Belgian Christmas Feast On Christmas Eve (le Reveillon de Noel), a special meal is consumed by families and friends. Your email address will not be published. Seafood is popular, along with a Christmas cake in the shape of a yule log, and plenty of red wine. Brussels has a wonderful Christmas market over the holidays. Other popular markets are Leuven, Antwerp and Liège, who all have their own signature atmosphere. See the others Here.. Belgian Christmas Traditions. In Belgium, Saint Nicholas ( the patron of school children, since he is said to have revived three children that an unscrupulous pork butcher had turned into sausage meat!) You wouldn’t guess it looking at the Germans’ reasonably put-together neighbors, but Belgians are the second-to-last worldwide to rise on Christmas Day, the New York Times reported last year. People celebrate the festival of Christmas with their own unique rituals and traditions. In Belgium, Santa Claus and Saint Nicholas are two diverse people. This list may not reflect recent changes . The day starts with a special church service and ends with an exotic meal at the family dinner table. St. Nicholas arrives first on Christmas Eve and children who have been bad are given stones and twigs. Whichever the answer, it’s a fact that Christmas Day in Belgium is generally a day of relaxation, of having a generous Sunday breakfast and of visiting old friends and distant family members you didn’t get a chance to see the day before. Christmas Celebrations In Belgium A day that is marked as an important day in Belgium during the festive season is December 6th; it is marked as the Feast of St. Nicholas. and Santa Claus are two different people. Traditions in Belgium. It is his birthday that is celebrated on this day. One thing they all have in common are the food and drinks: glühwein, jenever (or ‘Flemish gin’) and hot chocolate to keep the insides warm and waffles, pancakes and smoutebollen (deep fried sweet dumplings) to keep the belly content. Jump to navigation Jump to search. Trailing Brazilians by a couple of minutes, Belgians on average get up a little after 9am. St. Nicholas is the "bad cop" of the duo, and is all about reconnaissance. This day begins with a church service where families gather and … These cookies do not store any personal information. Venison, boar and rabbit dishes are also popular at Christmas time in Belgium. Learn how your comment data is processed. As a predominantly Christian society until fairly recently, Belgium embraced Christmas centuries ago as its single most important holiday. St. Nicholas visits those who speak the Waloon language, while those who speak French are visited by … Chocolatiers such as Neuhaus, Godiva, and Leonidas, … It is a mixture of Flemish, German, Swiss and French traditions, but they all have Christmas in common! Blog. Our guide to Belgian Christmas foods gives you the lowdown on the entire meal. Saint Nicholas’ Day is notable on December 6 th and is mainly a kids’ feast. While American Christmas holds increasingly commercial sway over much of the world, fascinating and ancient ways of celebrating can be found wherever the faithful or the secular celebrate this winter holiday. A traditional Belgian Christmas dinner is usually a three course meal with a main dish of game, roast or seafood. Over 250 stalls are packed into one of the city’s squares, selling chocolates, baked goods, mulled wine, and Christmas decorations. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Deep fried sweet dumplings are also enjoyed over the holiday, as well as sweet bread shaped like the baby Jesus. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK", Grand-Place | © Eric Danhier / visitbrussels.be. Engage students in your virtual classroom with Prezi Video for Google Workspace A traditional Christmas dessert is the Yule log ( kerststronk in Dutch / Bûche de Noël in French), a sponge cake covered in chocolate … The starters are usually made with seafood, since seafood is a specialty in this country. As in The Netherlands, children in Belgium believe that 'Sinterklaas/St. However, many families who live in Austria, Belgium, and Denmark prefer the beautiful Advent Wreaths. The carnival is celebrated on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday during the Christian season of Lent. This has me reflecting on my own traditions and those that I want to start with my family. Dec. 2, 2020. Venison, boar and rabbit dishes are also popular at Christmas time in Belgium. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Christmas in Belgium. Some families go to Midnight Mass service, though this tradition has dwindled over the past couple of decades as the non-religious part of the population grows. And though the religious connotation has waned significantly, the small country still carries a torch for Christmas and all that it entails. Belgians that do make it to church that evening have a big chance of running into a lifesize nativity scene on their village square, often with a real donkey and a sheep, to the delight of Belgian children all around. Your email address will not be published. As in The Netherlands, children in Belgium believe that 'Sinterklaas/St. Whatever your idea of the perfect Christmas, no place does yuletide traditions quite like Europe. Christmas is Belgium in beautiful. Belgium doesn’t have only one but two Christmas figures! Why your go-to-market strategy should be industry focused You’ll find the most mammoth of christmas trees on the Grand-Place, along with a stunning light-and-sound show. Learn more about Belgium, or visit our Christmas Around the World page to discover how Christmas is celebrated in other countries. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. It is also the time for bidding goodbye to the year passing by. Such Christmas traditions vary by culture, faith, and geography. This is day 16 in our Christmas Around the World series. Every Sunday in Advent, a candle gets lit, and the family members sing some carols for the occasion. Required fields are marked *. