Christmas in Belgium is also the Ice Festival
It’s December and, in Belgium, that usually means one thing…the annual Snow and Ice Festival.
This year, the famous ice spectacular will be held in not one but two Belgian cities: Bruges and Liege.
In both cases, this highly impressive display of ice sculpting takes place directly in front of the main rail stations of each city, ideal for those visiting by train from Brussels. This year the event also pays special tribute to a special Disney landmark: the 25th anniversary of Disneyland Paris. But, whatever the theme, with its incredible ice sculptures this remarkable exhibition never fails to impress.
The 2017 version is no different with very scores of carefully crafted ice creations paying homage to the world of Disney and Pixar. Visitors, and there are usually thousands of them, are always enchanted by the lives of princes and princess’. You can climb to the balcony overlooking the whole display for a photograph and then round it all off by sliding down the ice slide.
In a huge labour of love, artists from all over the world have worked for months to carve a magical world of magic and emotion out of the ice. A show spokesman sad, “We have been working for weeks with international artists from different nationalities. We transformed tonnes of ice into these Disney characters.”
The ice exhibition hopes to attract 200,000 visitors to see their Disney favourites.
Top tip: Warm clothing is definitely recommended (the temperature is constant -6°C!) but afterwards you can enjoy a hot drink in the ice bar at each venue.
The Festival of Ice and Snow Sculpture is open every day over the Christmas and New Year period (there is also a show in Metz, France). The expo is aimed at young and old alike and a Christmas market is also held near the venues whilst an open-air ice rink will welcome the more adventurous amongst visitors. It makes for an ideal outing over the festive season, an opportunity to see your favourite Disney characters in a totally new light.
Be warned: Don’t forget the warm clothing and be ready to emerge from this wonderful experience with red noses and cheeks!
Good to Know:
Tickets are on sale at the ticket offices at the entrance of the festival. It is not necessary to book:
- Adult ticket: €12
- Student ticket: €10
- Senior ticket over 65 years old: €10
- Disabled ticket: €10
- Child ticket 4 – 11 years old: €8
- Children up to 3 years old have free access to the festival.
