What’s on this week: 12 to 18 December

Creators Factory showcases Brussels-based artisans during the Winter Wonders festivities inside the Bourse. More than 50 local creators present clothing, accessories, soaps, candles, jewellery, ceramics, illustrations, natural care products and home decor. Co-organised this year with the Entreprenoires Winter Market, they share the space with around 20 Belgian female entrepreneurs. It is one of five markets in the city centre that showcases emerging talents, established designers and passionate artisans, including Winter Market in Place de Brouckère and Christmas Designers’ Market in Halles Saint-Géry, both on Saturday. 13-14 December, Bourse, Place de la Bourse

Newly renovated gallery Passage du Nord participates in the Winter Wonders illumination trail by hosting a series of free Christmas carol concerts. These late afternoon musical interludes are designed to provide a welcome pause from the urban bustle of the city centre. They are performed by Delphine Lorges (clarinet) and Samuël Lejeune (flute), in a repertoire blending traditional tunes, classical pieces and festive melodies. 12 December to 3 January, Thursday to Saturday, 16.00-17.00 (no concerts on 25 Dec & 1 Jan), Passage du Nord

The 24-hour programme Listening Other·Wise invites us to focus not on listening as an isolated act, but to reflect on its potential to open up new relationships as a collective experience. The Goethe-Institut Brussels, La Loge Brussels and artist Nele Möller bring together sound and vocal performances, audio streams, reading sessions, deep listening exercises, DJ sets, and lecture performances. 12-13 December (20.00-17.00), La Loge, Rue de l’Eermitage 86 (Ixelles)

When Belgian-Syrian musician Elias Bachoura plucks the strings of his oud, a whole world unfolds. Alongside the sound of the great oud masters, there are Brussels influences, including a Manneken Pis sketch in this Muziekpublique concert at Prague House. His first solo album Biharayto, denoting “at the end” or “finally” in Aramaic, travels between Damascus and Brussels; the oriental influences of Syrian maqams intertwining with a more contemporary style. 12 December 20.30, Prague House, Avenue Palmerston 16

Afternoons of Solitude – Albert Serra is an award-winning documentary film about bullfighting by the celebrated Spanish director for the Europalia arts festival. Offering a unique insight into the tradition, from the physical pain to the gushing blood and exuberant cheers from spectators, Serra followed a world-famous matador and his entourage for three years as they travelled from arena to arena. 13 December 14.00 & 18 December 16.30 & 19.00, Rue Ravenstein 23

An orchestra of international musicians and a choir of multi-lingual schoolchildren come together for the Brussels Carol Concert, a holiday highlight in the capital. With the Winter Dreams Orchestra conducted by David Navarro Turres, Mary Gow on piano and organ, the concert brings together well-loved holiday carols - not excluding a bit of a sing-along - with this year’s guest soloist Amalia Avalan. Proceeds go to the Foetal Medicine Centre at Brugmann children’s hospital. 13 December 17.00, Eglise St Marc, Avenue De Fré 76 (Uccle)

The circus is back in town! Alexandre Bouglione is setting up a big top in Place Flagey for a new version of its traditional Christmas show with an. The programme –  completely without animals – is designed to thrill and entertain all ages with international artists, including illusionists, jugglers, trapeze artists and clowns. 18 December to 4 January, Place Flagey (Ixelles)

OUTSIDE BRUSSELS

Bastogne Barracks hosts the annual Nuts weekend commemorating the 81st anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. While there are other activities spread across the Ardennes town, the barracks opens the doors of its newly-renovated exhibition halls to show off various vehicles from the wartime period that also participate in parades and demonstrations. The theme of this 2025 edition is artillery. As ever, there’s bags of period entertainment, from a 1940s concert to quizzes and a food corner. 13-14 December, Rue de la Roche 40, Bastogne (Luxembourg province)

Some 80 wine producers offer more 500 wines for tasting at the Salon du vin et de la Gastronomie at Namur Expo. This is an ideal opportunity to sample some quality original labels ahead for the holiday and gift season. 12-14 December, Avenue Sergent Vrithoff 2, Namur

There is a theatrical touch to festivities in the city centre of Namur. Le Funky Karaoke walking tour invites the public to don headsets and follow seasoned actors and entertainers Nicolas Buysse and Ingrid Heiderscheidt around passageways, squares and the quayside of the Walloon capital. The audience will get a chance to join in the musical show: lyrics are beamed on to walls and facades along the way. Until 30 December 19.00, Place du Théâtre 2, Namur

