What is Christmas called in Belgium?

Belgium is a country with multiple languages, meaning multiple traditions and ways to celebrate Christmas. In the Dutch/Flemish language you say Merry Christmas as 'Vrolijk Kerstfeest', French is 'Joyeux Noël' , in German it's 'Frohe Weihnachten' and in the Walloon dialect it's 'djoyeus Noyé'.

How do Belgium say Merry Christmas?

In Belgium Dutch/Flemish Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Vrolijk Kerstfeest', French it's 'Joyeux Noël', in German it's 'Frohe Weihnachten' and in the Walloon language (spoken by some people in the Walloon Region) it's 'djoyeus Noyé'. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages.

What is Belgium's traditional Christmas?

On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, a special meal is eaten bringing together extended family for a magical celebration. A traditional Belgian Christmas dinner starts with a drink and 'nibbles' followed by a three-course meal. The main meal is usually roast stuffed turkey or other game or seafood.

What is Sinterklaas in Belgium?

Sinterklaas (Dutch: [ˌsɪntərˈklaːs]) or Sint-Nicolaas ( Dutch: [sɪnt ˈnikoːlaːs]) is a legendary figure based on Saint Nicholas, patron saint of children. Other Dutch names for the figure include De Sint ("The Saint"), De Goede Sint ("The Good Saint") and De Goedheiligman ("The Good Holy Man").

How do you say Santa in Belgium?

On 6 December, Sinterklaas or "de Sint" in Flemish and Saint-Nicolas in French, brings presents to well-behaved children in Belgium. He can be described as a more serious version of Santa Claus. The character has its origins in Nicholas of Myra, a Greek bishop from Myra who lived in the fourth century AD.

How To Celebrate Christmas In Belgium

What is Santa's real name?

It is believed that the first Santa Claus was Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas was a monk and therefore did not marry. The Santa Claus that we know lives in the North Pole. According to some North American sources, his original name was Kris Kringle before he changed his name to Santa Claus.

What is Father Christmas in Belgium?

Be careful not to confuse Santa Claus (Father Christmas) and Saint Nicholas! In Belgium, they are two very different people. Sinterklaas (in Dutch) is the celebration of Saint Nicholas in Belgium and the Netherlands on 6 December. Santa Claus is celebrated on 25 December.

What is Dutch Christmas called?

Generally regarded as the Dutch equivalent of Christmas, Sinterklaas is a holiday where people get together with loved ones to exchange gifts, and is especially a big deal for young children who receive sacks of presents from Sinterklaas and his helpers the Pieten.

Which country is closer to Belgium?

Geography. Belgium shares borders with France (620 km), Germany (167 km), Luxembourg (148 km) and the Netherlands (450 km).

Who is the wife of Sinterklaas?

Santa however, is sometimes depicted as having a wife: Mrs. Claus. The reason why Sinterklaas has no wife or children is likely caused by the fact that he is largely based on Saint Nicholas, an early Christian bishop, and hence bound to celibacy.

What is Belgium famous for?

Famous elements of the Belgian culture include gastronomy (Belgian beers, fries, chocolate, waffles, etc.), the comic strip tradition (Tintin, the Smurfs, Spirou & Fantasio, the Marsupilami, Lucky Luke, Largo Winch, etc.), painting and architecture (the Art Nouveau, the Mosan art, the Early Netherlandish painting, the ...

Is Belgium good for Christmas?

There's a reason why this fairytale city is a favourite winter destination, as Bruges in winter is remarkable, with the best Christmas market in Belgium and some wonderful Christmas festive traditions, from St Nicolas arriving by boat to the traditional Yule Christmas chocolate log. Bruges has it all.

Does Belgium have a Christmas tree?

Traditionally, the Grand-Place in the centre of Brussels hosts a real Christmas tree each year, taken from the Ardennes forest. The normal height for these trees is around 20 metres (66 ft) high.

Does Belgium have snow?

Does it snow in Belgium? Snow is not as common as rainfall in Belgium during winters, especially in the coastal regions. But towards the interiors of the country, the temperatures drop to freezing 0° Celcius resulting in snowfall. This happens mostly during the peak of winters, in January and February.

What is Belgium Christmas dessert?

Bûche de Noel or Yule Log

The traditional dessert, made with chocolate and buttercream, served on Christmas Eve. Its log-shape refers to a time when poor people would not invest in a feast at that time of the year but a large piece of wood to warm up the house all night.

What is the main religion in Belgium?

Belgium's religious tradition is Catholic, although Protestant churches, mosques, synagogues and temples are found in most cities. About 65% of the population is Christian, of which 58% are Catholic. Members of Protestant, Eastern Orthodox churches and other Christian denominations make up 7%.

What is Belgium capital?

Brussels, city, capital of Belgium. It is located in the valley of the Senne (Flemish: Zenne) River, a small tributary of the Schelde (French: Escaut). Greater Brussels is the country's largest urban agglomeration.

What are people from Belgium called?

Belgians (Dutch: Belgen; French: Belges; German: Belgier pronounced [ˈbɛlɡi̯ɐ]) are people identified with the Kingdom of Belgium, a federal state in Western Europe. As Belgium is a multinational state, this connection may be residential, legal, historical, or cultural rather than ethnic.

What is Christmas called in Germany?

Weihnachten (German: [ˈvaɪ̯naxtn̩]) is the observance of what is commonly known in English as Christmas in the German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

What is Santa called in Germany?

Santa Claus - Der Weihnachtsmann

The term Weihnachtsmann is a very generic German term for Father Christmas, St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus. The German Weihnachtsmann is a fairly recent Christmas tradition having little if any religious or folkloric background.

What is Santa in Dutch?

According to tradition, St. Nicholas (Sinterklaas in Dutch), a 4th century bishop, appears on the night of December 5-6 loaded with gifts for Dutch children, accompanied by his curious pages, the Zwarte Pieten (Black Peters).

What continent is Belgium in?

Belgium is situated in the west of Europe, bordered to the north by the Netherlands, to the east by Germany and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and to the south and the west by France. Although its surface area of 30,688 km2 makes it a small country, its location has made it the economic and urban nerve centre of Europe.

Does Brussels celebrate Christmas?

Every year, our capital pulls out all the stops to offer them an unforgettable experience. Cosy Christmas markets, magical illuminations and crazy attractions transport the public to a winter wonderland. A destination worthy of the finest fairy tales, Brussels is the perfect place to celebrate Christmas.

What is Belgian Christmas fun facts?

Children leave out their shoes or baskets beside the door for their gifts. They may also leave back some hay for his horse. Children who were naughty receive warnings from their parents that they will receive a bunch of wooden sticks.