New Year's Eve Carillon in Bruges

Fri 31 Dec 2010

The picturesque Market Square in the heart of Bruges fills up on December 31st every year as people gather to ring in the New Year.

Visitors can enjoy listening to carillon music which is played long into the night, giving a wonderful festive atmosphere to the occasion. The carillon music is worth braving the cold for it is an unusual instrument with a distinctive sound.

Composed of at least 23 carillon bells, the carillon instrument is played via a keyboard, with the larger bells operated by pedals. It is a traditional instrument of the Low Countries and there remains a relatively large number still in Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as northern France and north-west Germany.

The traditional countdown is observed just before midnight, while the New Year itself is greeted with cheers and hugs all around.

This is a wonderfully friendly event for visitors on a short break over the New Year, as the locals come out in force and seem willing to celebrate with anyone and everyone! Visitors are advised to wrap up warm if they plan to ring in the New Year in Bruges' Market Square – it is often laden with snow around this time of year, making for a pretty sight but also a cold evening.

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