If you happen to be in the Netherlands in December, you should not worry that you will miss on the Christmas spirit. From the historic cobblestone alleys of Dordrecht to the vibrant squares of Amsterdam and the cozy corners of Maastricht, the Netherlands is ready to celebrate Christmas. Read further to find out which are the best Christmas markets and festivals in the Netherlands.
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Is Christmas celebrated in the Netherlands?
Although Christmas is celebrated all over the country, this holiday is not in the focal point during the winter festive season in the Netherlands. Dutch have their own celebrations and they revolve around Sinterklaas. This is also why there are no special traditions around Christmas in the Netherlands, like no typical food eaten at Christmas or other rituals to celebrate. Traditional Christmas markets are also not widely spread.
There are however some local differences. In South Limburg, for example, you will find a bunch of traditional Christmas markets, while in the rest of the country there will be winter fairs or festivals with winter entertainment, like skating rinks, tube gliding, and food and drink stalls.
Historically, Christmas fairs and Carnival celebrations (the last week before Lent starts) have been always connected with the Roman Catholicism, and the most provinces of the Netherlands being strongly protestant have made those celebrations disappear, besides in the Southern provinces of North Brabant, and especially in South Limburg, where those traditions are still alive.
Sinterklaas in the Netherlands
The Dutch festive season begins already in November with the preparations for the Sinterklaas holiday. Sinterklaas is more or less the equivalent of Christmas and Santa Clause. Actually, Santa Clause is based on the figure of Sinterklaas. Sinterklaas on its turn is based on Saint Nicholas of Myra (270-343), a Christian bishop, born in modern-day Turkey, a patron saint of children, sailors, and merchants among others.
In Dutch tradition, Sinterklaas, or Sint-Nikolaas, lives in Spain and arrives in the Netherlands on a steamboat in mid-November. His arrival is celebrated all over the country with parades and special events organized by the city councils in small and large cities.
The culmination of the celebrations is the so-called Pakjesavond on 5 December, when Dutch exchange presents, creatively disguised in humorous packaging, called surprises, and accompanied by a a self-written humorous poem. The day after the celebration, on his name day Sinterklaas says goodbye and off he goes back to Spain.
Best Christmas markets in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands you won’t find that many Christmas markets as in Germany or Northern France, but there are still few good ones absolutely worth visiting. Lots of places in the Netherlands would have a weekend-long Christmas market, or some other Christmas celebrations. The largest Christmas markets in the Netherlands are the ones in Maastricht and Valkenburg.
Valkenburg Christmas Market in the caves
15 November 2024 – 5 January 2025
In the festive season Valkenburg transforms into a bustling Christmas town. Thousands come to this small southern Dutch town to experience a traditional Christmas: roasted chestnuts, holiday shopping, and wonderful sights and smells. Adorned with lights and Christmas greenery, the historic town of Valkenburg in South Limburg is perhaps the most visited Christmas market in the Netherlands.
There are 3 underground Christmas markets in Valkenburg: in the Municipal Cave, in the Velvet Cave, and in Mergelrijk, a Santa’s village, where you can indulge in special Christmas treats and meet with friends and family for a mug of gluhwein.
Twice a week there is a Christmas parade (Landal Christmas Parade) through the streets of the town and you can play curling at the foot of Wilhelmina Tower and then get the chairlift to the top to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Christmas lights.
If you are staying in Amsterdam, Rotterdam or The Hague you can visit the Christmas Market in Valkenburg with a special day tour:
- Valkenburg Christmas Market from Amsterdam
- Valkenburg Christmas Market from Rotterdam
- Valkenburg Christmas Market from The Hague
Tip: Prepare your visit to the Valkenburg Christmas Market with this complete guide.
Maastricht Christmas Market
28 November – 30 December 2024
Christmas in Maastricht is magical! During the winter season, the whole city of Maastricht is festively decorated, which makes it the perfect destination to get into the Christmas mood. Besides for the Christmas Market, Maastricht is also popular among the locals as a shopping destination and the Dutch love to spend the weekend in this beautiful southern city.
The Christmas market is held on the famous Vrijthof square – the perfect setting for any Christmas market with the lovely St. John’s Church and St. Servatius Basilica as a backdrop. Actually the full name of the Christmas market is Magical Maastricht on Vrijthof (Magisch Maastricht op het Vrijthof). Vrijthof is perhaps the most iconic square in the city, lined up with the two beautiful churches on one side and lots of cafes and restaurants on the opposite side. It is the place to be when you visit Maastricht.
