During the spring half-term Blankenberge becomes the carnival capital of the coast for a good week. The highlight is the Sunday parade, when dozens of floats and costumed societies make their way through the town-centre streets in the afternoon. Around it, the programme also features a children's parade, a round of the Vuule Jeanetten and a carnival dip in the North Sea. Dates and times for these other events have not been published for 2027 yet. The parade is free and well suited to families.
Tap a day to see the hours.
season dates, hours not confirmed yet
Carnival parade on Sunday 7 February, 2.30 pm to 5 pm. Carnival week runs from 6 to 14 February; dates and times of the children's parade, the Vuule Jeanetten and the sea dip are not published yet.
Christmas markets nearby for the same trip.
Christmas market in Blankenberge — from 27 November to 3 January 2027. A covered ice rink, winter bar, a Christmas market of mini-chalets and a mulled-wine tower on the Koning Leopold III-plein, near the seafront and the station.
Christmas market in Oostkerke — 13 December 2026. Food and drink stands and local crafts (ceramics, jewellery) in the village of Oostkerke, with Christmas concerts in the church at 14:30, 15:30 and 16:30.
Two Christmas markets in the heart of Bruges, on the Markt and Simon Stevinplein, part of the Wintergloed festival, with an ice rink in King Albert I Park.
Christmas market in Oostende — from 27 November to 3 January 2027. Free entry. Chalets, winter bars, a carousel and a kiosk on the Wapenplein; a covered 600 m² ice rink on the Sint-Petrus-en-Paulusplein (€10 with skates).
Christmas market in Torhout — from 11 December to 13 December 2026. Free entry. Wooden chalets on the Markt run by youth groups, clubs and craftspeople; a wheelchair-accessible ice rink from 4 December to 3 January.
opens Sat 26 December, 14:00
Christmas market in Westende — from 26 December to 30 December 2026. Five days of Christmas stalls, snacks and drinks in Westende-Bad, with a winter rebus walk.
Weekendo
