bryghia Cantat in atmospheric historic churches; these can be a lovely way to experience local choral traditions in the days around Christmas and New Year.
https://www.brugge.be/activiteiten/kerstconcert-2025-koor-bryghia-cantat
Cinema – Lumière & Kinepolis
Lumière Brugge (Sint‑Jakobsstraat 36) screens independent films, seasonal titles and family‑friendly options, usually with some English‑friendly programming; Kinepolis Brugge (Koning Albert I-laan 200) handles the big blockbusters and dubbed kids’ films, with extra sessions over the school holidays. Check times and book online:
⚽ Game On: Sports & Recreation
Football
There are two home games in the national Jupiler Pro league for local sides coming up at the Jan Breydel stadium. Club Brugge will play KAA Gent, 21 Dec, 13:30. Cercle will meet Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, 26 Dec, 16:00.
https://cerclebrugge.be/teams/a-team/calendar
If there’s no home game when you are here, a stadium visit is still worthwhile: Jan Breydelstadion is highlighted by Visit Bruges as a family‑friendly attraction for football fans, and tours typically include the stands, pitch‑side and club history.
Running & outdoor time
With early dusk and lights everywhere, a late‑afternoon run along the city ramparts or Minnewaterpark can be especially pretty; just watch for cobblestones and keep an eye on the weather. The local tourist office also promotes guided “Tourist Run Brugge” routes if you prefer a structured outing:
https://www.visitbruges.be/en/things-to-do/sightseeing/tourist-run-brugge
🍻🎶 Bruges After Dark: Nightlife
Cactus Music Club kicked off Christmas weekend with Dub Revolution at Cactus Club on Fri 19 Dec, featuring Jah Tubbys with Macky Banton, Equality Soundsystem with King Samir & Daddy Cookiz, and Forward Fever with Kologne – all playing on Equality Soundsystem.
https://www.cactusmusic.be/NL/Concerten/Kalender
Late‑December & New Year at Cactus
Their calendar for late December typically mixes live bands, DJ nights and special “Club Cactus” editions; keep an eye on the online listing if you’re here over New Year, as extra shows or club nights are often added close to the date.
https://www.cactusmusic.be/EN/Concerts/Calendar
Cosy bars & low‑key evenings
As you wander around the city, Bruges’ cafés and canal‑side bars lean into winter: think Trappist beers, hot chocolate and candlelight rather than loud clubs – perfect for multi‑generational groups after browsing around the markets.
🌈 Family Fun: Events & Adventures
Winter Glow
Visit Bruges explicitly promotes Winter Glow as child‑friendly, with nativity scenes, the light trail, safe skating and lots of sweet snacks along the way; many families wander the trail from about 17:00 when lights and photos are at their best.
https://www.visitbruges.be/en/whats-on
Historium Brugge – winter edition
Historium’s winter offer on Markt (story walk, VR, tower view and a Christmas‑coloured setting) is an excellent half‑day indoors, especially over the official Christmas school holidays (22 Dec–4 Jan).
https://historium.be/en/winter
LAGO Olympia & Boudewijn Seapark
LAGO Brugge Olympia, flagged by Visit Bruges as the city’s main leisure pool, is ideal on wet days, with slides, kids’ zones and wellness areas; check their holiday timetable for 24–26 Dec and 31 Dec–1 Jan.
https://www.visitbruges.be/en/things-to-do/culture-and-heritage/swimming-pool-lago-brugge-olympia
Boudewijn Seapark’s covered ice rink is another strong family option over the Christmas period – a classic way to burn off waffle energy!
https://www.boudewijnseapark.be
🌤️🌧️ Weather
Expect true winter conditions: daytime highs around 3–7°C, nights near or below freezing, and a good chance of drizzle or light rain on several days, especially up to New Year. Dress in layered, waterproof clothing, with hats and gloves for evening market visits.
Foggy mornings and clear, cold nights are common at this time, adding to the atmosphere but making sturdy shoes important on cobbles and bridges. The upside: crisp air, glowing lights and plenty of excuses to duck into cafés between Winter Glow stops.
For up to date forecasts, visit: https://www.meteo.be/en/belgium