The year in Bruges
The big moments of the year in Bruges: Christmas markets, Wintergloed: ice rink and Winterreus, December Dance and more, with their dates.
Christmas markets
Two Christmas markets, on the Markt below the Belfry and on the Simon Stevinplein. Open Sunday to Thursday 11:00–22:00, Friday and Saturday until 23:30, and on New Year's Eve until 3:00.
Wintergloed: ice rink and Winterreus
Bruges' winter season around the markets: a covered ice rink and winter bar in the Koning Albert I-park (until 3 January), and on 30 and 31 January 2027 the Winterreus, a giant puppet built with the people of Bruges, parading through the streets.
December Dance
The Concertgebouw's festival of contemporary dance: twelve days with big international companies and new work by Belgian makers. 2026 is the 19th edition.
Tour of Flanders start
In 2027 the Tour of Flanders starts again on the Markt, the high point of the cycling spring in Bruges.
May Fair (Meifoor)
The spring fair, which goes back to the year 1200: around ninety rides on 't Zand and in the Koning Albert I-park for more than three weeks.
Bruges Triennial
Every three years artists and architects place temporary works along the canals, streets and empty buildings of the old town, free to visit. The 2027 edition is called After Birth: Structures of Togetherness.
Procession of the Holy Blood
Every Ascension Day since 1304 the relic of the Holy Blood is carried through the old town, a UNESCO-listed parade of historical and biblical scenes. It starts at 14:30 on the Dijver and ends at the Burg at 17:30.
Zandfeesten flea market
The big flea market of Bruges: stalls from the station to 't Zand, along the Begijnenvest, in the Koning Albert I-park and around the Vrijdagmarkt, from about 6:00 to 18:00. It returns on the first Sunday of August and the fourth Sunday of September.
Cactusfestival
Three days of rock, pop and music from all over the world in the Minnewaterpark, run by the Cactus music centre. In 2026 Editors, Madness and Aldous Harding played.
MA Festival
Ten days of classical and early music in special places in and around Bruges.
Brugge Centraal
The city's summer festival, by Cactus and the city: a free open-air concert on the Burg, seated concerts in front of the Gruuthuse palace, and Benenwerk, a free dance party on thirteen stages across the centre.
Bruges Beer Festival
A weekend of Belgian beer at the BMCC on the Beursplein, run by the local beer club BAB. 2026 was the 18th edition.
