Christmas markets Netherlands: these are the very best
The air is cold, the lights are twinkling and everywhere you smell cinnamon and glühwein. Yep, it's that time again: the Christmas market season is here. You know the drill: those wooden stalls, comforting warm food, children running around and somewhere in the background you hear “Last Christmas” blaring just a bit too loudly from a speaker. What could be more fun than wandering around Christmas markets? You probably immediately think of the queen of Christmas markets, aka Germany. But honestly? No one really wants to drive that far to Dresden or Oberhausen. For that cozy Christmas feeling, you don't even have to cross the border: you can find plenty of markets in our own country where you can happily disappear.
1. Valkenburg (Nov 14 – Jan 4)
Valkenburg is basically the Lapland of the Netherlands. Here, you don't just go to a Christmas market: you literally descend into the Christmas caves. So it's really not a boring affair – you walk on the largest underground Christmas market in Europe, with thousands of lights and picturesque stalls. Have you seen the Municipal Cave market? Then the fun is far from over. At the Christmas market Velvet Cave you walk in beautiful, warm light among the decorations and stalls, while Christmas music plays from the speakers. Of course, there's plenty to do above ground as well, like a ride on the cable car where you overlook the entire city and Santa’s Village visit. This Christmas square is packed with cozy stalls, sparkling lights, and a photobooth where even Santa Claus would feel at home. And when the illuminated parade moves through the city, it feels like you're walking around Disneyland Paris for a moment.
@danila.reizen This is the most beautiful place in the Netherlands to visit around Christmas and in 3 weeks it will be open again! 🎄🎅🏻✨ Are you still looking for a fun day out? Then this outing in your own country is definitely a recommendation! Also perfect to combine with 2 other Christmas/winter destinations! ❄️☃️💙 Tag the person you want to take a trip with around Christmas! 💕 #reizen #cheaptravel #christmas #christmas #christmasmarket
2. Maastricht (Nov 29 – Dec 30)
We're staying in Limburg, because you must of course also visit Magical Maastricht the Vrijthof. That Vrijthof is already a great square with medieval architecture, but at Christmas? It becomes even more beautiful. Everywhere lights twinkle, the smell of glühwein and cinnamon hangs in the air, and the wooden chalets make it seem like you've landed in Germany. Stroll through the market, drink some glühwein, skate a round on the ice rink, and take a moment to relax in the Ferris wheel. It can all be done in Maastricht – yes, even trying the Austrian Almhütte. That will be a treat.
@dominikalap_ 📍Maastricht- best christmas market, which you need to visit this year #maastricht #maastricht2023 #maastrichtchristmas #maastrichtchristmasmarket #chritsmasmarket #christmasmarkt #thebestchristmasmarket #christmasmarketnetherlands #christmas #christmas2023 #winter #winterwonderland #maastrichtmoments #jarmarkbozonarodzeniowy #jarmark #jarmarkswiateczny #december #grudzień #fyp #foryoupage #foryou
♬ The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) – Nat King Cole Trio
3. Deventer (Dec 13 – Dec 14)
Did you know that you can even find the Dickens Festival here? That's really cool. Yes, Dickens, the writer. Everywhere in the city, you see women and men dressed in 19th-century English clothes. With over 950 characters from his books, this old city really comes to life. From genteel folks and orphans to Scrooge and Oliver Twist – they're all wandering around. Isn't that just too fun? The Bergkwartier is the main attraction, full of carol singers, wooden stalls, and that typical nostalgic atmosphere of gas lamps and roasted chestnuts. I can almost hear Christmas music already. Yes... this is really Christmas.
@anastasiia_.p._ absolute must in the netherlands! #dickens #dickensfestival #deventer #deventercity #festival #christmastiktok #christmasvacation #charlesdickens
4. Amsterdam (Dec 1 – Dec 31)
Ice skating at the Museumplein, who wouldn't want that? It's not the Rockefeller Center, but it's just as cozy. For me, it's a bucket list item, with those beautiful canal houses decorated in Christmas lights and all that cheerful music. And have you heard about the Amsterdam Winter Paradise? This indoor market has become super popular in recent years. You arrive in a large hall with all sorts of wooden stalls. There's even a stall from the Cookie Man. You want to go there, right? The paradise continues outside the hall with attractions like curling, a lit-up Ferris wheel, a large snow slope where you can slide down on a tube, a cakewalk, a high swing carousel, ice racing, and a boomerang track. So there's a lot to do here; also partying at the music stage with artists like André Hazes, Yves Berendse, Tino Martin, Gerard Joling, Antoon, Zoë Tauran, Russo, and Xander de Buisonjé.