The most famous attraction at the market is the gigantic, 45 m high, Ferris wheel. From the top of the Ferris wheel there’s a breathtaking view over the Christmas village and the city. Another super fun thing to do at the Christmas market is skating. It doesn’t matter if you can skate or not. This is the moment to try it and have fun!
If you are staying in Amsterdam, Rotterdam or The Hague you can visit the Christmas Market in Maastricht with a special day tour:
- Maastricht Christmas Market from Amsterdam
- Maastricht Christmas Market from Rotterdam
- Maastricht Christmas Market from The Hague
Tip: Prepare your visit to the Maastricht Christmas Market with this complete guide.
Dordrecht Christmas Market
14-15 December 2024
Although the Christmas market in Dordrecht is held in the weekend before Christmas, the celebrations continue a month long with lots of winter entertainment. There’s 1,5 km long walking route along artworks from light in the historical city centre, called Dwaalspoor.
Then there is the weekend-long Christmas market with traditional Christmas stalls, gluhwein and lots of artisanal goods, traditional treats, and seasonal decorations.
Between Christmas and the New Year’s Eve there is the Winterplein (Wintersquare) in the church yard of the Grote Kerk, with cozy wooden chalets offering hot drinks and typical Dordrecht-made treats. For the kids there is a nostalgic carousel.
Practical info:
- Dwaalsppor – 15-30 December 2024
- Christmas Market – 14-15 December 2024
- Winterplein – 26-30 December 2024
Haarlem Christmas Market
13-15 December 2024
If you want to go back in time then you should visit Haarlem in December! During the weekend-long Christmas Market the Schagchelstraat is transformed into the Street of Emma, where you go back in time to a real 19th-century Christmas fair and the Kleine Houtstraat is completely decorated in the style of the Middle Ages.
The Christmas market in Haarlem takes places in the historical centre of the city. There are 350 stalls spread over 12 locations in the city centre. Winter entertainment on the streets, as well as many shows are happening all over the city.
Royal Christmas Fair in The Hague
5-23 December 2024
Do you want to spend Christmas like a royal, then you should head to The Hague. The Royal Christmas Fair takes place at Laange Voorhout, the historical heart of The Hague, surrounded by the Binnenhof, Noordeinde Palace, and various museums.
There is Bar Berlin, Bar Munich, and Bar Dusseldorf, where you can have a mug with mulled wine or hot chocolate with friends and family, watch the shows and have fun. There is also the Royal Chirstmas House, where you can grab a bite, and the Royal Christmas Stage with daily performances.
The whole city of The Hague is festively decorated which makes a perfect weekend-trip destination for a bit of Christmas magic.
Practical info:
- Location: Laange Voorhout
- Opening times: daily, from 12:00 to 21:00
Winter Festivals in the Netherlands
Every town and city in the Netherlands will have some entertainment before Christmas or in the week between Christmas and the New Year. Quite popular are the skating rinks, as Dutch love to skate. So there will be usually a skating rink with a place to have some drinks a grab a sandwich with a German-type of sausage.
These are the most popular winter festivals in the Netherlands:
Dickens Festival Deventer
14-15 December 2024
The Dickens Festival in Deventer is one of the most popular winter festivals in the Netherlands, attended by more than 125,000 visitors each year. During the Dickensfestijn (Dickens Festival) the 19th-century English city of Charles Dickens is revived in all its glory.
In the historic Bergkwartier, more than 950 characters from the famous books of this English writer come to life every year: from Scrooge to Oliver Twist, from Mr. Pickwick to the Christmas Carol Singers, from orphans to office clerks and posh people.
Practical info:
- Route: Walstraat, Golstraat, Damstraat, Roggestraat, Bergstraat, Bergkerkplein, Kerksteeg, Bergschild and Menstraat
- Entry: Keizerstraat
- Opening times: 11 am – 5 pm
Dickens in the Castle
27-29 December 2024
Dickens in the Castle is another winter festivals in the Netherlands in the spirit of the Dickens’ Christmas Carol. With the Castle of Limbricht (South Limburg) as a backdrop, this festival is truly magical and heartwarming. There’s tons of entertainment: music bands, carol singers, theatre shows, magicians, and all this in the style of 19th-century England!
There’s also a market with local produce and local crafts. And if you get hungry or thirsty, and believe me you will get both, there’s even mini food truck festival with winter-licious food!