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Belgian literature was more cohesive in the past but is now divided between a Flemish literature and a Belgian Francophone literature. ... Another of the oldest holiday traditions in Estonia is the Christmas Eve sauna, which is exactly as unappealing as it sounds. There are two Santa Claus figures in Belgium, St. Nicholas and Pere Noel. The feast of St. Nicholas is one of the most important events during Christmas celebrations in Belgium. Belgian chocolate is renowned around the world and may be considered a cultural institution. As in other countries, Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th. One is St. Nicholas and other is Pere Noel. Most important in the run-up to Belgian Christmas are the traditional markets. Belgium boasts not one, but two Santa Clauses, St. Nicholas and Pere Noel. From Latvia’s burning of the Yule Log to how the Czechs keep their carp in the bathtub ahead of turning them into lunch on Christmas Eve, here are 10 of our favorite Christmas traditions from around Europe. Instead of pulling out floats or throwing tons of beads on Mardi Gras, the small Walloon town of Binche celebrates by trotting out bizarre figures in colorful outfits wearing wax masks and weaving bundles of willow twigs. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. It’s an intimate and cozy occasion that reflects just how important family is to the average Belgian. The present Christmas celebrations in Belgium have also borrowed some of its traditions from America. ✦ Christmas Traditions in Belgium In Belgium, Christmas traditions are also different from back home. Children dress up as the three Wise Men and go from door to door, asking for money or treats, and singing. It also commemorates the famous revolutionary days of September 1830 when the country was officially formed. National traditions of Belgium. Niklaas' (Flemish) or 'Saint Nicholas' (Walloon) brings them presents on December 5th and 6th, St. Nicholas' Eve and St. Nicholas' Day. Post-dinner bliss is assured by finally opening the presents that have been ogled for weeks and often there will be a round of board games as well. Skating rinks and ferris wheels are usually around to up the entertainment and kiddie fun even more. When Christmas Eve rolls around, Belgians huddle up with the family for a large communal meal and the unwrapping of the gifts underneath the tree. Suzanne Lilar, Emile … Christmas Around the World Find out how Christmas Traditions and how Christmas is celebrated in lots of different countries and cultures around the world! By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Habits, mentality and the way of living. Walloons on the other hand, live in the southern part and speak Walloon and French. These are made from evergreen twigs, decorated with ribbons or other Christmas ornaments, and four candles. Visiting Christmas markets is popular, and people buy presents, decorations and seasonal food and drink. Christmas in Malta: Facts About Maltese Christmas Traditions, Christmas in New Zealand: Facts About New Zealand Traditions, 13 Easy DIY Halloween Decorations – Ideas and Inspiration, 10 Creative DIY Star Wars Christmas Holiday Crafts, Christmas in Germany: Facts About German Christmas Traditions, TT Rockstars Tips: How to Get Better at Times Tables Rock Stars. The holiday is celebrated on 6 December in Belgium. Belgian and Dutch kids are lucky to have Sinterklaas or Saint Nicholas, a kind of second Santa, show up from Spain twenty days before the actual one makes his way over from the North Pole. Belgians also drink a lot of its more than 600 varieties of beer during the holiday season. Christmas for both gift-givers is on December 6th, the feast of St Nicholas, it is a religious occasion and is observed with services in churches and quiet family gatherings. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. After putting out their shoes filled with carrots (for the Sint’s horse), cookies and other treats (for the Sint and his helper Black Peter) the night before, children that have been good throughout the year are greeted on the 6th of December with presents, speculoos and chocolate figurines. The preparation that goes into the dinner may not be quite up to the level of North America’s famous Thanksgiving turkey, but it certainly comes close. Children leave their shoes in front of the fireplace, rather than hang up a stocking. It's interesting how similar our traditions are and yet they celebrate St. Nicholas on Dec. 6! Yes, you heard it right. Christmas Traditions in the Belgium mark the unity of mankind. The feast usually starts with a drink (aperitif) and nibbles, and is followed by a hors d'oeuvres course (appetizers). St. Nicholas brings children presents on December 6th, St. Nicholas’s Day. Christian denominations, namely, Catholics, Protestants, Greek, Orthodox, Ethiopians, Armenians and others, differ in terms of Christmas celebrations and also the day observing the birth of Jesus Christ. New Year in Belgium has the name of Saint Sylvester Vooravond eve which symbolizes it. Might the previous night’s gourmet extravaganza have something to do with it? The three-day carnival in the Walloon town of Binche is one of the wackiest festivals in Belgium. Christmas traditions in Belgium Belgium doesn’t have one but two Christmas figures! Five strategies to maximize your sales kickoff; Jan. 26, 2021. Holiday Traditions of Belgium "Merry Christmas" In Belgium, there are actually two Santa Claus figures. The lavish meal begins with a drink ( aperitif ) and nibbles, with a starter course (such as seafood) and the main course (usually turkey) afterward. Merry Christmas in Bolivia. The celebrations feature adrenaline-pumping parades, merrymakers in the most extravagant costumes, and tons of music and dancing. