Belgium Brussels Weather in January — Climate Guide
January in Brussels is rainy
January is rainy for Brussels.
January in Brussels is cold, wet, and dark, but it's also the cheapest and least crowded month. It averages 6°C/1°C with 75mm of rain spread over many grey days.
The Christmas market (Winter Wonders) lingers into the first days of January before closing, so an early-January trip can still catch some festive atmosphere. After that the city is quiet and low-season.
Travel score
Brussels January Weather Stats
Avg High
6°C
Avg Low
1°C
Rainy Days
19
75mm total
Sunshine
1.8h
Daily avg
Humidity
86%
damp
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
18 km/h
Gusts 36
Crowds
Quiet
At attractions
January Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
16 μg/m³
PM10
26 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
3°C
Nighttime
-2°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
18 km/h
Max gust 36 km/h
Activities Recommended for January
January Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lowest hotel prices of the year
- Smallest crowds at attractions
- Early-January tail of the Christmas market
- BRAFA art & antiques fair (late January)
Cons
- Cold, damp, and frequently grey
- Short daylight (sunset before 5pm)
- Many rainy days (19)
- Limited outdoor appeal
January Events & Festivals
- New Year (Jan 1) — quiet, some closures
- Tail of the Christmas market / Winter Wonders (early January)
- Brussels Antiques & Fine Arts Fair (BRAFA) — late January
- Low season — lowest hotel prices of the year
Brussels in January — Full Picture
January in Brussels is cold, wet, and dark, but it's also the cheapest and least crowded month. It averages 6°C/1°C with 75mm of rain spread over many grey days.
The Christmas market (Winter Wonders) lingers into the first days of January before closing, so an early-January trip can still catch some festive atmosphere. After that the city is quiet and low-season.
BRAFA, one of Europe's notable art and antiques fairs, runs in late January and draws collectors to Brussels. Otherwise this is a month for indoor pleasures — the Magritte Museum, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, the Galeries Royales, and long sessions in chocolate shops and beer cafés.
Daylight is short (sunset before 5pm) and skies are typically overcast, so plan museum-heavy days and keep a rain jacket handy. Hotel prices are at their yearly low, and the city's weekday-business rhythm means weekends can be especially good value.
Note: it rarely freezes hard or snows heavily, but damp cold feels sharp — dress in warm, waterproof layers.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Cold, damp, and grey — averages 6°C/1°C with frequent drizzle and only brief daylight. A warm coat, scarf, hat, and gloves, plus a waterproof layer. Snow is occasional rather than heavy; pavements can be wet and slick.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
14.3°C
5.7°C
15.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
22.3°C
13.3°C
13.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
15°C
7.7°C
15/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current6.7°C
1.3°C
17.7/mo
Brussels Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6° | 1° | 19d·75mm | 1.8h | 86% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 7° | 1° | 16d·65mm | 2.6h | 83% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 11° | 3° | 16d·65mm | 3.8h | 78% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 14° | 5° | 15d·55mm | 5.2h | 73% | 4 | Busy | Peak | |
| May (Best) | 18° | 9° | 15d·65mm | 6.2h | 71% | 5 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 21° | 12° | 14d·70mm | 6.6h | 70% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 23° | 14° | 13d·75mm | 7h | 71% | 6 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 23° | 14° | 13d·75mm | 6.4h | 73% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| 20° | 11° | 13d·60mm | 5h | 76% | 4 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| 15° | 8° | 15d·75mm | 3.6h | 82% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 10° | 4° | 17d·75mm | 2h | 86% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 7° | 2° | 18d·80mm | 1.6h | 87% | 1 | Busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Brussels January Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit Brussels?
Brussels in January is rainy. Tourist crowds are quiet and flight/hotel prices are low season.
What's the average temperature in Brussels in January?
Brussels January averages a high of 6°C and a low of 1°C.
Does it rain much in Brussels in January?
Brussels January averages 75mm of rainfall over about 19 rainy days.
What should I wear in Brussels in January?
Cold, damp, and grey — averages 6°C/1°C with frequent drizzle and only brief daylight. A warm coat, scarf, hat, and gloves, plus a waterproof layer. Snow is occasional rather than heavy; pavements can be wet and slick.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Brussels in January?
Brussels January sunrise is 08:45 and sunset is 16:50, with 8h 05min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Brussels in January?
Brussels January air quality (AQI) averages 42, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 16μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Brussels in January?
In January, Brussels is great for Magritte Museum & Royal Museums of Fine Arts, Galeries Royales & chocolate shops, Belgian beer cafés (À la Mort Subite, Delirium).
Is January peak season in Brussels?
Brussels January crowds are quiet and prices are low season. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Brussels
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.