Practical info:
- Address: Castle of Limbricht, Allee 1, 6141 AV Limbricht
- Tickets: you need to reserve a ticket in advance
- Opening times: your ticket has a starting time but you can stay till the end of the evening. Starting times are every 30 minutes from 4 pm till 7 pm
Amsterdam Light Festival
28 November 2024 – 19 January 2025
The Amsterdam Light Festival is another popular winter festival. Lasting for around two months, typically from late November to late January, the festival showcases a diverse range of light art, ranging from mesmerizing sculptures to immersive projections on buildings and bridges.
Visitors can explore the installations by walking, cycling, or taking a boat tour along the illuminated canals, experiencing the city in a completely transformed and magical light, which I can highly recommend.
Read more: How to spend one perfect day in Amsterdam
Each year, the festival revolves around a central theme, inspiring artists to create unique and innovative light artworks that enchant and captivate audiences of all ages. The ’23/’24 theme of the festival is Loading…, so I expect some mind-blowing light creations this year.
Practical info:
- Lights are on: from 5 pm till 10/11 pm
Amsterdam Winter Paradise
18 December 2024 – 5 January 2025
Amsterdam Winterparadijs (Winter Paradise) is a winter fair that takes place in and outside RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre. It is the largest winter event in the Netherlands.
There is plenty to do both during the day and in the evening. You can skate under a blanket of lights on the 3400 m2 indoor and outdoor skating rink, enjoy the view of Amsterdam from the gigantic Ferris wheel or the high swing ride and slide down the tube slide on real snow! Kids will also love the Winter Paradise. There is a children’s skating rink, a mini Ferris wheel, and a Kids Silent Disco.
Read more: How to spend one perfect day in Amsterdam
Amsterdam Winterparadijs is the ultimate place for winter entertainment in Amsterdam! There’s even real snow and you can ski between the Christmas trees or have a snowball fight with your friends or family. For some nostalgia you can roast marshmallows over a crackling fire or go to the Winter Cinema for a classic Christmas movie.
Practical info:
- Address: Europaplein 24, 1078 GZ Amsterdam
- Opening hours: from 9 am till 11 pm (some days till midnight)
Winter Time in Heerlen
12 December 2024 – 5 January 2025
Wintertijd (Winter TIme) is a winter-themed festival in the Southern Dutch city of Heerlen. For almost a month the city center is transformed into a winter fun zone, with a Christmas market, ice skating rinks, light displays, musical performances, and other seasonal attractions.
There’s also a Winter Cafe to enjoy drinks with friends and family in an après-ski-like atmosphere. The spirit of the winter season is everywhere and although Heerlen is not a very touristy city, it is quite popular among the locals with its winter festival.
Winter Efteling
11 November 2024 – (not yet announced) 2025
Winter Efteling is a real winter Wonderland. As if the whole theme park puts his winter clothes on – all attractions get special winter decoration. There’s artificial snow and you can warm up your hands at the bonfires at each square. There’s this cheery wintery atmosphere everywhere. Although some of the rides aren’t open in winter (like the Piraña or the Flying Dutchman), there is a huge skating rink at the Ice Palace, as well as daily entertainment shows.
I love how they perfection details at the Efteling. For example, all street lights get icicles hanging from them, the young goats from the The Wolf and the Seven Young Goats get winter pullovers and wrapped in shawls and there are tiny skis propped outside on the house, the bird in the front of the Bird Rok dark ride gets a shawl and a Santa hat.
Also you will be able to see to the new Efteling attraction Danse Macabre, which will be introduced on 31 October 2024.
And when it does snow on those rare occasions in the Netherlands, there isn’t a place more magical than the Efteling. Then you can see how real and subtle the winter decoration actually is – nothing over the top, as it naturally blends with the snow.
Tip: Prepare your visit to the Efteling with this complete guide.
Final words
Although there are not that many Christmas markets in the Netherlands compared to Germany or Northern France, still the Netherlands can be your Christmas market destination, especially the Southern province of South Limburg. On the other hand winter festivals and winter entertainment is quite popular in the Netherlands with skating rinks in almost every town and village.
Do you need some extra help to plan your trip to the Netherlands? Join the dedicated Exploring the Netherlands Facebook Group, where you can get tips from other travellers and locals. Or perhaps you have questions or comments? Join the group and I’ll be happy to answer them.