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Festival of Wallonia Held every third Sunday of September, the Festival of Wallonia (or Fêtes de Wallonie) celebrates Belgian independence, patriotism, and Walloon identity. Pages in category "Christmas in Belgium" The following 3 pages are in this category, out of 3 total. Because of the COVID-19/Coronavirus Pandemic, many of the ways that Christmas is celebrated around the world might be … Most of the Belgian population is Flemish, who lives in the northern part of the country and speaks Dutch dialects. We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. The country is known for moules frites (mussels served with french fries) as well as waffles, a popular snack item. What next? Until the mid-20th century, Belgian writers more often wrote in French even if they were Flemish, due both to the then-dominant position of that language in worldwide culture and its dominant position within Belgium itself (e.g. According to the Belgian recipe, these are authentic villages that radiate charm with thousands of fairy lights and wooden booths serving artisanal treats. Belgium’s strong tradition of fine cuisine is expressed in its large number of top-rated restaurants. Nathalie, a mom of two young girls, describes the holiday season in Belgium where she lives. Children in Belgium are visited by two Santas — Santa Claus and St. Nicholas. Legend has it that the gentle man with the long white beard and impressive burgundy robes visits all the houses of the Lower Countries in one single night. For Christmas breakfast, Belgians eat the normal Sunday breakfast: baked crusty rolls served with butter and jam and/or coffee cake. On Christmas Eve (‘Kerstavond‘ in Flemish and ‘le reveillion de Noel‘ in Walloon), a special Belgian Christmas meal is prepared at home for the family to enjoy together. In Belgium, Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus are two different people. The main Christmas meal is usually eaten on Christmas Eve. Category:Christmas in Belgium. It is another interesting fact about Christmas that majorly people celebrate the festival on 25th December, while many Orthodox people celebrate Christmas on 7 th of January. In Belgium, little ones who want to double their booty can write a letter to the Sint via the actual mail and get a present and letter back. Here are some facts about Belgian Christmas traditions, customs and celebrations. In the south of Belgium, on December 25 th, people eat a special sweet bread (cougnou or cougnolle) baked in a baby-like shape as a symbol of Baby Jesus. Seafood is popular, along with a Christmas cake in the shape of a yule log, and plenty of red wine. Belgium doesn’t have one but two Christmas figures! They generally meet each other and wish everybody a very happy Merry Christmas in … Whichever the answer, it’s a fact that Christmas Day in Belgium is generally a day of relaxation, of having a generous Sunday breakfast and of visiting old friends and distant family members you didn’t get a chance to see the day before. Nativity scenes are popular Belgium. Folkloric as can be, … Interesting Facts about Christmas Tradition in Belgium During Christmas celebrations, there are two Santa Claus figures in Belgium. The main Christmas meal is usually eaten on Christmas Eve. Many churches have a ‘real’ nativity scene with live oxen, donkeys and sheep and regular performances by the local choir. A small presentation on Christmases in Belgium! It is held on December 6 every year. Deep fried sweet dumplings are also enjoyed over the holiday, as well as sweet bread shaped like the baby Jesus. No stamp needed as long as you get the Holy Man’s address right: Sinterklaas, Spain Street, 0621 Heaven. Belgium is proud of its chocolate, and special Christmas chocolates are filled with nuts, cream or liquor. The Zwarte Piet character is part of the annual Feast of St. Nicholas that is celebrated on the evening of 5 December (Sinterklaasavond, which is known as St. Nicholas' Eve in English) in the Netherlands, Suriname, Aruba, and Curaçao.This is when presents and sweets are traditionally distributed to children. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. To most it’s important, yet nowhere near as important as the evening of December 24th, the Belgian holiday extraordinaire. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Baked treats and specially prepared Belgian dishes are served on this day. Saint Nicholas' Day is celebrated on the 6th of December and is primarily a children’s feast. Christmas in Belgium. Your chances of seeing the biggest Christmas tree in the land are guaranteed at Brussels’ Winter Wonders, one of the most visited markets of all that lasts the entire month of December and hosts tons of side activities. Christmas in Belgium includes some traditions from nearby Germany. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Belgium is divided into three parts. Customs, Traditions & Celebrations In Bethlehem Christmas does is not celebrated on a particular day. The New Year in Belgium is celebrated on 1st January and is the time for greeting for the year ahead. Chocolate advent calendars are popular, as well as advent calendars made from flowers and branches. Many will decorate their homes and shops in twinkling Christmas lights, fir tree boughs and Christmas trees. Jan. 26, 2021. For instance, St Nicholas’ Day. Special cakes are baked and served during the holiday season and are a treat for children and adults. St. Nicholas is said to have a horse, rather than reindeer, so a carrot is often left. Christmas cookies are also very popular during holydays. Blog. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The fundamental part of the New Year is the merrymaking with grandeur. Or perhaps the Midnight Mass? Belgian Christmas wreaths traditionally have four candles, and one is lit each week in the four weeks leading up to Christmas. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Also, just weeks before Christmas, there are Christmas markets in a lot of cities in Europe. For the Dutch-speaking community, there’s Sinterklaas, or St. Nicholas, and for the French-speaking community, there’s Pere Noel, or Santa Claus. Cozy villages built out of wooden chalets and a family-centered Christmas Eve around an overflowing table are traditions dear to many a Belgian heart.
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