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Best time to visit

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Mild weather and several famous festivals, like Tomorrowland, make April through October the best time to visit Belgium. Even though the skies are usually clear, rain can happen anytime. June through August is peak season in Belgium with invasive chords of tourists and higher rates on accommodation. However, this is also a great time to go horseback fishing in West Flanders, to hike in Ardennes, or to chill on the coast. Autumn brings in lively festivities to the country, such as the Ghent Festival of Flanders. Going to Ardennes is a good idea if you are an adherent of hunting. In the winter, try cross-country skiing. Bruges and Ghent are considered to be the best ski resorts in Belgium, so there is an excellent reason to adore the cold season.

90 things to do in Belgium

Gent Jazz Festival

July 5-20, 2024 Event

Every year, Ghent brings together jazz artists and fans

Rock Werchter

July 4-7, 2024 Event

One of the oldest rock festivals in the world is listed in European top five and boasts incredible crowds

Tomorrowland

July 19–21, 2024 | July 26–28, 2024 Event

On the eve of the first time Tomorrowland, its organizers handed out tickets for free to ensure that people would come. A few years later, the tickets were sold out in a second!

Atomium

all year round Activity

A landmark of Brussels, once called Europe's most bizzare building

Beer Lovers' Marathon

May 12, 2024 Event

Run and sip Belgium's finest brews

Ghent Festival of Flanders

September 10–26, 2024 Event

From organ music to jazz, this festival is all about diversity and creativity

Carnaval de Binche

February 11-13, 2024 Event

One of the oldest and merriest shrove traditions of Wallonie

Krakelingen & Tonnekensbrand

February 26, 2023 Event

This fire and bread feast marks the end of winter

Birdwatching

October–April Nature

In winter, parts of Belgium serve as a shelter for flocks of migratory birds

Zythos Beer Festival

April 22–23, 2023 Event

Over one hundred beer producers come to the city of Leuven every April

Sonian Forest (Zoniënwoud)

all year round Nature

“Brussels’ Lungs” is a habitat for hundreds of species

Owl Breeding Season

March–May Nature

Birdwatchers flock to Belgium every spring to observe Tengmalm’s Owl and the Eagle Owl

Belgian Waffles

all year round Food

One of the most famous Belgian products in the world

Speculoos (Speculaas)

December 6 (all year round) Food

Thin and crispy Belgian cookies for St. Nickolas’ Day

Hiking

April–October Activity

Deep forests, picturesque valleys, mountain rivers and heaths in blossom await hikers in Belgium

Caving

April–October (all year round) Activity

Belgium boasts several cave systems and underground waterways

Cuberdon

all year round Food

A cone-shaped candy is a specialty of Belgium

Moules Frites (Mosselen met Friet)

late July–early April Food

Mussels and fries is one of the most popular dishes in Belgian cuisine

White Asparagus

late April–late June Food

The “white gold” of Belgium is a favorite spring vegetable

Endive & Ham Gratin

September–May Food

A traditional dish from the rural regions of Belgium

Jenever

December (all year round) Food

A typical liquor for Christmas celebrations

Kayaking & Canoeing

April–October Activity

Discover Wallonia from the water. The whole region is crisscrossed by smaller rivers

Skiing and Snowboarding

December–February Activity

Belgium satisfies both experienced riders and beginners

Heather Blooming

late August Nature

Observe the vast Belgian moorlands covered with a violet carpet of Calluna vulgaris

Sea Lavender (Lamsoor) in the Zwin

early July–early August Nature

This plant makes the North Sea coastline and salt marshes of Belgium look alive

Cherry Blossoms in Hasselt

early April Nature

Over two hundred cherry trees bloom in Europe's largest Japanese garden

Barrio Cantina

June 7–9, 2024 Event

A Belgian Food Truck Festival travels across the Flanders region

Houtem Jaarmarkt

November 11–November 12 Event

One of the biggest and oldest open-air livestock fairs in Europe

Hanswijk Procession

May 5, 2024 Event

One of the oldest religious processions in Belgium

Deep in the Woods

September Event

A one-weekend party to escape from city life and daily routines

Meyboom

August 9 Event

Every year, a tree is erected in the city to commemorate the victory of Brussels over the city of Leuven

Horseback Shrimp Fishing

late June–early September Activity

A unique fishing tradition is still preserved in Oostduinkerke

Shrimp Season

late June–early September Food

One of the key specialties of Belgium and a favourite among locals

Horst Arts & Music Festival

May 9-11, 2024 Event

A three-day art and music festival in a former military site

Pukkelpop

August 15–18, 2024 Event

The second biggest music festival in Belgium offers four days of trendy beats

Fire is Gold Festival

September 3, 2022 Event

One of the biggest electronic music events in Belgium

Kattenstoet

May 11–12, 2024 Event

The Cat Parade takes place in Ypres every three years

Ostend Beach Festival

July 12-14, 2024 Event

The biggest beach party in Belgium

BRAFA Art Fair

January 28 - February 04 Event

One of the oldest and most prestigious fairs in Europe

Rampage

February 23-24, 2024 Event

The biggest drum&bass and dubstep party in the world

Ducasse de Mons (Doudou)

May 22–June 2, 2024 Event

The traditional village fair celebrates the victory of Saint George over the dragon

Gentse Waterzooi

November–March Food

A soup-like stew will warm you during the coldest of days

Aalst Carnaval

February 11–13, 2024 Event

Satirical and colourful celebrations for Mardi Gras

Bruges Beer Festival

September 14-15, 2024 Event

For the first weekend of February, Bruges becomes a pilgrimage site for beer-lovers

