Winterland Hasselt Christmas Market 2024-2025 in Belgium

Winterland Hasselt is an annual winter event, which takes place between late November and early January in Hasselt, the capital city of Limburg. Among numerous attractions, the main highlight is the Hasselt Christmas market, held at the Kolonel Dusartplein. With about a hundred international vendors, selling exclusive Christmas gifts and delicious treats, the fair claims to be the largest one in the region.

Winterland Hasselt Christmas Market Activities and Events

Speaking about the Christmas foods, the options include both local delights, such as iconic Liège waffles and Belgian fries, and also festive treats from throughout Europe. You can savor German bratwurst, Spanish churros, Flemish beignets, and Finnish Flammlachs at one place. As for drinks, you've got an array of mulled wine and jenever bars.

In addition to Christmas shopping, Winterland Hasselt boasts various extra attractions, including an indoor ice rink, a cozy Grand Café with an Aspen Lounge, and a Christmas Ghost House. Kids will love to see Santa's House, which is a replica of the home of Santa in Rovaniemi, Finland. As a bonus, the youngest guests always get a present.

Location

After all, Hasselt is an amazing winter destination in Belgium. Feel free to browse the city and absorb the enchanting Christmas ambiance off the Kolonel Dusartplein, too. You might likewise find something special on the numerous shopping streets of the city.

Visitor Experience

To better immerse in the atmosphere of the Winterland Hasselt Christmas Market and share real experiences, rove.me spoke with Timothy Kawana from Hawaii. We asked Timothy to share the overall impression of the event.

"I attended the Christmas Market in Hasselt on New Year's Day of 2023 with my wife and 17-year-old daughter. The Market was smaller compared to those in Brussels and Antwerp but had the same type of huts that had food, Christmas crafts, and other goods for sale. There was a covered ice skating rink, a Ferris Wheel, and an antique carousel.

It was easy to find and access by car or train. It was not a problem for visitors like us who spoke English with only a few French phrases. The people at the market were very friendly and welcoming and helped us when we needed directions and had questions. The food options were plenty and things that you found in Belgian markets like poffertjes and raclette."

Timothy didn’t experience anything particularly different from other markets but mentioned that it was about a 15-minute walk from the train station, so visitors with mobility issues might need additional means to reach the market if arriving by train. Overall, Timothy encourages travelers to visit the Winterland Hasselt Christmas Market:

"I would recommend visiting this market because even though it may not have all of the energy that larger markets have with more huts and bigger crowds, it has a wonderful cozy feeling to enjoy the holiday season.

Its ice rink is covered and has an area for eating with tables and chairs. In case of bad weather, their is still an area to enjoy your time there. The antique carousel was something that gave the market a special feel and added to the overall atmosphere there.

There was an archery game that we haven’t seen at any other market. The market is well worth the effort to visit if you have the time and want to experience a small market that is unique on to itself."

Tips

Timothy Kawana also shared tips for those looking to have a great experience at the Winterland Hasselt Christmas Market, including the best time to visit and whether it’s easy to reach Hasselt without a car:

"We visited during the day in the morning so crowds may have been a little smaller. That seems to be our experience with visiting the other markets too. Visit earlier and on a week day," Timothy advises.

"If you are visiting Belgium and don't have a car, the trains into Hasselt are fast and efficient. Getting to and from larger cities is no problem at all. I'm guessing that the market was more crowded before Christmas in the evenings and weekends. Visiting after Christmas will still allow you the same experience and you can still find that special treasure for the next Christmas season."