The best Christmas markets in the Netherlands

Although neighboring countries like Germany are better known for their Christmas markets, the Netherlands is home to some exciting winter events and festive fairs.

Wherever you’re living, there’s almost certainly a captivating market where you can shop for gifts, get in the spirit of Dutch Christmas, and enjoy a warm hot chocolate or mulled wine. And if the Netherlands doesn’t have what you’re looking for, why not hop across the border to Germany or Belgium?

Explore the magical world of Dutch Christmas markets in 2024, including:

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Christmas Town – Valkenburg

Valkenburg is probably the best place in the Netherlands to celebrate the festive period. This charming town in South Limburg offers 52 days of celebration, including Christmas markets, attractions, rides, parades, and theater performances.

However, the city is probably most famous for a truly unique experience – markets in caves! With the largest underground Christmas market in Europe, Valkenburg gives an atmospheric twist to your festive shopping.

You can find all the seasonal happenings in the Municipal and Velvet Caves, which are home to gorgeous decorations, plenty of stalls, and tasty treats for the tired shopper. Meanwhile, the Wilhelmina Cave houses figures depicting the Christmas story, so you can reconnect with the spiritual side of the holiday.

Christmas in MergelRijk: 16 November 2024 – 5 January 2025
Christmas markets in the Municipal/Velvet Caves: 16 November – 29 December 2024
Winter Wonderland at the Kabelbaan Valkenburg theme park: 15 November 2024 – 5 January 2025

Amsterdam – Ice Village

Amsterdam is home to several Christmas markets and other events that are sure to warm you during the winter months. For example, one of the city’s biggest, Ice Village Amsterdam, fills Museumplein with merriment. As it’s located in the center of the city, it’s impossible to miss it.

Among its 45+ stalls, you’ll find all kinds of unique gifts and plenty of delicious snacks and drinks. There’s even a skating rink, so lace up your skates and enjoy an atmospheric evening on the ice.

If you’re looking for something a little different, then check out the ever-popular Funky Xmas Market, a one-day Christmas market in the trendy Westergasfabriek venue. Expect local foodies, homemade crafts, music, and art. In recent years, it’s become an institution and is adored by locals and those from farther afield. With this in mind, if you want to escape the tourists and generic markets, this one’s for you.

Nevertheless, Christmas markets aren’t the only popular way to get in the festive spirit in Amsterdam. While the days get darker in December, the capital gets lighter – partly thanks to the Amsterdam Light Festival. Why not start your season with a lit-up tour of the capital?

Ice Village Amsterdam: 12 – 26 December 2024
Funky Xmas Market: 15 December 2024
Amsterdam Light Festival: 28 November 2024 – 19 January 2025

Winter Village – Amstelveen

If you’d rather escape the crowds of Amsterdam, check out Winter Village Amstelveen. This Christmas market takes place in the suburb of Amstelveen, just south of Amsterdam. Despite being further out of the big city, it’s still an exciting occasion. Try out ice-skating, grab a glühwein, and enjoy the atmosphere. Make sure to check their web page for special Christmas events during the market.

Winter Village Amstelveen: 30 November 2024 – 5 January 2025

Royal Christmas Fair – The Hague

Royal Christmas Fair The Hague is one of the Netherlands’ most magical Christmas markets. It’s located in the tree-lined Lange Voorhout in The Hague, a perfect place for a winter wonderland. It has over a hundred Christmas stalls to buy decorations and gifts, a bar, and even a stage where you can be entertained by talented performers and carol singers.

The fair is free to all, and only a short walk from Centraal Station. Once you’ve visited the market, there’s plenty nearby to see and do – why not do some Christmas shopping on the fancy Noordeinde? After a long day of bargain-hunting, wind down in a cozy bar close by.

Royal Christmas Fair The Hague: 5 – 23 December 2024

Magical Maastricht – Maastricht

Located on the Vrijthof, Maastricht‘s charming Christmas market features lots of vendors, an indoor ice rink, and a Ferris wheel. This market is one of the Netherlands’ most beautiful, thanks to its stalls’ stunning decorations and red roofs.

It’s a great choice for fans of oliebollen and mulled wine, and has a host of unique, cozy Christmas gifts on offer. Children can also enjoy a carousel and a giant slide, making Maastricht’s Christmas market the perfect place for a festive family trip.

Magical Maastricht: 28 November – 30 December 2024

Winter Wonder Weken – Leiden

There’s much to celebrate in the small city of Leiden during the winter period. The Winter Wonder Weken (Winter Wonder Weeks) consists of a program of events, including the arrival of Sinterklaas, a nostalgic fair, and even a floating ice rink.

Meanwhile, a Christmas market takes place at the Hooglandse Kerkgracht – a five-day-long collection of wooden chalets selling Christmas gifts and festive food and snacks.

Floating ice rink: 7 December 2024 – 5 January 2025
Christmas market: 14 – 22 December 2024

Country and Christmas Fair – Vijfhuizen

The Country and Christmas Fair recently moved to Vijfhuizen, to the east of Haarlem. For 25 years, this fair has been held in historical locations, offering an atmospheric outdoor market and plenty of festive cheer. Visitors come from all over the world to admire the gorgeous decorations, explore the many wares, and enjoy tasty treats such as Glühwein and poffertjes. A market for more than shopping – the ambiance is a real experience.

Country and Christmas Fair: 19 – 24 November 2024

Other Christmas markets in the Netherlands and Europe

Can’t get enough of the Christmas spirit? There are plenty of other Christmas markets in the Netherlands, including:

• Arnhem: Christmas Market, 15 December 2024
• Deventer: Dickens Festijn, 14 – 15 December 2024
• Drunen: Dickens Festijn, 21 – 22 December 2024
• Gouda: Winter Fair, 14 December 2024
• Groningen: Winter Gold (Wintergoud), 6 December 2024 – 5 January 2024
• Vianen: Christmas Parade, 14 December 2024

If you’re elsewhere on the continent, that doesn’t mean missing out on the festive cheer! Check out Christmas markets in:

• Belgium
• Germany
• Portugal
• Spain