Read the ultimate list of Christmas markets in Arras, Lille, and Bruges, including opening days, times, maps, and more. The Christmas markets in Northern France and Belgium are known for their unique charm and variety, offering a different festive experience from the Paris markets.
And since it is Christmas, don’t forget the Christmas gifts or gift experiences for your loved ones.
For your convenience, here is the list of Christmas markets in Arras, Lille, and Bruges:
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Arras Christmas Market
Let’s turn our attention first to the Arras Christmas Market.
We’ll talk about its location, opening hours, and what makes it a must-visit destination during the holiday season.
Location
The Arras Christmas Market is located at Hôtel de Ville, Place des Héros F- 62000 Arras.
How to Get There
From Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, hop on B Gare du Nord for a 38-minute ride. Get off at Gare du Nord and catch the train TGV INOUI7297. You will travel for around 50 minutes until you reach Gare d’Arras. Take a short walk to Emile Breton to get on bus L4 AnciensCombattants for a 9-minute ride. Once you reach Grands Viéziers, hop off, and a 2-minute walk of 160 meters will bring you to your final destination of The Arras Christmas Market in the heart of Arras, France.
Opening Hours, Dates, and Accessibility
- Operating from the 24th of November until the 30th of December 2023
- Open: Monday – Friday, from 12 pm until 7.30 pm, Saturday and Sunday, from 10 am to 9 pm
- Free admission
What is Arras Christmas Market Known For?
The Arras Christmas Market is known for its beautiful setting in the Grand’Place, surrounded by Flemish Baroque architecture.
It features 140 artisans and exhibitors, creating a festive atmosphere with a forest of Christmas trees. This market is more than just shopping; it offers traditional carousels, a big wheel, sled slide, and ice skating, making it a winter wonderland experience. Visitors also enjoy local traditions, delicious food, and beer, all while being close to significant WWI sites.
Lille Christmas Market
We’re about to dive into the enchanting world of Lille’s Christmas Market.
We’ll explore how to get there, the opening times, and what makes this fair a must-visit. From unique offerings to its accessibility features, there’s plenty to discuss and discover.
Location
The Lille Christmas Market is located at Palais Rihour, F-59000 Lille.
How to Get There
From Arras, take a 17-minute walk to Gare d’Arras to take the train TER 843931. Travel for 37 minutes and hop off at Lille-Flandres. A 9-minute walk of 650 meters will bring you to your final destination of The Lille Christmas Market in the heart of Lille, France.
Opening Hours, Dates, and Accessibility
- Operating from the 22nd of November until the 31st of December 2023
- Open from 11 am until 8 pm
- Free admission
What is Lille Christmas Market Known For?
The Lille Christmas Market is known for being the largest in the Hauts-de-France region.
Organized since 1989, it brings about one million visitors each year to Place Rihour, near the historic Grand’Place and the Ferris wheel. The market is known for its warm, festive atmosphere and the city’s streets shining with bright Christmas lights and decorations.
Christmas Market Nearby
Bruges Christmas Market
Let’s turn expand our exploration to the famous Bruges Christmas market that’s located near Lille.
We’ll explore its location, opening hours, accessibility, and what makes it an interesting stop for the festive season.
Location
The Bruges Christmas market is located at Markt, 8000 Brugge, Belgium.
How to Get There
From Lille, from Lille-Flandres hop on train IC 19737 Courtrai for a 36-minute ride to Kortrijk. From there, catch train IC 2342 Ostende to Brugge for a 59-minute ride. A 23-minute walk of 1.6 kilometers will bring you to your final destination of The Bruges Christmas market in the heart of Bruges, Belgium.
Opening Hours, Dates, and Accessibility
- Operating from the 24th of November 2023 to 7th of January 2024
- Open from Sunday – Thursday, from 10 am to 10 pm, Friday – Saturday, from 10.30 am to 11 pm
- Free admission
What is Bruges Christmas Market Known For?
The Bruges Christmas market is known for its ‘Winter Glow’ celebrations.
It has fun winter activities like ice skating and a light experience trail, plus beautiful light decorations all over the city. This market is special because it feels cozy and intimate, with Christmas trees, fairy lights, and yummy smells of waffles and hot chocolate.
Conclusion
As we bid adieu to Arras, Lille & Bruges, pieces of these charming cities tug at our hearts. The festive joy, the cultural richness, the friendly locals – they’ve all imprinted upon us indelibly.
And if you’re still searching for the perfect Christmas gift, our recommendation is to start with Amazon first for more gift ideas and price comparisons. Additionally, why not surprise your loved ones with an unforgettable gift experience that they’ll cherish forever?
Tom’s travel writings are a testament to his insatiable curiosity and love for the road less traveled. Eschewing the typical tourist spots, Tom has built a reputation for uncovering hidden gems known only to locals.
From secluded mountain villages in the Himalayas to untouched beaches in the South Pacific, his adventures have taken him to the world’s most undiscovered corners.