The 36th edition of the Christmas market has started in Leuven, capital of Flemish Brabant. Yet again there’s loads of food and drinks at stands on the Ladeuzeplein and the Hooverplein, shops to spend your Christmas bonus as well as other attractions. New attractions this year are the Christmas Tower that stands almost 20 metres tall and is the first tower on a Christmas market in Belgium and a Ferris wheel. There are also more activities for children.
Every year, Leuven’s Christmas market attracts crowds to the city centre. Last year, 600,000 visitors attended the event spread over two weeks. ‘I like the fact that everything on the Christmas market is in one place here,’ says a visitor.
‘In Brussels, the Christmas market is quite spread out, all over the city centre, so you lose that Christmas feeling more quickly’. ‘Here, it all happens on the Ladeuzeplein and the Hooverplein, two squares next to each other. So you really imagine yourself in a Christmas village.’
The new attractions and stalls are also a hit with visitors. Both the Christmas tower and the Ferris wheel make their debut this year. The arrival of a Christmas tower was announced a while ago. A lot of people came to have a look beforehand, when the tower was under construction. ‘I come to the Christmas market every year and every time I am surprised because there are so many changes. Very nice,’ says another enthusiastic visitor.
‘The greater focus on families and children is nice too. My daughter is excited about the Ferris wheel,’ adds another visitor.
A bunch of women friends are enthusiastic too: ‘We were pleasantly surprised. There are all kinds of stalls. You can definitely find cool Christmas gifts here. Fortunately, there are a lot of food and drink stands too. We’re definitely visiting them all,’ the friends laugh.
Leuven Christmas market runs until Sunday 22 December.