December in Lille is a magical month. The city dresses up in its finest lights, Christmas markets set up on the squares, and a multitude of activities awaits residents and visitors alike. Here is our selection of the best outings and events to make the most of this festive period in the capital of Flanders.
The Place Rihour Christmas market
An unmissable year-end event in Lille, the Place Rihour Christmas market welcomes over 80 wooden chalets each year offering crafts, Christmas decorations, traditional toys and regional culinary specialities. The aroma of mulled wine and waffles fills the air, while the illuminations create a magical atmosphere that delights young and old alike.
The Christmas village is accompanied by a Ferris wheel offering a spectacular panorama of the illuminated city. From the top, you can admire the Belfry of Lille sparkling in the night, the decorated Grand'Place and the rooftops of the old town. It is a special moment to discover Lille from a different angle and celebrate the Christmas traditions of the North.
Unmissable exhibitions
December is an ideal month to visit Lille's museums, sheltered from the northern cold. The Palais des Beaux-Arts presents its temporary exhibitions in a majestic setting, while the Lille 3000 Utopia installations continue to attract the curious to various cultural venues across the metropolitan area.
The LaM (Lille Métropole Museum of Modern Art) in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, the Musée de l'Hospice Comtesse in the Vieux-Lille and the Piscine museum in Roubaix are all cultural destinations well worth a visit. Many offer reduced rates or open days during the festive period.
Year-end shows and concerts
Lille's concert venues offer special programmes for the festive season. The Lille Opera traditionally presents a seasonal show — opera, ballet or symphonic concert — that draws large audiences. The Théâtre du Nord, housed in the magnificent Grand'Garde building on the Grand'Place, also offers theatrical productions for the holidays.
For families, Lille's puppet theatres offer enchanting shows suitable for young children. The puppet theatre in the Jardin Vauban and the Théâtre Louis-Richard in the Vieux-Lille keep alive a tradition dear to the people of northern France.
Festive treats and gastronomy
December is also the month of culinary pleasures. Lille's patisseries compete in creativity to offer Christmas yule logs and artisan confectionery. Hot chocolate in the estaminets of the Vieux-Lille, thin waffles filled with vanilla and homemade speculoos biscuits are all treats to be savoured without restraint.
Lille's restaurants offer New Year's Eve menus that showcase local northern produce. From Welsh rarebit to foie gras and seafood, festive gastronomy in Lille marries regional traditions with culinary refinement. Book early, as the best tables fill up well before Christmas.
Winter walks and decorations
Lille dresses up in its finest lights in December. The illuminations on Rue de Béthune, the Grand'Place and the Vieux-Lille transform the city into a fairy-tale setting. An evening stroll allows you to admire the illuminated facades of Flemish buildings and the festively decorated shop windows.
Lille's parks and gardens, even in winter, offer pleasant walks. The Bois de Boulogne and the Jardin Vauban take on a special atmosphere with the morning frost and the last autumn leaves. It is a time for contemplation and rejuvenation before the buzz of the festivities.
Shopping and gift ideas
Lille is an ideal destination for Christmas shopping. The Euralille shopping centre, the boutiques on Rue de Béthune and the designers of the Vieux-Lille offer a wide choice for finding the perfect gift. Craft breweries offer tasting gift sets that will delight beer lovers, while the artisans at the Christmas market offer unique and original creations.
December in Lille is truly a month rich in discoveries and emotions. Whether you are with family, as a couple or with friends, the capital of Flanders offers a warm welcome and memorable experiences to close out the year in style.