Page 33 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Brussels Bruges Ghent & Antwerp

BRUSSELS THROUGH THE Y EAR  31

Average Monthly Temperature Temperature chart
This chart gives the
°C °F average maximum and
30 85 miminum tem peratures
24 75 for Brussels. Generally
mild, Brussels’ climate
18 65 does produce chilly
12 55 weather and cold
winters from October
6 45 to March. Spring sees
-1 30 milder temperatures
and is followed by a
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec warm summer.

authors, both new and estab­
lished, arrive for lectures and
screenings in this city, known
for its comic strip heritage.
Journées du Patrimoine/
Heritage Days (second or third
weekend). Private homes, listed
buildings and art collections
are opened for a rare public
viewing to celeb rate the
city’s architecture.
October
Hello Jazz Festival (early Christmas market in the Grand Place
Oct–mid-Dec). All over Belgium,
informal jazz concerts bring even­number years and is a January
autumnal cheer to country must for connoisseurs of the Fête des Rois (6 Jan).
towns and the capital. contemporary music world. Epiphany is celebrated with
Performers are mainly local, Nocturnes des Sablons almond cake, the galette des rois,
but some European stars fly (last weekend). Shops and and the search for the bean
in for performances in Brussels’ galleries stay open until 11pm inside that declares its finder
Palais des Beaux­Arts. Ray around the Place du Grand king for the night.
Charles and Herbie Hancock Sablon. Horse­drawn carriages Antiques Fair (last two weeks).
have appeared in past years. transport shoppers around Antiques dealers from across
the area, with mulled wine on the world gather at the fair.
offer in the festively decorated
main square. February
Winter Carnival (Thu–Shrove Tue).
Rain typifies Brussels’ winter December Many cities hold parades on
weather, and attractions move Fête de Saint Nicolas the weekend before Lent.
indoors. Art galleries launch (6 Dec). The original Santa Claus,
world­class exhibi tions and the the patron saint of Christmas,
Brussels Film Festival showcases is alleged to arrive in the city on Public Holidays
new and established talent. As this day. Children throughout New Year’s Day (1 Jan)
the festive season approaches, the country are given their Easter Sunday (variable)
the ancient Lower Town is presents, as well as sweetmeats Easter Monday (variable)
brightly lit and families gather and chocolate. Labour Day (1 May)
for Christmas and prepare Reveillon/Fête de Noel Ascension Day (variable)
traditional Belgian cuisine. (24–25 Dec). In common with Whit Sunday (variable)
the rest of main land Europe,
November Christmas is celebrated over Whit Monday (variable)
Ars Musica (mid-Nov, biennally). a feast on the evening of 24 Belgian National Day
This celebration of modern December. Gifts are given by (21 July)
music is one of Europe’s finest adults on this day, with 25 Assumption Day
festivals, boasting famous December traditionally (15 Aug)
performers and beautiful reserved for visiting extended All Saints’ Day (1 Nov)
venues, including the Musée family. The city’s Christmas Armistice Day (11 Nov)
d’Art Ancien (see pp66–7). The decorations are displayed Christmas Day (25 Dec)
festival is held biennially on until 6 January.

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