Month guide · Bruges · Belgium
Bruges in December
What December is really like in Bruges: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Spotter2, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 7°C (45°F), lows of 2°C (36°F), about 13 rainy days and roughly 7.9 hours of daylight. Festive and atmospheric with Christmas markets and lights; weekends are busy with coach trips.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 7°C (45°F) / 2°C (36°F)
- Rainy days
- About 13
- Daylight
- About 7.9 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the 11th-warmest month in Bruges: days average 7°C (45°F) against a yearly average high of 14°C (57°F), and nights fall to about 2°C (36°F). Rain falls on roughly 13 of its 31 days. Compared with November (10°C (50°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 6°C (43°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 08:45
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:40
- Daylight
- About 7.9 hours
Winter (December–February). Christmas markets and an ice rink in December, then cold, quiet weeks with the lowest prices of the year.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 4 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in May). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Christmas markets on the Markt and Simon Stevinplein (usually until early January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Religious site · Sint-Anna
Jerusalem Chapel and Lace Centre
The Adornes family built this unusual 15th-century private chapel, modelled on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, with a replica of Christ's tomb in the crypt.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Off the beaten path
- History
- Art
Waterfront · Sint-Gillis and Langerei
Langerei and Spiegelrei canal walk
Walk it early in the morning, when the water is still and reflections are at their best.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Architecture · Markt and Burg
Burg and City Hall
The Burg square holds Bruges's Gothic City Hall, built from 1376 and one of the oldest in the Low Countries.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Religious site · Markt and Burg
Basilica of the Holy Blood
Visit the lower Romanesque chapel too; it is one of the oldest interiors in the city and often overlooked.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 7°C, lows near 2°C and 13 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Bruges?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
Bruges in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Bruges?
It is a shoulder-season month. Festive and atmospheric with Christmas markets and lights; weekends are busy with coach trips.
+How warm is Bruges in December?
Average highs are around 7°C (45°F) and lows around 2°C (36°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Bruges in December?
Expect rain on about 13 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.