Winter fun: Light festivals, shows, concerts and family activities make Belgium sparkle

The darkest season of the year is the perfect time to see towns, cities and some rural spots shine with artistic illuminations. In addition to festive light festivals brightening up the winter gloom, these cultural events are also sure to raise spirits during the holiday season.

BRUSSELS

The annual Gospel for Life tour is already underway with concerts in theatres and churches across Brussels and Wallonia. The upbeat, colourful shows with 100 choristers belting out songs, reinforce the concept that faith is a celebration to be heard loud and clear but also an invitation to do charitable work. That’s why the proceeds of this major tour go to associations fighting poverty or assisting the sick and disabled. This year the singers also pay tribute to the wonderful work of Whitney Houston. The tour pays a visit to Koekelberg Basilica in Brussels on 9 December. Until 27 December, multiple venues

A popular tradition among the international community, The Snowman - with Excerpts from The Carousel of the Animals - is great fun for all ages. The family show featuring a live orchestra is based on the classic book The Snowman, but follows its own winding, satirical path, courtesy of narrator Emma Watkinson. The orchestra is conducted by David Navarro Turres with Dmytro Sukhovienko and Mary Gow on piano. All proceeds to Ukrainian medical charities. 8 December 15.00 & 17.30, Auderghem Cultural Centre, Boulevard du Souverain 183 (Auderghem)

An orchestra of international musicians and a choir of multi-lingual schoolchildren come together for Brussels Carol Concert, a holiday season 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 sing-along - with this year’s guest soloist Emma Watkinson. Proceeds go to the Foetal Medicine Centre at Brugmann children’s hospital. 15 December 17.00, Eglise St Marc, Avenue De Fré 76 (Uccle)

The circus is in town for the holiday season. Alexandre Bouglione is setting up his big top in Flagey for a special Christmas show and inviting audiences to two shows a day. The programme –  completely without animals – is designed to thrill and entertain all ages. Family days on 19 & 20 December offer unique ticket price of €12.50. 19 December to 5 January, Place Sainte-Croix (Ixelles)

Noël au Théâtre is a longstanding theatre festival for the whole family. The title of the event refers to the time of year, not the themes of some 22 shows, which are simply excellent productions by theatre and dance companies for all ages. On the ambitious programme is a show without dialogue, new works and a Super Boum for all kids to dance off some energy! 26-30 December, locations across Brussels

Bozar stages its traditional New Year’s Concert with the Belgian National Orchestra conducted by Emilia Hoving from Finland with soloist Spanish classical guitarist Pablo Sáinz Villegas. They perform a festive and multicultural programme: Viennese waltzes blended with Spanish and South American melodies and a traditional finale featuring Strauss senior’s Radetzky March. 5 January 15.00, Rue Ravenstein 23

Panto season enlivens the post-holiday season with Cinderella the upcoming production by the ECC theatre group. The family-favourite rag-to-riches tale bursting with a lovable cast of characters is especially adapted for Belgian audiences. It’s full of laughs, songs and spectacular costumes. 24-26 January, Auderghem Cultural Centre, Boulevard du Souverain 183 (Auderghem)

The capital’s annual light show returns in February to light up evenings in the depths of winter. The Bright Festival consists of two illuminated trails - Royal and European – that showcase some of the capital's most emblematic locations via 20 installations by national and international artists. Satellite events in museums and shops along the routes add to the shine. They include The Pavilion of Human Passions, the Cathedral of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula, Brussels Park and the House of European History. There’s also a special Kids Zone. 13 to 16 February, city-centre locations

WALLONIA

Dinant citadel is illuminated this winter with the Garden of Lights – The Smurfs. The new outdoor light trail is full of immersive and colourful installations that explore the magical world of the famous Belgian cartoon characters. Single and unlimited tickets available (from €20). Until 16 February, Chemin de la CItadelle 1, Dinant (Namur province)

The fourth edition of the family adventure trail Lanterna Magica RTL: Winter Lights illuminates the enchanting setting of Château de La Hulpe. Boasting a new immersive route to the sensory experience, it also features magical lighting, special projections and digital technology. The experience is also enhanced by ice-skating thanks to the installation of a 200m2 covered artificial rink, which can be accessed without a ticket to Lanterna. A shuttle bus operates between La Hulpe train station and the site. From 22 November, Domaine du Château de la Hulpe, Chaussée de Bruxelles (Walloon Brabant)

