Christmas markets in the Netherlands: hop on!
It's the most wonderful time of the year. It's been a long time since we absolutely had to go to Germany for a bit of Christmas market hopping (since our eastern neighbors have a patent on everything related to the word Christmas and market, and sausage and beer, our other favorites). Fortunately, that is a thing of the past: we will continue to bore you with Christmas and Christmas markets for the time being, because if you are even a little bit like us, you probably can't get enough of it. The best Christmas markets in the Netherlands are on all holidays in December (and a little bit in January).
The Sustainable Christmas Market at De Ceuvel | 14 & 15 + 21 & 22 December 2024
We have been hearing for a while that the curtain will soon fall on De Ceuvel. That they should leave, but not before two more weekends of Christmas markets are celebrated! Because gotta love Café de Ceuvel during the summer months when you suddenly jump into the water, but don't forget about winter here either! They are happy to prove this to you with the Sustainable Christmas Market. Will see that. De Ceuvel
Ice Village Amsterdam, Museumplein | December 12 to 26, 2024
It is the most touristy thing you can do in our capital... And the most fun! To Ice Village Amsterdam, or the famous idyllic skating rink on Museumplein, the iconic Rijksmuseum in the background. Or the foreground, also good. No photo on the walkway is not a complete winter. Ice skating, a sausage sandwich, a stroll through the Christmas market and your day off is complete. While you're there, cross over to the Spiegelgracht with all its antique shops: a fairytale in winter when dusk falls! Ice Village is there until December 26.
Winter bar x Aa Magazine Christmas Market | December 15, 2024 (Amsterdam North)
A line through the summer bar and room has been made for the winter bar, together with Aa magazine host them one Christmas market. What can you expect? The best brands to shop from, exclusive products, Christmas music, wine and delicious food. For six euros you can parade around all day, and if you are one of the first two hundred visitors, you will get a nice gift bag.
TCL X-MAS POP-UP MARKET | December 14, 2024
Imagine yourself in a real winter wonderland at Het Sieraad. Not your go-to Christmas market, but one with handmade and vintage fashion, ceramics, interior items, art, prints and more. Here you score the most original gifts, while you treat yourself to a glass of mulled wine or hot chocolate.
Christmas Gift Shop | December 20 to 24, 2024
From interior to bags and the best gifts for under the Christmas tree. At Studio Donge you must be! You may know them from vintage tableware, furniture and product and decor design. Now host together with eleven other brands the Christmas Gift Shop.
The Willem Brocante | December 15, 2024
Restaurant De Willem is being transformed into a flea market christmas market by the girls of the time of lost antiques, Think: the most beautiful brocante and vintage items from France, such as plates, cutlery, silverware and more, perfect for your Christmas dinner. And of course there is homemade mulled wine, bratwurst and sauerkraut, oliebollen and other delicious wines!
Pillows Christmas Market | December 14 & 15, 2024
The first edition of the Christmas market at Pillows Hotel Maurits at the Park is a fact. Think: brands such as Skins, Oro Jewels, B Jewels, Blank Space, The Collectives, The Pillows Shop and more. Gifts for under the Christmas tree it is. Tickets cost six euros per person, including a hot drink and expect tasty bites from Spring Café Brasserie. Get your ticket here!
Christmas fair at the VerbroederIJ | December 21, 2024 (Amsterdam North)
Oh man, we love going to North with the kids (just the ferry is a party) and then spending the day at the VerbroederIJ. But we bet it has never been more fun than December 16th because then there is a festive Christmas market with theater, The Dance Palace, campfire and live music!
Winter market of the Pure Markt, Park Frankendael | December 22, 2024
One of the nicest markets in the city several weekends a year, especially if Christmas is Coming. Do yourself a favor and make a reservation at Restaurant De Kas right away, then your ultimate delicious day will be complete.
