Christmas Markets in Amsterdam 2026

Amsterdam doesn’t have one big Christmas market spread across its historic center, like many cities in Germany or Austria. Instead, you’ll find market stalls on Museumplein, a design market at a former gasworks, and winter attractions at the RAI exhibition center. One of the largest Christmas markets in the region isn’t even in Amsterdam. It’s in nearby Haarlem.

Which one you choose depends on what you’re looking for. Some are great for gift shopping, others are better for families with children, and a few are best visited after dark.

Christmas Events in Amsterdam in 2026

Christmas Markets and Winter Events in Amsterdam

Christmas Village at Museumplein

• Dates: December 3–27, 2026
• Opening hours: December 3–24, 12:00–21:00; December 25–26, 12:00–19:00; December 27, 12:00–18:00
• Location: Museumplein, Amsterdam
• Admission: Free

The market sits between the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Stedelijk Museum. In 2026, Christmas Village celebrates its 10th anniversary.

More than 45 vendors sell Christmas decorations, products from small designer brands, accessories, handmade gifts, and winter clothing. Food stalls offer hot drinks, sweets, and street food, including poffertjes (small, fluffy Dutch pancakes) and stroopwafels (thin waffles filled with caramel syrup).

There’s also an outdoor ice rink nearby, with views of the Rijksmuseum. It stays open longer than the market itself, from October 24, 2026, to January 16, 2027, and requires a separate ticket.

The market is fairly small, so it’s easy to combine a visit with a museum or a walk around Museumplein.

Christmas Market Haarlem

• Dates: December 11–13, 2026
• Opening hours: Friday and Saturday, 10:30–20:00; Sunday, 10:30–19:00
• Location: Grote Markt and Haarlem’s historic center
• Admission: Free

Haarlem is just 15–20 minutes from Amsterdam by train, and its Christmas market is noticeably larger than those in the capital. Nearly 350 stalls are spread across 12 locations, all connected by a walking route through the historic center.

The route starts at Grote Markt and continues along Zijlstraat, Riviervismarkt, Anegang, Schagchelstraat, Koningstraat, and other streets. Along the way, you’ll find stalls selling handmade crafts, home decorations, wooden products, ceramics, winter clothing, and food. Street musicians perform throughout the market, while choirs and other entertainers appear at selected locations. The program is busier on Saturday and Sunday.

The stalls are set among the streets and buildings of Haarlem’s old town, so it’s worth walking the entire route even if you’re not planning to buy anything. You can admire the historic facades and explore the little side streets along the way.

The beginning of the market is about a 10-minute walk from Haarlem train station. Allow half a day for your visit. Friday is less crowded, while the weekend offers more street performances.

Funky Xmas Market at Westergas

• Date: December 20, 2026
• Opening hours: 12:00–18:00
• Address: Westergas, Pazzanistraat 33, Amsterdam
• Admission: Free

You won’t find long rows of identical wooden chalets here. Funky Xmas Market is the Christmas edition of Sunday Market, featuring products from independent designers, artists, and small creative studios.

The selection is quite different from a traditional Christmas market. Expect handmade jewelry, illustrations, unusual tableware, home decorations, clothing, and vintage items. Many products are made in small batches, making this a good place to look for gifts you won’t find everywhere else.

Westergas was once a gasworks and is now a cultural complex. Its industrial brick buildings house restaurants, exhibition spaces, and creative venues. Westerpark is right next door, making it easy to extend your visit with a walk through the park.

Vendors are selected separately for the December edition, so if you’re interested in particular designers or makers, check the organizers’ website for the latest lineup. The market takes place on just one Sunday.

Amsterdam Winter Paradise

• Dates: December 17, 2026 – January 2, 2027; closed December 31
• Location: RAI Amsterdam, Europaplein
• Tickets: From €18.50, depending on the date and time

Amsterdam Winter Paradise is a large winter event held inside the RAI exhibition halls and in the outdoor area beside them.

For younger children, there are carousels, play areas, and a separate ice rink. Teenagers will enjoy the ice slides and rides. Adults can go ice skating, take a ride on the Ferris wheel, or spend the evening enjoying live music.

During the day, the focus is on family activities. After dark, concerts, light shows, and après-ski areas become the main attractions.

Most attractions are included in the ticket price. Food, drinks, and some prize games cost extra.

If you’re visiting with children, mornings are a better choice: there are fewer people, and tickets are cheaper. Children aged 3–12 receive a €3 discount on entry before 14:00.

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Amsterdam Light Festival

• Dates: November 26, 2026 – January 17, 2027
• Opening hours: Daily, 16:30–23:00; December 31 until 21:00
• Location: Canals in central Amsterdam
• Admission: Free to explore independently

The festival’s artworks aren’t gathered in one square. Instead, light installations appear along the canals, above the water, and beside historic buildings, turning the city center into an open-air exhibition.

The 2026/27 season marks the festival’s 15th edition. The anniversary program features 20 artworks inspired by Amsterdam, with artists offering their own interpretations of the city, its history, and modern life.

The walking route is about 4.5 km long, and you can choose which installations you want to see. The official app, which includes navigation and information about the artworks, costs €7.99.

Another option is a boat cruise lasting around 75 minutes. Some installations are designed to be viewed from the water.

The festival takes place after dark. You don’t have to follow the entire route; it’s easy to include a few installations in an evening walk through the city center.

Christmas Tree at Dam Square

• Period: December 2026; installation date to be confirmed
• Location: Dam Square
• Admission: Free

Every December, a large Christmas tree is traditionally installed in front of the Royal Palace on Dam Square. In previous years, it has stood around 20 meters tall, with tens of thousands of lights decorating its branches.

Unlike Museumplein, Dam Square doesn’t have a full Christmas market. The main things to see here are the tree, decorated shop windows, and illuminated buildings in the evening.

The shopping streets Nieuwendijk and Kalverstraat are just a few minutes’ walk away. The Royal Palace and De Bijenkorf department store are also nearby.

The square is usually busy with tourists during the day, but the evening lighting makes it a better time for photos.

Stadshart on Ice in Amstelveen

• Period: From November 2026; exact dates have not yet been announced
• Location: Stadsplein, Amstelveen
• Admission: Ice skating is paid

Amstelveen is located south of Amsterdam. The main attraction at this small winter event is an outdoor ice rink on Stadsplein, the town’s central square.

The rink covers around 400 m² and is suitable for both beginners and confident skaters. Alongside regular skating sessions, it hosts lessons, school events, ice discos, and activities for children.

Cafes, restaurants, and shops at the Stadshart shopping center surround the square, so it’s easy to combine skating with lunch and some Christmas shopping.

Compared with Amsterdam Winter Paradise, the atmosphere here is more relaxed. The focus is on skating rather than a wide range of attractions. It’s a good option for families who are happy to spend a couple of hours on the ice.

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