Modave castle opens its grand doors for the Christmas holiday celebration Noël au château. Decked out entirely in seasonal decorations, the heritage site is transformed into a magical domain filled with fairies, mischievous elves, friendly ghosts, peaceful witches and a host of benevolent creatures. Open daily. 13 December to 4 January, Rue du Parc 4, Modave (Liège province)

Walloon wine domain Chant d’Eole celebrates the season with a busy festive programme: a Christmas market, pop-up shop, a gondola ride and special menus in its two restaurant. The market includes a photo booth, creative workshops for adults, a children’s play area with the Eole elves, a bar, food and live music. Santa Claus pops by on Saturday from 17.00-19.00 and Sunday from 15.00-17.00. 12-14 December, Grand’Route 58, Quévy-le-Grand (Hainaut)

Antwerp Zoo welcomes visitors with its Magic Ocean light festival. Luminous mermaids, aquatic dragons and a giant octopus immerse you in a magical marine world. The symphony of marine creatures is joined by dancing jellyfish, elegant rays, a gigantic whale, lionfish, crabs and lobsters and schools of colourful tropical fish. Look out for the giant octopus with its colossal tentacles! Until 4 January, Koningin Astridplein 26, Antwerp

Rixensart Chateau hosts a Garden of Lights this winter: an illumination extravaganza dedicated to the world of the Smurfs. It boasts more than 40 attractions, from characters and bright lanterns to multimedia shows. The interactive tour, inspired by the world-famous Belgian comic-strip characters is especially designed for families. Until 15 February, Rue de l’Eglise 30, Rixensart (Walloon Brabant)

Dinant Lumière lights up the pretty Mosan town with concerts, markets, parades and shows throughout its streets, squares and waterfront. As night falls, the illuminated trail highlights five iconic landmarks, all adding much-needed colour to the season. Until 3 January, town centre, Dinant

Family amusement park Walibi Winter opens over the Christmas holiday season with themed zones and festive sparkle. Its new seasonal Northern Dock space offers an immersion in a Scandinavian themed harbour complete with glowing lighthouses, fishermen’s huts and colourful containers. Other themed zones include an Alpine village, Frozen Land and Polar Playground, while winter wonderland decor and activities brighten the whole park. Thrill seekers can hurtle down a new toboggan run and spin around an indoor ice rink. 6 December to 4 January, Boulevard de l’Europe 100, Wavre

Knokke-Heist transforms into a Scandinavian paradise for the winter holidays. Visitors to the coastal resort can hone their skating skills on an indoor ice rink, enjoy lively parades in the streets and be entertained by a new show, Aurora, at the Grand Casino. The Nordic theme continues in a Viking village and Gift House, while Scandi decor injects a winter atmosphere across the town. Until 18 January, multiple venues, Knokke-Heist

Ostend boasts a unique 4km light trail, Lichtgolf, that immerses visitors in an original soundscape via individual headphones. Art, sound and light fuse in this maritime story narrated by Jutta, a young Ostend shipwreck collector. She leads visitors through a bittersweet fable about the sea, memory and hidden treasures. The trail incorporates seven landmark locations, including the Vistrap, the Mercator, Leopold Park, the Kursaal and the James Ensor House. Departure point: Ostend Tourism Office Until 4 January (except 24 & 25 December, 1 January), 16.30-21.00, Monacoplein 2, Ostend

While Ghent castle isn’t wholly authentic, it certainly makes for a good atmosphere at Christmas with enchanting lighting, festive decoration and merry music. Inside is an incredibly cosy winter bar and funny audio stories told by stand-up comedian Wouter Deprez. 5 December to 4 January, Sint-Veerleplein 11

See a Christmas story acted out as you slip from one room to another in one of six castles in the region for Kerstmagie. Aartselaar, Hingene, Laarne, Sint-Truiden, Westerlo and Wijnendale all open their abundantly decorated and light-festooned halls, where elves flit about getting ready for Christmas. Kids can visit with Santa when they finally happen upon him. The experience promises a burst of sights, sounds and lights, fun for children and adults alike. 7-28 December, across Belgium

Putteke Winter is staged in forested recreation areas, with the final venue, Zilvermeer, Mol, promising evenings full of fire, food, light installations, live music and mysterious figures. 12-13 December, Flanders

Discover more upcoming events at The Bulletin's events page.

Photos: Creators Market (main image) ©Winter Wonders; Elias Bachoura ©Dieter Telemans; Tardes de Soledad ©Andergraun Films; Rixensart ©Peyo; Garden of light; ©Dinant Lumiere; Zone northern dock ©Wwalibi; Lichtgolf ©Nick Decombel fotografie; Gent ©Jan Matthys