Funky Xmas Market, Westergas | December 15, 2024
The Sunday Markets on the Westergas may be well known by now. And rightly so, because it is always fun and delicious. But the best part is the special Funky Xmas Market: original Christmas gifts and a funky Christmas atmosphere! Live music, mulled wine everywhere and fun.
We stay in Amsterdam for that other nice well-known one: the Amsterdam Winter Paradise @ the RAI, from December 18, 2024 through January 4, 2025. We'll be rushing back there on the 18th of December this year. This year the organization is going all out again with a mega-large winter paradise. Olé. So we have plenty of fun things to try out. What? Well, for example the wonder slope, a silent après-ski bar (big chance you'll find us here), an ice race track and of course the ice rinks. And are very active on insta so you can read all about it there: @amsterdamsewinterparadijs
Maastricht of course! Duh. One of the nicest markets in the country has to be that of Magical Maastricht are. The city center of Maastricht is even more magical in winter (yo) and making a wish in the big tree is a tradition. Just like the Ferris wheel, by the way. And the skating rink. And… Well, on to Maastricht (read here what you shouldn't miss on the spot: Barts Best of Maastricht) The Magic Market will last until December 30, 2024.
You've probably heard someone say it at some point: you have to go to Valkenburg at Christmas! And it's true: the market in the caves of the Limburg city is simply special. Touristy and busy? That too. And still worth it. A holiday packed into one day. From 15 November to 29 December 2024. Kerstmarktgemeentegrot.nl
From 3 to 22 December 2024, the Jaarbeursplein will be transformed into a winter paradise. Ice skating on an indoor rink, hot chocolate with whipped cream and much more! Perfect for a day out with the kids: meet the Ice Princess and Snow Queen, go disco skating and take a picture with Santa Claus. And while the kids are having fun with Santa Claus, you can slide from the ice rink to the bar, dance to bad Christmas hits and even speed date on ice. Plus point: access to the rink and borrowing skates is completely free! Make it a weekend away with our Utrecht tips.
The largest Christmas market in the country can be found in… Dordrecht! You probably didn’t see that coming. A good opportunity to immediately test our other tips in Dordrecht: Barts Boekje x Dordrecht From December 13 to 31, the city center will be full of winter activities. Check out the Dordrecht December Days!
Another comment that we make here at all times: winter? Go get some fresh air! On to the beach. The Hague and Scheveningen usually immediately pop up because they have the best city-beach two in one package in the country. It's a bonus that in The Hague, on the Lange Voorhout, until December 23 Royal Christmas Fair can be visited. It is immediately a three-in-one. More The Hague tips? Do we have: Barts Best of The Hague.
Off to Leiden where it's cozy and cozy in the winter! A floating ice rink on the Nieuwe Rijn, a nostalgic funfair and Christmas market in the center. Between December 14 and 22, 2024, chalets, terraces and food trucks will be ready for you on the Hooglandse Kerkgracht on various days. There are performances and of course Santa Claus will be present. More information can be found here. Fortunately, we have the Winter Village in Amstelveen (November 30, 2024 to January 5, 2025).
That also applies to the Christmas market (December 13-15, 2024) in Haarlem, the best in the country according to many. And the traditional Dickens Festival in Deventer – unforgettable! (December 14 & 15, 2024)
In the north of the Netherlands, where the Eleven Cities Tour is legendary and winters are no strangers, the cozy Christmas markets of Friesland take the holidays to the next level. Here you will find the best markets to do your Christmas shopping and the cosiest stalls full of local delicacies.
Retreating to a cabin in the woods of Drenthe, occasionally climbing out to go on a trip. How nice is it to visit a village with a cozy Christmas market? Very nice, we think! Read here where the best Christmas markets in Drenthe are
Higher up in the North you will find the Swedish Christmas Market, not all the way to Sweden but in the Sugar Factory in Groningen. Here you will find unique Swedish addresses, Scandinavian beauty and handmade gadgets.
