December is my favourite month of a year. And a big reason for it is all the Christmas markets, decorations on streets and many winter events organised everywhere. Since I love visiting them, I’ve first compiled this list of Christmas markets in the Netherlands three years ago. And have updated it each year since. So, if you are anything like me I hope you’ll find it very useful!
Christmas Markets in the Netherlands – 2018 Agenda
There are going to be so many events organised during December in the Netherlands. From the vintage Christmas market that will transfer you back to the beginning of the 20th Century. To some located in the castles or even in the underground caves. There is an ice skating rink in almost every city, with many Christmas concerts, Santa’s visits and shopping opportunities for a nice and unique Christmas presents.
*Are you looking for lovely Christmas cards inspired by Amsterdam? Take a look at my colouring Christmas cards on a link here!
Christmas Markets in Amsterdam
It looks like there are more and more things organised during the Winter months in Amsterdam each year. Here is a blog post with 10 things you should do during the holiday season in Amsterdam. However, here are also some events and Christmas markets that are going to be held there this Winter.
# Museum Market – Dec 9th
Probably one of my favourites is Museum Market, a lovely event organised at Museumplein in Amsterdam. Designers and artists from the Netherlands are showcasing and selling their work there. Its Christmas edition will be organised on December 9th. Location is, as always – Museumplein (close to the Van Gogh Museum).
I’m very excited because this year I’m going to take part in it! I’ll be exhibiting and selling Culture Tourist colouring postcards there. And I’m going to prepare a special Christmas edition inspired by Amsterdam. So, come and say hello! You’re going to find me at the Culture Tourist stand!
*For more info about Museum Market take a look here!
# Winter Pure Markt – Dec 16th & 23rd
Two Christmas editions of the Pure Markt will be organised on Sundays, December 16th in Amstelpark and December 23rd in Park Frankendael. Stalls will be there between 11 AM and 5 PM. You can expect nice food from all around the world, homemade jams and other yummy dishes. You can also find some clothes, jewellery and toys there, as well.
*For more info about Winter Pure Markt take a look here!
# Amsterdam Light Festival – Nov 29th – Jan 20th
Sixth edition of ALF is taking place between November 29th and January 20th 2018. You can see more then 200 art installations made by international artists on the route. I am going to the Light Festival every single year and am strongly recommending it!
The best way to see it is on one of the special canal cruise boats that are following the Light Festival route. You can start it at the Central Station or at the Leidseplein (check the links for tickets). Both of these have a special promotion – if you’re going to purchase your tickets before November 30th you are going to get a 19% discount!
You can also rent a private boat with a skipper that’s going to show you all the installations on the route. Or one of the organised bike tours like the one on a link here.
# Scandinavian Christmas Bazaar – Dec 7th & 8th
This sounds like a great place to get stylish Christmas decorations you are seeing on those gorgeous Pinterest photos. It will be organized on December 7th and 8th on address: Linnaeusstraat 37, 1093 EG Amsterdam.
*For more info about Scandinavian Christmas Bazaar take a look here!
# Christmas Village on Ice – Nov 17th – Feb 3rd
‘Christmas Village on Ice’ is one of the most beautiful places in Amsterdam, with a cosy Christmas setting. It is located at Museumplein, and the ice skating rink is already open. However, most of the events are taking place from the mid-December till the end of the year. After some ice skating, you can worm yourself up with some mulled wine or a hot chocolate in a café next to the rink.
*For more info about Christmas Village on Ice take a look here!
*If you would like to explore the Museum Quarter of Amsterdam more, check out this blog post.
# Winter Village in Amstelveen – Dec 7th – Jan 6th
Located just next to the Stadshart shopping mall, the Christmas market in Amstelveen is organized between December 7th and January 6th.
*For more info about Winter Village in Amstelveen take a look here.
# Sinterklaas Sunday Market – Dec 2nd
A special Sinterklaas edition of the art, fashion and design Sunday Market will be organized on December 2nd in Westergasfabriek (Polonceaukade 27, Amsterdam).
*For more info about Sinterklaas Sunday Market take a look here.
# Funky Xmas Market – Dec 16th
Two weeks after it another special edition of the Sunday Market is going to take place – Funky Xmas Market. It’s going to be organised at the same location (Westergasfabriek) on December 16th.
*For more info about Funky Xmas Market take a look here!
Christmas Market in Maastricht
# Magical Maastricht – Dec 1st – 31st
The biggest Christmas market in the Netherlands and my absolute favourite, is taking place between December 1st and 31st! Main square in Maastricht is becoming a Christmas village for the whole month of December. There is an ice skating rink there, a lot of stalls and a small restaurants and cafés. Here is the complete event agenda for the ‘Magical Maastricht’. I’m so looking forward to go there again this year!
*Here is a complete guide to Maastricht with things you shouldn’t miss while there!
Christmas Market in Valkenburg
# Christmas Town Valkenburg – Nov 16th – Dec 23rd
Close to Maastricht is another Dutch Christmas gem – Europe’s largest underground Christmas market. Held between November 16th and December 23rd, it’s one of the most popular markets in the Netherlands. It was awarded as the ‘European City of Christmas 2018’, so it’s definitely a place that shouldn’t be missed this year!
*For more info about Christmas Town Valkenburg take a look here!
Christmas Market in Gouda
#Gouda bij Kaarslicht (Gouda by candlelight) & Winterfair – Dec 14th
On the afternoon of Friday December 14th (between the noon and late in the evening) many different events will take place in the historical centre of Gouda. From musical performances, guided tours and workshops. However, the most important event will start a few minutes before 7 PM when the main square won’t be lighted by electrical lights. But, instead of by candles.
Another beautiful thing you can already enjoy it is an ice skating rink located in an old church – Gouwe Kerk. Could there be a more beautiful setting for it?
