the immense success of the Brussels Christmas market, which now attracts more tourists than that of Strasbourg

The Christmas market in the Belgian capital attracted four million people last year, compared to 3.3 million for that of the Alsatian capital.

The Christmas market in Brussels, Belgium, is among the most beautiful in the world. This is said by the American television channel CNN. It publishes a world ranking and places Brussels alongside Strasbourg or Berlin. This market even attracts more visitors at this time than the prestigious traditional chalets of the Alsatian capital.

It’s raining heavily, it’s “drizzling”, as they say here, on this Saturday afternoon of December 7. Terrible weather and yet tourists are present at the Brussels Christmas market. They appreciate the natural good humor that reigns around the chalets. “You see him and you think he’s cool, throws a woman. The people are all nice! Of course, it’s hard to find someone who speaks English and I don’t speak French, but honestly, I’m having fun.”

The Christmas market is called “Winter Pleasures”: an open-air ice rink, a Ferris wheel, chalets in three different locations in the city. It has only existed in this form since 2001 and has just been ranked among the most beautiful in the world by CNN. The Belgians agree: “It’s deserved”estimates a resident. “As they say, the Belgians are very welcoming, so that helps a lot with the atmosphere, it’s Belgian pride!”exclaims another.

In 2023, the Brussels market has in fact had more visitors than that of Strasbourg for example: 4 million people in the Belgian capital, 3.3 million for the Alsatian market, which has existed since 1570. But “The pleasures of ‘winter’ is not unanimous among tourists. “Knowing that we come from Switzerland and that we know the Montreux Christmas market, it’s a little exaggerated, even if it’s not ugly, tempers a visitor. Even in terms of music, we are sometimes surprised to hear Britney Spears when it’s supposed to be the energy of Christmas.” “It’s very scattered, and as a tourist, it’s a little difficult to find yourself there”judges a woman.

Belgium intends to take advantage of this distinction from the United States: the Christmas market is a profitable event. Winter pleasures generated nearly 260 million euros in economic benefits in 2022.