Month guide · Brussels · Belgium
Brussels in December
What December is really like in Brussels: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 6°C (43°F), lows of 2°C (36°F), about 13 rainy days and roughly 8 hours of daylight. Cold, festive and atmospheric, with an ice rink, market stalls and nightly light shows on the Grand-Place.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 6°C (43°F) / 2°C (36°F)
- Rainy days
- About 13
- Daylight
- About 8 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the coolest month in Brussels: days average 6°C (43°F) against a yearly average high of 15°C (59°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 08:39
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:37
- Daylight
- About 8 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold and grey, brightened by Winter Wonders in December; quiet museums and the lowest prices in January and February.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 3 for crowds (the peak is June at 4) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in June). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- Winter Wonders — Christmas markets and ice rink (usually until early January)
- St Nicholas — speculoos and gifts for children (6 December)
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.
Park · European Quarter
Cinquantenaire Park and museums
A triumphal arch built for Belgium's 50th anniversary of independence crowns this park, flanked by three museums: the Art & History Museum, Autoworld's collection of historic cars and the Royal Military Museum.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- History
- Kids
- Views
Neighbourhood · Sablon and Mont des Arts
Sablon
Visit on a Saturday or Sunday morning for the antiques market, then try pralines at the square's chocolate shops.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Architecture
Market · Marolles
Place du Jeu de Balle flea market
The Marolles flea market fills the cobbled Place du Jeu de Balle every morning with bric-a-brac, old prints, furniture, clothes and curiosities.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Off the beaten path
Theme park · Heysel
Mini-Europe
Visit on a dry day and allow about an hour and a half; combined tickets save money if you also go up the Atomium.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Outdoors
What to pack
For highs near 6°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 Brussels?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
Brussels in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Brussels?
It is a shoulder-season month. Cold, festive and atmospheric, with an ice rink, market stalls and nightly light shows on the Grand-Place.
+How warm is Brussels in December?
Average highs are around 6°C (43°F) and lows around 2°C (36°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Brussels in December?
Expect rain on about 13 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.