Brussels Weather in December

December weather in Brussels

December feels cold, damp and grey. Highs reach 6°C, with lows around 2°C, and rain falls on about 15 days. You'll get little sunshine and short days, so outdoor sightseeing can feel chilly and uncomfortable.

The Grand-Place and the covered Royal Galleries still work well for a stroll between showers. Save longer walks around Parc du Cinquantenaire for a dry spell, and don't count on a relaxed afternoon outdoors. Museums and cafés are good places to duck inside.

Winter Wonders and holiday crowds

Winter Wonders brings Christmas stalls and festive lights to central Brussels, including the Grand-Place and Sainte-Catherine. The event usually runs through the holiday season; Christmas Day and New Year's Day can affect opening hours. Check local schedules before setting out.

Families who enjoy festive lights and market treats will find plenty to do, but busy weekends can mean packed streets around the stalls. Outside the market period, December is generally quieter than Brussels' best-weather months, June to July and September. Prices can rise around festive weekends, so a midweek visit may feel calmer.

A useful local tip

Take the metro to Sainte-Catherine to start near the Winter Wonders stalls, then walk towards the Grand-Place. That lets you see the market route without doubling back through the busiest central streets.

Warm up with a bowl of waterzooi, a creamy Belgian stew, at a restaurant near the centre. Rain is common, so keep indoor stops close by rather than planning a full day on foot. You'll enjoy Brussels more when the weather turns if you mix the market with a museum or café break.