In Bruges, two new events will replace the Winter Glow (Wintergloed) light walk during the festive season. The first is a new winter parade, featuring striking figures that will be illuminated as they progress through the capital city of West Flanders Province. A second event is planned for St Salvator’s Cathedral, where a spectacle featuring live music and digital animation will be staged.
New giant puppet parade and light show at Bruges Cathedral replace Winter Glow
Colin Clapson
Published:
The new concept consists creates two new spectacles, explains alderwoman with special responsibility for tourism Minou Esquenet. “On the one hand, work is underway on a new ‘Winter Legend for Bruges’. This involves constructing imposing, large puppets that will parade through the city illuminated by light. This project is being realised in collaboration with schools, residents and local associations. The idea is based on a smaller-scale initiative held in the borough of Lissewege last year, where people from different sections of society worked together to create figures for the light festival, but this time it is being presented on a larger, city-wide scale."
“The second part of the programme involves light displays at a fixed location. For the upcoming edition, St Salvator’s Cathedral has been chosen, though a different heritage site could be chosen in the future. Here visitors can expect an immersive spectacle: a combination of live music and digital animation in which the audience is completely immersed."
Light will once again play a key role in both events. ‘Light has now become an essential part of the end-of-year experience in Bruges. Even in West Flanders the months of December and January are very dark, and residents and visitors greatly appreciate the atmosphere created by the Christmas lights and light installations. That is why light remains the central theme of our winter programme.”
The dates for the Christmas market remain unchanged, running from late November until the last Sunday of the Christmas holidays. The immersive spectacle in the cathedral will be staged considerably longer: from 20 November 2026 to 14 February 2027. The closing date coincides with the last day of the spring half-term holidays.
"By extending the duration of this event, the city aims to ease the pressure on the city during December — traditionally the busiest period in Bruges. At the same time, the organisers are responding to a demand from the tourism sector. Hoteliers indicated that they often had little to offer their guests during the quieter months of January and February. This music and light show is a major boost to encourage overnight visitors who wish to explore the city at their leisure."