*For more info about Gouda bij Kaarslicht and Winterfair 2018 take a look here!
Christmas Market in Den Haag
# Royal Christmas Fair – Dec 14th – 23rd
Being a home to the Dutch king, Den Haag is in its own style organizing the Royal Christmas Fair. You can visit it between December 14th and 23rd at the Lange Vijverberg.
*For more info about Royal Christmas Fair take a look here.
Christmas Market in Deventer
# Dickens Festival – Dec 15th & 16th
This is a pretty special one, 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 a different choirs performing Christmas songs. Dickens Festival is going to be held on December 15th & 16th.
*For more info about Dickens Festival take a look here.
Christmas Market in Haarlem
# Annual Christmas Market – Dec 8th & 9th
One of my favourite Christmas markets in the Netherlands is taking place on the main square (Grote Markt) in Haarlem and the shopping streets around it, on December 8th and 9th. Winter beer festival in Jopen Brewery will be held at the same time, so save a date for that one, as well!
*For more info about Haarlem Christmas market take a look here.
Here is a video from Haarlem’s official website that will show you some of the atmosphere from one of the previous years:
Christmas Market in Zvolle
# Dutch Ice Sculpture Festival – Dec 15th – Mar 3rd
Europe’s largest ice sculpture exhibition will be held between December 15th and March 3rd 2019 at IJsselhallen in Zwolle. Over one hundred ice sculptures will be exhibited. This year’s theme is ‘World famous stories’, and there are going to be some special events organised there during the Christmas holidays.
*For more info about Dutch Ice Sculpture Festival take a look here.
Christmas Market in Rotterdam
# Finish Christmas Bazaar – Nov 16th – 18th & 23rd – 25th
Annual Finnish Christmas Bazaar is going to be organised at the Rotterdam Finnish Seamen’s Mission. You can try some Finnish food and buy some of their Christmas products there. And, of course a real Santa is going to visit it, as well. It’s going to be held on November 16th to 18th and the weekend after that, on November 23rd to 25th.
*For more info about Finnish Christmas Bazaar take a look here!
*Are you planning to explore the city while there? Take a look at this travel guide to Rotterdam then!
Christmas Market in Alkmaar
# Annual Christmas Market – Dec 20th – 23rd
Annual Christmas market will be organized between December 20th and 23rd. Delicious food, Christmas decoration or performances of a special Christmas choir are just some of the things you could find there.
*For more info about Alkmaar Christmas Market take a look here.
Christmas Market in Lelystad
# Lelystad geeft licht (Lelystad Gives Light) – Dec 7th – 23rd
There are going to be so many activities organised in Lelystad between December 7th and 23rd. Christmas Market is going to be held on December 15th and a day later a famous light parade in Lelystad is going to be be organised.
*For more info about Lelystad geeft licht take a look here.
Christmas Market in Hoofddorp
# Winterland Hoofddorp – Nov 4th – Jan 8th
Winterland Hoofddorp is offering many events organized between November 4th and January 8th. From concerts, ice skating to Sinterklaas. There is definitely going to be something for everyone.
*For more info about Winterland Hoofddorp take a look here.
Christmas Market in Dordrecht
# Annual Christmas Market – Dec 14th – 16th
Dordrecht is a home to one of the largest Christmas markets in the Netherlands. And it’s partly located in the town’s port, as well. It is a three days event, organized between December 14th and 16th.
*For more info about Dordrecht Christmas Market take a look here.
You can get a piece of the atmosphere in their official video below:
Christmas in Archeon
#Archeon Winter events – Nov 25th – Jan 13th
Here is one of my favourite places to get in a holiday mood. But, with a sense of history. Archeon is hosting many events and festivities this Winter between November 25th and January 13th. From the City of Sinterklaas, Midwinter fair, Christmas Brunch to ice skating. And all that in a beautiful historical setting.
*For more info about winter events in Archeon take a look here.
Christmas Market in Groningen
# WinterWelVaart – Dec 21st – 23rd
Last weekend before Christmas (December 21st – 23rd), 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 more info about Winter WelVaart in Groningen take a look here.
Christmas Market in Leiden
# Floating Christmas Market – Dec 14th – 25th
Leiden is home to only floating Christmas market in the Netherlands. It’s located on the Nieuwe Rijn Canal. It will last from December 14th until December 25th, every day between 12 and 9 PM. There will be many other events organised during this winter in Leiden, like the House of Sinterklaas between November 25th and December 4th, for example.
*For more info about events in December in Leiden take a look here.
Christmas Market in Heerenveen
# Annual Christmas Market – Dec 14th – 16th
Christmas market in Heerenveen will be organized in a city center between Friday December 14th and Sunday December 16th. There will be a lot of nice opportunities for Christmas shopping and activities for children.
*For more info about Heerenveen Christmas Market take a look here.
Christmas Market in Heemskerk
# Castle Christmas Fair – Nov 29th – Dec 2nd
Could there be a better setting for the Christmas market then in a beautiful castle? It will be organized between the November 29th and December 2nd in Heemskerk. Tickets for adults are 12 €, but you can buy them on line for 8,75 €.
*For more info and a video from one of the previous years take a look here.
Christmas Market in Breda
# Winterland Breda – Dec 19th – 29th
Winterland Breda is going to be organised between December 19th and 29th.
*For more info, agenda and a lovely video about it take a look here.
Christmas Market in Utrecht
# Winter Utrecht – Nov 9th – Jan 13th
It’s going to be busy in Utrecht with many events this year. Between the November 9th and the January 13th 2019 concerts, different events and performances will take place there.
*For more info check the full Winter Utrecht program on a link here.
Are you planning to visit any Christmas markets this year? What are your favourite? Let me know in comments below!
*This blog post contains some affiliate links.