Last updated: 11 November 2024
Celebrate the holidays with the entire Heverlee community! In this guide, you'll find all the winter events and festivities our municipality has to offer, from traditional markets to cozy gatherings.
Discover the atmospheric Christmas market at Abbey Square, with local traders and craftsmen offering their goods. The historic Park Abbey provides the perfect backdrop for winter activities, while the cozy streets of the center fill with festive lighting and decorations. In the nearby city of Leuven, just 5 minutes by bike, you'll find additional festivities that bring the entire region to life.
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Heverlee Holiday Light Displays
Winter in Bokrijk
- What to Expect
- Unique combination of light, fire, and poetic installations.
- Description
- Winterlicht in Bokrijk offers five winter evenings with enchanting performances, dancing installations, and nostalgic attractions. The open-air museum is fully focused on light, fire, and celebration.
- Where
- Bokrijk | More Info : Winter in Bokrijk
(Un)Holy Light
- What to Expect
- Intriguing light art installations at unusual locations.
- Description
- (un)Holy Light is a light art festival featuring six intriguing artworks at various locations in the Leuven city center. From Saturday, December 9 to Sunday, December 17, you can visit each location between 5 PM and 9 PM. The festival includes installations at the Sint-Jacobskerk, the KADOC chapel, the bib Tweebronnen courtyard, and the Mechelsestraat, as well as two high-tech installations in the former Domo building.
- Where
- Leuven | More Info : (Un)Holy Light
Lanterna Magica
- What to Expect
- Unique combination of light, music, and natural environment.
- Description
- Lanterna Magica RTL Winter Lights is a new walk through the forest and along the castle, enveloped in a symphony of music and light. Every corner of the park reveals sparkling light effects and enchanting projections in a winter fairy tale full of wonder and mystery.
- Where
- Brussels | More Info : Lanterna Magica
Pairi Daiza Zoo Lights
- What to Expect
- Light show featuring giant animals and illuminated buildings.
- Description
- Pairi Daiza transforms into a breathtaking light display with over 70 stunning installations, including giant animals and illuminated buildings.
- Where
- Brugelette | More Info : Pairi Daiza Zoo Lights
Heverlee Holiday Markets and Shopping
Mons Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Unique combination of traditional and German craftsmen.
- Description
- The Coeur de Neige is an extensive Christmas market in Bergen (Mons) featuring various activities, including a craft market, international food stalls, a magic kiosk, and a nativity scene.
- Where
- Mons | More Info : Mons Christmas Market
Ghent Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Largest mobile roller skating rink in the country
- Description
- The Gentse Winterfeesten offer a cozy winter atmosphere with numerous food and drink stalls, festive decorations, and animation. Chalets, a Ferris wheel, a reindeer carousel, and a roller skating rink make these events unique for young and old.
- Where
- Ghent | More Info : Ghent Christmas Market
Leuven Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Enjoy a unique beer from 40 meters high with a view over the Christmas market.
- Description
- The Leuven Christmas Market is an annual event in the heart of Leuven, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year. The market offers a wide range of handmade products, delicious food and drinks, and a cozy atmosphere.
- Where
- Leuven | More Info : Leuven Christmas Market
Winterland Hasselt
- What to Expect
- Unique combination of Christmas market and ice rink
- Description
- Winterland Hasselt is a cozy Christmas market with many attractions, including an ice rink, a Grand Café, and Santa's House. There are many stalls offering unique Christmas gifts and delicious winter treats.
- Where
- Hasselt | More Info : Winterland Hasselt
Heverlee Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas Concerts in St. Peter's Church
- What to Expect
- Unique by the performance of historical masses in a charming medieval church.
- Description
- In the Sint-Pieterskerk in Leuven, you can find a series of Christmas concerts with the theme 'Oh, Kersnacht schooner dan de daegen'. These concerts are performed by the ensemble Currende under the direction of Erik Van Nevel. The program includes masses by Franco-Flemish composers from the Renaissance, such as Orlandus Lassus and Heinrich Isaac. The concerts are broadcast live on Radio 1 and are free for Friends of Currende.
- Where
- Leuven | More Info : Christmas Concerts in St. Peter's Church
Heverlee Other Holiday Activities
Sinterklaas in Hasselt
- What to Expect
- Play fun games with the Pieten and Conchita's.
- Description
- Sinterklaas stays a month in his cozy house in Hasselt, where you can play fun games with the Pieten and Conchita's, enjoy delicious speculaas, and listen to exciting stories.
- Where
- Hasselt | More Info : Sinterklaas in Hasselt