There is a common opinion that the Netherlands doesn’t have much to offer in terms of the Christmas markets. But, it’s so not true! There are many events organized during the December, with vintage Christmas markets that will transfer you back to the beginning of the 20th century or the ones located in castles or even underground caves. There are an ice skating fields in almost every city, with many Christmas concerts, Santa’s visits and a shopping opportunities for the nice Christmas presents.
Since I am a bit crazy about Christmas markets myself, I did my research here and compiled a list of Christmas markets in the Netherlands with the agenda for 2016! Take a look and let me know in the comments below if I forgot any (so I can add it to the list, as well)!
Christmas markets in the Netherlands – 2016 Agenda
Amsterdam
# Museum Market
Christmas edition of this popular place for designers and artists is taking place on 18th December. Location is, as always – Museumplein.
# Winter Pure Markt
Two Christmas editions of the Pure Markt will be organized in Sundays on 11th December in Amstelpark and in 18th December in the Park Frankendael. Stalls will be there between 11 AM and 5 PM.
# Amsterdam Light Festival
Fifth edition of ALF is taking place between 1st December and 22nd January 2017. You can see more then 35 art works made by international artists on the route. The best way to see it is on one of the special canal cruise boats or by taking a walk along the route. I am going to the Light Festival every single year and am strongly recommending it!
# Scandinavian Christmas Bazaar
This sounds like a great place to get stylish Christmas decorations you are seeing in those gorgeous Pinterest photos. It will be organized at 9th and 10th December on address: Linnaeusstraat 37, 1093 EG Amsterdam. Here is the link for more info!
# Christmas Village on Ice
One of the most beautiful places in Amsterdam, with a cozy Christmas setting. It is located at Museumplein, and the most of events are taking place from mid-December till the end of the year. You can enjoy ice skating in a huge ice skating field, after which you can worm yourself with some mulled wine in a caffe next to it.
# Winter Village in Amstelveen
Located just next to the Stadshart shopping mall, the Christmas market in Amstelveen is organized between 24th November and 26th December. For more info, take a look here.
# Dutch Ice Sculpture Festival
It will be held for the first time in Amsterdam, between 10th December and 5th February in the Arena Park in Amsterdam Zuidoost. This year’s theme is ‘Music Inspires’. However, the event is not free – entrance ticket is 16,50 EUR.
# Sinterklaas Market
Art, fashion and design market will be organized in 4th December in Westergasfabriek (Polonceaukade 27, Amsterdam). Here is the link for more info.
# Funky Xmas Market
Just a week after it (on 11th December), Funky Xmas Market is taking place at the same place! More info here!
Maastricht
The biggest Christmas market in the Netherlands and my absolute favorite, is taking place between the 2nd December and the 1st January 2017! I am actually planning to spend the Christmas weekend this year in Maastricht, and am totally looking forward to it! Main square in Maastricht is becoming a Christmas village for the whole month of December. There is an ice skating field there, a lot of stalls and a small restaurants and caffes. Here is the complete event agenda for the ‘Magical Maastricht’.
Valkenburg
Close to Maastricht is another Dutch Christmas gem – Europe’s largest underground Christmas market. Held between 18th November and 23rd December (some locations will be open till 31 December), it is one of the most popular markets in the Netherlands. Take a look for the programe and the tickets here.
Den Haag
Being a home to the Dutch king, Den Haag is in its fashion organizing the Royal Christmas Market. You can visit it from 17th until 21st December at the Lange Vijverberg. For more info take a look here.
Deventer – Dickens Festival
This one is pretty special, with a characters from Charles Dickens’ books, like Oliver Twist or Mr. Pickwick. Christmas spirit will be spread all over the town with a Christmas market on the main square and different choirs performing Christmas songs. It will be organized in 17th and 18th December. You can find more info about it here.
Haarlem
One of my favorite Christmas markets in the Netherlands is taking place on the main square (Grote Markt) in Haarlem and the shopping streets around it, in 10th and 11th December. Winter beer festival in Jopen brewery will be held at the same time, so definitely save a date for this one!
Here is a video from Haarlem’s official website that will show you some of the atmosphere from the previous years:
Alkmaar
# Vintage Christmas market
Another Christmas market with a historical setting will take place on 10th and 11th December. Alkamaar’s city streets will transform into Christmas village from the beginning of the 20th century. For more info, take a look here.
# Annual Christmas market
A week after it, on Saturday 17th December, an annual Christmas market will be organized in the shopping centre Mare between 10 AM and 7 PM. There will be many activities organized and the Christmas stalls spread throughout the mall.
Lelystad
# Lelystad geeft licht (Lelystad Gives Light)
There will be many events organized during the December in Lelystad. You can find agenda with activities here.
# Kerstmarkt Natuurpark
On Saturday 17th December between 2 and 8 PM you can visit a quite unique Christmas Market. It will be located in the Lelystad Nature Park, and will offer a variety of local products like cottage cheese, jams etc. For more info, take a look here.
Hoofddorp
Winterland in Hoofddorp is offering many events organized in the time between 4th November and 8th January. For the full agenda with all the activities, take a look here.
Arnhem
There will be a small Christmas market organized in Sunday 18th December in Sonsbeekpark. Here is the link.
Dordrecht
Dordrecht has one of the largest Christmas markets in the Netherlands, which is partly located in the town’s port, as well. It is a three day event, organized between 16th and 18th December. You can find more info here, and get a piece of the atmosphere from their official video below:
Enschede
Here is my favorite! A Medieval Christmas Market! It will be organized in Enschede, a small town close to the German border in 11th December between 11 AM and 5 PM. Here is the link where you can take a look for more info.
Groningen
Last weekend before Christmas (16th – 18th December), there will be a special event organized in Groningen. Old charter ships will fill in the canal there and will be open to visitors. There will be many activities organized, together with Christmas market, exhibitions and concerts. For the info about event, take a look here.
Leiden
Leiden is a home to only floating Christmas market in the Netherlands, located in the Nieuwe Rijn canal. It will last from 16th December until 28th December, from 12 to 9 PM. For more info, take a look here.
Heerenveen
Christmas market in Heerenveen will be organized through the city center at Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th December. There will be a lot of nice opportunities for Christmas shopping and activities for children. For the full agenda, take a look here.
Heemskerk
Could there be a nicer setting for the Christmas market then in a beautiful castle? It will be organized between 8th and 11th December in Heemskerk. Tickets for adults are 10 €, but you can buy them on line for 7,50 € only. Here is the link on their website, where you can also see a video from the last year.
Keukenhof
The other Christmas market located in a castle will be organized between 8th and 11th December in Kasteel Keukenhof. For more info, take a look here.
Utrecht
In 11th December there will be Christmas market organized in Utrecht’s oldest shopping street: the Twijnstraat.
Are you planning to visit any of the Christmas markets this year? What are your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!