This paradise is also great for kids, as there is a small carousel, a children's ice rink, a train, a merry-go-round, a snow garden, and a magical theater, Rudolph's carousel, a mini Ferris wheel, a miniature magical ‘small kingdom’ where the little ones can be amazed, you can get your face painted, there's a kids' club, and a children's ice rink. Isn't that ideal? The music stage is also fun for the kids, with performances by Buurman & Buurman, Fireman Sam, Bing, Woezel & Pip, and teacher Roos.
In addition, you also have the Christmas Village Amsterdam at the Museumplein. Do you want to see your breath in the cold while enjoying a hot chocolate? Then you need to be here. There are already 45 little houses and food spots – from food trucks to real wooden chalets. You'll definitely fill an evening here. There's even a Santa house with a chair and all. Speaking of Christmas vibes.
@jessdoestravels Amsterdam is magical at Christmas time 💫🎄🇳🇱 #amsterdam #christmas #amsterdamchristmas #christmasmarket #wintertrip
5. The Hague (Dec 4 – Dec 14)
The Royal Christmas Fair is a market that truly feels royal, with those 18th-century buildings. I wonder what has happened behind those white windows. What would their Christmas tree have looked like? It feels like you're stepping back into history while walking through the atmospheric lane. This market isn't as big as the ones in Germany, but it's really nice with those cute illuminated wooden houses and a coziness factor of 8 on a scale of 10. It's just cozy enough. Oh, one more tip: go further into the city, because this is really a picture.
@annafrederique99 Can't wait for Christmas ❄️🎄❤️ One of the nicest Christmas markets, The Royal Christmas Fair, will be held this year from December 4 at Lange Voorhout! #thehague #denhaag #christmas #christmasmarket #winter
6. Haarlem (Dec 12 – Dec 14)
A bit like in The Hague, you have a smaller market in Haarlem, but that doesn't mean it's nothing, you know. This screams Christmas coziness. I'm currently under a blanket, but I'd rather jump up and travel to Haarlem. From cute stalls to the best Christmas decorations. And have you seen those waffles? Well. Unbelievable. I can almost smell them. This is fun for an outing with the whole family. Can you see yourself walking here, with a red nose and all?
@jessdoestravels A magical Christmas market to visit in the Netherlands 💫🎄Haarlem Christmas market is open from December 13 to 15, 2024! #netherlands #haarlem #christmasmarket #christmas #amsterdam #europechristmasmarkets
7. Leiden (Dec 12 – Dec 21)
The Nostalgic Christmas Market is one of those markets where you – the name says it all – end up in a bucket of nostalgia. Just imagine: you're walking down a wet street. It's still gloomy outside, as it rained an hour ago. On the side of the street, you see large mansions, those beautifully dark stone buildings that give you the feeling you're walking in a museum. In front of them are wooden houses, those stalls with Christmas trees and walls that are decorated from top to bottom with lights. You want to be there, right?
Besides the market, there's something very Christmas-like in Leiden that I really can't leave unmentioned. Annies Bar Restaurant has glass Christmas domes where you can dine. Christmas what? Yes, those large glass domes decorated with Christmas lights. Here you can taste the holidays in style.
@anniesbarrestaurant From November 5, the winter domes are back on the most beautiful terrace in Leiden.✨ Want to be sure of a spot? Reservations can be made now at www.annies.nu #leiden #winterwonderweken #christmas #christmasmarket #dagjeuit
8. Groningen (Nov 29 – Dec 14)
And then there's a place you might not expect to hear: Groningen. Yes, the countryside. The Achterhoek. Cows. Yes, that place. The winter event Wintergoud is at the Grote Markt, in the heart of the city. Check out the super big tree, skate like a child, drink a glass of wine next to the Ferris wheel. Yes, this is really fun.
Is there anything else in Groningen? Well, you won't believe your eyes, but there's a Christmas market in Vesting Bourtange. This restored 16th-century fort is shaped like a pentagon. You can travel back in time to 1742 here all year round, but at Christmas, it becomes really special. The market with nearly a hundred stalls is a paradise for lovers of Christmas items and gifts. When you walk into this area, it really feels like you're in Back to the Future. That gate alone looks so cool. And those stalls, combined with that old architecture? Sign me up. There's even street theater and light shows. And for those artisanal snacks, you'll definitely want to stop by.
@travelsbyangelina love this time of the year 💛 #groningen #christmas #christmasmarket #netherlands #december #christmastiktok #fyp
@maudpeeters_ 🎄#christmasmarket #vestingbourtange #christmas #fyp #foryoupagee
A Christmas market here, a Christmas market there — if you follow this list, you'll have plenty to do every weekend until Christmas Day. So put on your gloves, fill your mug with mulled wine, and let yourself be swept away by that delightful, nostalgic Christmas feeling.