Namur is once again staging a live storytelling tour of its historic city centre. La Grande Visite by Nicolas Buysse and Fabrice Murgia is an evening immersive performance in which the audience follows the actors and musicians while equipped with individual headsets. If the script is subject to improvisation, the audience can expect a poetic and entertaining road-movie of a spectacle. Age 8+. 3-31 December 19.00, La Nef, Rue Saint-Nicolas 2, Namur

After its runaway success last year, the city of Mons once again stages the only festival of lights in Wallonia. The free 3km trail Mons en lumières: Entre terre et ciel celebrates the relationship between nature and the universe for an exclusive eight-night run. It’s been created by guest Japanese artist Tadashi Kawamata, who is a wizard at making impressive installations out of natural materials. The itinerary also features local artists and businesses. 30 January to 9 February 18.30-midnight, Mons city centre

FLANDERS

It’s hard to imagine a better place for WonderLights than the grounds of Groot-Bijgaarden Castle, a lovely place all year round that is located on the outskirts of Brussels. This trail of light installations with hundreds of lanterns brings the castle’s paradisiacal gardens alive with the focus on nature and wildlife resulting on some spectacular wildlife creatures. A special winter garden includes fairies and unicorns, and there is even a Christmas Express train. Until 28 February, Isidoor van Beverenstraat 5, Groot-Bijgaarden (Flemish Brabant)

Putteke Winter is more about the season than the Christmas holidays. Taking place in the forested recreation area of De Ster domain in Sint-Niklaas, it presents evening programmes enlivened by fire, food, light installations, live music and mysterious figures. Welcome the chill and the long seasonal shadows and embrace the atmosphere of this magical event. Until 12 January, Sint-Niklaas (East Flanders)

Check out Knokke-Heist’s new Scandinavian winter experience this year. As well as light events, concerts and other seasonal activities, the coastal resort has introduced a traditional wooden chalet The Pakjeshuis – with babysitting and kids entertainment - plus a Viking village to its programme. Another highlight is the captivating Gueule d’Ours street parade by internationally-renowned French Compagnie Remue-Ménage on 28 December. Pop into the tourism office for full information. Until 5 January, across Knokke-Heist

Planckendael animal park’s Scandinavian-inspired Dragons of the North conjures up all kinds of mythical figures that glow and blink and shine as night falls. You’ll meet trolls, elves, a howling werewolf, a four-metre-high phoenix and of course the title characters – who are destined to steal the show. Until 5 January, Leuvensesteenweg 582, Mechelen

While Ghent’s 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 that once served as the medieval castle’s stables. The bar sells delicious snacks as well as hot and cold drinks and there’s no need for an admission ticket to pop in! 6 December to 5 January, Sint-Veerleplein 11, Ghent

The Meise Botanical Garden transforms into a fantasy universe for the holiday season. Winter Floridylle is a 3.5km trail of site-specific light installations glowing against a backdrop of original music composed by Belgian musician Piet Goddaer. The 20 plant-inspired installations by artists from around the world  illuminate the Island Garden, the bamboo forest and fabulous plant palace the Green Ark. There’s also a laser show at the castle. A convivial winter village serves food and drinks. 19 December to 5 January, Nieuwelaan 38, Meise (Flemish Brabant)

Bokrijk open-air museum in Limburg throws quite a party between Christmas and New Year with Winterlicht. The festival is guaranteed to warm spirits with fire performers, light installations, theatre, music and acrobatics. In the Haspengebouw museum section, Scaletta Unexpected is a musical production with a children’s and youth choir. Elsewhere, in the Kempen section, a dancing flamingo and fire-breathing hippo feature in Les Animaux Perdus by theatre company De Machienerie. Finally, don’t miss the historical holiday village with craftspeople and vintage attractions such as a caterpillar and Ferris wheel. 26-30 December, Bokrijklaan 1, Genk (Limburg)

We will be regularly updating this feature. For more seasonal cheer, check out The Bulletin’s guide to Christmas markets in Belgium.

Photos: (main image) Flux ©Magic Street - Mons; Bright Festival Brussels (2023); Namur La Grande visite ©Olivier Gilgean; Mons Le reve des lucioles ©LDA Production; Romain Tardy ©Fenn Photography (De Schorre, Putteke Winter 2023); Dragons of the north ©Jonas Verhulst