BELGIUM. Brussels Airport is all dressed up for Christmas and the holiday season, pampering its passengers by offering a spectacular festive atmosphere.
The Belgian hub is expecting to welcome over 1 million passengers during the holiday break and it has gone all out to ensure that its guests will leave with great memories.
The airport’s festive programme includes animations, gifts and discounts in shops and restaurants. Fairy-tale lighting, live music, children’s entertainment, inspiring last-minute gift ideas and special Christmas settings for the best Instagram photos and selfies are all designed to create a warm and inviting Christmas mood [Click here for our round-up of airport festive celebrations from around the world].
Restaurants are featuring festive menus; there’s a giant Neuhaus chocolate Christmas tree and an assortment of Belgian beers and other delights highlighted.
Festive Christmas lights on the esplanade in front of the airport building will operate until mid-January, paving the way towards decorated entrances, Christmas trees and winter scenes. Even the departures hall split-flap board has been given a striking gift wrapping thanks to Belgian company Barco.
The airport has given special attention to Belgian gastronomy in its many eateries, with Michelin-starred chef David Martin preparing food in the Black Pearls restaurant. It is also highlighting the retail line-up through shopping vouchers and tastings at The Belgian Chocolate House.
Limited-edition Christmas baubles support the Make-a-Wish foundation. The airport is also offering a free-of-charge season’s greetings service through dedicated letter boxes.
Other features include Disney Frozen animations at the family lane at security screening, a Santa Claus who welcomes passengers from his sleigh, and Christmas carols. The airport’s people movers are decorated and passengers arriving at Brussels Airport can select their favourite Christmas melody on a jukebox in the baggage hall.
Christmas elves are on-hand to take Polaroid photographs and give out ginger bread, pralines and shopping vouchers. The airport is also providing extra settings for (s)elfies and social media posts. Entertainment includes a Pier A kids’ corner, Airport Winter Games and live performances.
