Christmas holidays 2029
East Belgium
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Estimated dates - verify with official sources before use.
Christmas holidays
The christmas holidays 2029 runs from 23 December to 7 January.
The Christmas break in East Belgium lasts about two weeks, from just before Christmas until early January. During this period, the dates of all three Belgian communities are nearly identical.
The region is often already under a blanket of snow, especially on the plateaus of the High Fens. Christmas has a particularly warm atmosphere in East Belgium thanks to German-speaking traditions around Advent wreaths, Gluhwein, and Christstollen.
The proximity to the German and Luxembourg borders gives the festive period a unique cross-border character.
Activities during the christmas holidays
The Christmas markets in Eupen and Sankt Vith create a cosy atmosphere with artisan stalls and warm drinks. The High Fens offer cross-country skiing and winter hikes through the snow-covered peat landscape.
Many families also visit the larger markets in Liege or Aachen, which are just a short drive away. The Weihnachtsdorf in Sankt Vith is particularly charming and attracts visitors from the wider region.
Children enjoy the Nikolaus processions organised in many municipalities. For winter sports fans, Ovifat offers a small but welcoming ski slope.
Practical info about the christmas holidays
Shops are mostly open during the break but closed on 25 December and 1 January. Public transport runs on a special schedule on public holidays, and buses to remote villages run less frequently.
Childcare is limited during the festive period, but some municipalities offer a special holiday programme for the days between Christmas and New Year. Thanks to the border location, many families can choose between shopping in Liege, Aachen, or Luxembourg City.
The winter sales start on 3 January and are a popular occasion for a cross-border shopping day.
Did you know this about the christmas holidays?
Due to the proximity of the border, many East Belgian families visit the Christmas market in nearby Aachen, one of the largest and oldest Christmas markets in Europe. The Aachen market around the cathedral dates back to 1974 and spans several squares.
In East Belgium itself, the Nikolaus tradition is much stronger than in the rest of the country, with elaborate processions and gift-giving by the Nikolaus on 6 December. The German-speaking Christmas traditions in the region bear more resemblance to those of the Rhineland than to Francophone or Flemish customs.