Winter in Antwerp 2025-2026 from 5 December to 4 January

From Friday 5 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026, Winter in Antwerp will once again immerse the city in a warm and enchanting winter atmosphere. The City of Antwerp announced the plans today in a press release.

Familiar attractions such as the atmospheric Christmas Market, the ice rink, and the light tunnels are enhanced this year by a comprehensive culinary experience, animated winter scenes, and a special surprise focusing on love.

The Antwerp Christmas Market remains the beating heart of Winter in Antwerp, with more than 70 exhibitors offering both traditional and innovative offerings. New this year are the gastronomic experience, viewing columns with animated winter scenes, and a unique love story about a sailor and his sweetheart. Winter in Antwerp spans seven locations: Grote Markt, Groenplaats, Suikerrui, Operaplein, Handschoenmarkt, Hendrik Conscienceplein, and Steenplein.

Mayor Els van Doesburg (N-VA): “Some cities have a cozy Christmas market. In others, you can shop till you drop. In still others, you’ll find the most delicious restaurants. And Antwerp… Antwerp simply has everything at once. Let yourself be carried away by winter fun and enjoy the warm Christmas atmosphere with family and friends! We’ve created something beautiful again!”

Gastronomic experience

This year, the Christmas market has a new category: ‘Gastronomic Experience‘. Visitors can enjoy surprising culinary flavors in renovated chalets, from grilled meat and vegetables from the smoker to smashed burgers and poultry in a unique style.

These new culinary highlights can be found in the Grote Markt, Groenplaats, and Suikerrui.

The Rebel Smoker on the Grote Markt.
Orbit Fried Chicken on the Groenplaats.
MeatDistrict on the Suikerrui.

Hendrik Conscienceplein

Antwerp’s most beautiful square will once again be transformed into a culinary hotspot. Your Divine Xmas, an experience created by Sepideh Sedaghatnia, offers a warm and atmospheric experience in a Baroque and Belle Époque-inspired setting. Amidst golden lights and live jazz performances, visitors can enjoy refined dishes and stylish winter drinks, freshly prepared by local chefs.

Sustainability and local collaboration are key: local suppliers, vegetarian options, and reusable materials make Your Divine Xmas a stylish, sustainable Christmas experience for all visitors. Just like last year, the traditional mistletoe adds an extra touch of romance.

Grote Markt

Under the lights of the Town Hall and the impressive Christmas tree, visitors can stroll past the many stalls and drink stalls. New this year is the viewing column with moving winter scenes and short stories. The approximately 2.5-meter-high column brings an extra touch of magic for all ages. At the JOE Christmas House, live radio and performances create an even greater Christmas atmosphere, even in inclement weather.

Groenplaats

Winter fun at its finest at Groenplaats: the 1,000 m² indoor ice rink is situated around the statue of Sir Peter Paul Rubens and under a gigantic light-filled roof. Surrounded by the charming winter bar Den Après and the cozy Christmas chalets, visitors can skate and enjoy a drink or a snack.

Suikerrui

Suikerrui is once again the place to be for those who love twinkling lights. The light tunnels, with the cathedral in the background, create a magical experience and offer the perfect backdrop for taking and sharing photos.

Along the Christmas market, visitors will find a varied selection of goods such as jewelry, decorative items, and warm clothing. Winter treats between the chalets add to the festive atmosphere.

Handschoenmarkt

At the foot of the cathedral, the Handschoenmarkt creates a warm Christmas atmosphere with the popular nativity scene and the charity chalets.

On the Singing Christmas Tree stand, Koor&Stem presents weekly live performances, and visitors can sing along heartily. A special surprise awaits, and—although it’s still a secret—one thing is certain: love takes center stage here, as a sailor and his sweetheart take visitors on an enchanting journey through the city.

Operaplein

On this square, four vendors serve heartwarming dishes and drinks from their own chalets.

The square is decorated as a magical winter village with an atmospheric canopy so visitors can enjoy the coziness even in inclement weather. One of the two new viewing columns, surprising live acts, and the nostalgic carousel will also enhance the atmosphere.

Steenplein

The brand-new winter bar Bar Brabo, by Duvel Moortgat & AB InBev, will be located on Steenplein. After several years, the Ferris wheel has returned to its iconic spot along the Scheldt River, offering breathtaking views of the city and the river. And with that, the magical Winter Fair is complete again.

Trip By Trip