Lille and Bruges Christmas Markets
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Christmas Market on Markt and Simon Stevin Square ©Visit Bruges, Toerisme Brugge, Jan Darthet
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Christmas Market in Lille ©Fèdèration Lilloise du Commerce, de l'Artisanat et des Services
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Christmas Market on Markt and Simon Stevin Square ©Visit Bruges, Toerisme Brugge, Jan Darthet
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Bruges, Belgium
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Grand Place in Lille ©Lille Tourisme, Laurent Ghesquiere
Get into the festive spirit with a trip to the Christmas Markets in Lille and Bruges. Beautiful cities at any time of year but during advent, the Christmas atmosphere makes them irresistibly enchanting. Lille hosts Northern France’s largest markets, and at Bruges Christmas Markets in Grote Markt square there’s a large open-air ice rink.
From late November to mid-December, step into continental winter wonderlands. There, local crafts, handmade artisan objects and perfect Christmas gifts are aplenty. Mulled wines and hot chocolates steam warming your fingers and tickling your nostrils with their tempting aromas. Indulge in traditional Christmas Market foods such as Bratwurst, waffles and pancakes.
Perhaps take a stroll through the maze of cobbled lanes in Lille’s old town or wander along the charming canals in Bruges. See the towering Belfry dominate Bruges’ old market square, and then watch the swans swim serenely on the Lake of Love. Art lovers should take the opportunity to visit the Notre Dame church which houses Michelangelo’s Madonna.
Dates
Late November - Mid December 2025 (dates to be confirmed)
Suggested itinerary by coach
Day 1
Travel to Lille
Travel to Dover and board the ferry to Calais. Continue across northern France to Lille for the next 3 nights. Dinner will be at the hotel this evening.
Day 2
Lille’s Christmas Markets (Village de Noël)
Before starting to explore the Christmas Markets, meet up with a local guide for a walking tour along the cobbled streets of the old town ‘Le Vieux Ville’ with its charming patchwork of pretty squares and the ornate 17th Century Vielle Bourse, Lille’s finest building. After the tour the markets should be ready to open at around 11.00 hours (daily).
For over 30 years, the Lille Christmas Market (known locally as the Village de Noël) has been a signature festive event in Northern France, attracting thousands of visitors from France and beyond. They are traditionally held on the centrally located Place Rihour offering around 90 different stalls selling all manner of festive surprises and culinary delights. Enjoy a spectacular view over the city by taking a ride on the Big Wheel. Below the Winter Wonderland will sparkle – the Christmas village is covered in artificial snow and an 18 metre tall Christmas tree evokes festive cheer. Be sure to sample some local delights and purchase some traditional Christmas presents to take home.
The markets are usually open daily Mon-Thurs & Sun (11.00-20.30 hrs) and Fri/Sat (11.00-22.00 hrs) – subject to confirmation for 2025
Day 3
Bruges’ Christmas Markets and Ice Rink
Depart after breakfast and make the short drive across the border into Belgium and to the medieval city of Bruges. On arrival, meet up with a local guide for a walking tour highlighting the most important sites such as the Grote Markt, the Belfry and the Benguinage, amongst others. Bruges must go down as one of the most romantic settings for a Christmas Market, with its cobbled streets, historic medieval buildings and maze of canals beautifully illuminated to create a majestic atmosphere as horse and carts trudge by.
The city offers two Christmas markets, one on the Grote Markt selling everything you can expect of a traditional market and the other, on Simon Stevinplein, with the emphasis on local crafts. The romantic Minnewater (Lake of love) is the location of a floating artificial ice rink surrounded by countless twinkling lights.
The markets are usually open Sun-Thurs (10.00-22.00 hrs) and Fri/Sat (10.30-23.00 hrs). Closed Mondays. Subject to confirmation for 2025
Day 4
Return to the UK
Depart after breakfast and drive to Calais for the ferry across to the UK.
Alternatively, why not stay in Bruges – Greatdays have a good selection of hotels to offer
| Departure Date | 3 nights/4 days | Single Supplement |
| November – December 2025 | Price on request | Price on request |