Ducasse d'Ath

August 23-26, 2024 Event

For more than 500 years, seven giants have walked through the town of Ath on the fourth Sunday of August

Brussels Jazz Weekend

May 24-26, 2024 Event

For one weekend, the heart of Brussels beats to the rhythm of jazz, which is played in every nook of the city

Giant Omelette in Malmedy

August 15 Event

Every year, the citizens of Malmedy gather to cook a huge omelette

Game Season

October–January Food

Belgian cuisine offers plenty of dishes featuring game

Couleur Café Festival

June 28-30, 2024 Event

The most exotic and colourful festival of Belgium is a mixture of urban music and contemporary art

The Labyrinth of Durbuy

July 1–October 1 Nature

Find your way out of a giant maze

Stoemp

December–February Food

A typical Belgian dish made of mashed vegetables

Magnolias in Botanic Garden Meise

late March–April Nature

Dozens of magnolia trees burst into blossoms and mark the beginning of spring

Marches of Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse

early May–late October Event

A series of traditional marches take place in the small towns of Wallonia

Jazzuary

mid- to late January Event

In January, jazz music sets the rhythm of life in Brussels

Lambic Beer

October–April Food

A unique type of beer is being brewed in a small region southwest of Brussels

Brussels Summer Festival

August 15-18, 2024 Event

Discover Belgian music with dozens of artists playing rock, pop, hip-hop and jazz

European Circus Festival

December 26, 2022–January 8, 2023 Event

World-class artists show us what the real circus is

Village de Noël de Liège

November 29-December 30, 2024 Event

Liege's Christmas Village is the biggest and oldest Christmas market in Belgium

Medieval Festival of Bouillon

August 10-11, 2024 Event

Visitors plunge into the atmosphere of the Middle Ages

Blossom Season in Haspengouw

April Nature

Pear, apple, and cherry orchards burst into blossoms for one month

Esperanzah! World Music Festival

July 26-28, 2024 Event

Three days of dancing at the abbey on the picturesque banks of the Sambre River

BD Strip Festival

September 6–8, 2024 Event

Cartoons come to life on the streets of the city

Dinant International Bathtub Regatta

August 15 Event

The unusual Belgian water race attracts participants from all over the world

Royal Greenhouses of Laeken

April 26–May 20, 2024 Nature

The private garden of the King welcomes visitors for three weeks only

Hallerbos

mid-April Nature

Every spring, millions of bluebells bloom in the Blue Forest

Ommegang Festival

July 3 & July 5, 2024 Event

The city gets occupied by thousands of medieval characters

Floralia Brussels

April 4-May 2, 2025 Event

Over one million flowers bloom in the park and greenhouses of the 12th-century castle

Brussels Chocolate Fair (Salon du Chocolat)

February 14–16, 2020 Event

A three-day event for chocolate lovers

Procession of the Holy Blood (Bruges)

May 9, 2024 Event

The colourful pageant unites the city through its history and beliefs

Flower Carpet & Flowertime

August 15–18, 2024 Event

Every year, the center of Belgium's capital gets covered with flowers

Dour Festival

July 17-21, 2024 Event

The biggest and most popular music event in the French-speaking part of Belgium

Les Ardentes

July 6–9, 2023 Event

Rap, rock and hip-hop flows above the Meuse River

Ghent Light Festival

January 31–February 4, 2024 Event

When the sun goes down, thousands of lights illuminate Ghent

Pageant of the Golden Tree

August 25, 2024 Event

Every five years, a colourful festival takes over the streets of Bruges

Belgian National Day

July 21 Event

Free museums entry, a parade and fireworks are part of the celebration

Baloise Antwerp 10 Miles

April 27, 2025 Event

Every year, athletes and enthusiasts from all over Europe gather to run 6 or 16 kilometers

Meakusma Festival

August 29–September 1, 2024 Event

A festival of electronic music and video installations

Winter / Christmas Beers

December–February Food

Seasonal beers are brewed for the cold winters of Belgium

Beer Festivals

early September–late October Event

Autumn is the best time to discover the beer culture of Belgium

Brussels Christmas Market

November 29, 2024–January 5, 2025 Event

One of the best and largest holiday markets in Europe

Antwerp Christmas Market

December 8–January 7 Event

The brightly decorated historic city center of Antwerp looks stunning during the holidays

Belgium's Christmas Markets

late November–early January Event

Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of winter holidays and savor mouth-watering Belgian delicacies

Brussels New Year's Eve

December 31 Event

Watch the fireworks near the Atomium or explore Brussels' best nightclubs

Belgian Beer Weekend

September 6-8, 2024 Event

Over 450 beers during one weekend in the center of Brussels

Bruges Christmas Markets

November 22, 2024–January 5, 2025 Event

A special occasion full of the festive hustle and bustle, Belgian delicacies, and authentic holiday gifts

Ghent Christmas Market

December 5-31, 2024 Event

Enjoy the amazing atmosphere during the holiday season

Winterland Hasselt Christmas Market

November 15, 2024–January 5, 2025 Event

Kolonel Dusartplein transforms into a true winter wonderland for over seven weeks

Vredefeesten Balloon Festival Sint-Niklaas

September 6–8, 2024 Event

The weekend full of fun and hot air balloons at Grote Markt in Sint-Niklaas

Belgian Air Force Days

September 12-13, 2026 Event

The impressive aerial acrobatics of fighter jets, vintage cars, and helicopters

Jazz Middelheim

November 16, 2024 | June 6–9, 2025 Event

An annual summer jazz fest at the charming Middelheim Park in Antwerp

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