Christmas Markets in the Netherlands 2026

Traveling to the Netherlands in December? Some of the most interesting Christmas events take place not in Amsterdam, but in smaller towns and cities, and a few last just two or three days. In Haarlem, Christmas market stalls fill entire streets, in Valkenburg, the markets are held inside caves, and in Deventer, visitors are greeted by characters from Charles Dickens’ novels.

Here are 11 cities and towns worth visiting, with dates, locations, and details about what makes each event special.

Valkenburg: Christmas Markets in Caves

• Dates: November 13 – December 30, 2026
• Location: Gemeentegrot, Cauberg 4; Fluweelengrot, Daalhemerweg 27
• Admission: €9–11 for adults, with cheaper tickets for children.

Valkenburg has two Christmas markets set inside limestone caves. Gemeentegrot features long underground galleries lined with festive stalls, while Fluweelengrot also gives visitors a chance to see historic wall drawings.

Each cave requires a separate ticket with a reserved entry time. Christmas celebrations in town continue until January 3, 2027, but the underground markets close on December 30.

Amsterdam: Three Different Christmas Experiences

In Amsterdam, you can choose between a traditional Christmas market, a market featuring independent designers, or a large winter amusement park.

Christmas Village Museumplein

• Dates: December 3–27, 2026
• Location: Museumplein
• Admission: Free.

Wooden stalls selling gifts, decorations, and festive treats fill Museumplein, with an ice rink nearby. Visit in the evening when the Christmas lights come on.

Amsterdam Winter Paradise

• Dates: December 17, 2026 – January 2, 2027
• Location: RAI Amsterdam
• Admission: Paid entry.

This large winter attraction features ice rinks, rides, concerts, and activities for children. It’s a good choice for families looking to spend several hours enjoying the festive atmosphere. Closed on December 31.

Funky Xmas Market

• Date: December 20, 2026
• Location: Westergas
• Admission: Free.

A one-day market featuring designer jewelry, clothing, ceramics, and handmade gifts. It’s a great place to find something different from the usual Christmas market souvenirs.

Maastricht: Christmas on Vrijthof Square

• Dates: November 27 – December 27, 2026
• Location: Vrijthof
• Admission: Free, with rides charged separately.

Magisch Maastricht combines Christmas shopping with winter entertainment. The city’s main square fills with a Ferris wheel, an ice rink, small fairground rides, and stalls serving festive food. From the Ferris wheel, you can enjoy views across the historic city center.

If you’re shopping for gifts, arrive before 10 PM, when the market stalls close.

Valkenburg is only about 15 minutes from Maastricht by train, making it easy to visit both towns on the same trip.

Haarlem: A Huge Three-Day Christmas Market

• Dates: December 11–13, 2026
• Location: Grote Markt and streets throughout the historic center
• Admission: Free.

Haarlem’s Christmas market spreads across much of the old town, with stalls filling the main square and nearby streets, including Schagchelstraat and Kleine Houtstraat. Expect Christmas shopping, live street music, and themed decorations. On Schagchelstraat, the street is transformed to recreate the atmosphere of the 19th century.

Haarlem is just 15–20 minutes from Amsterdam by train. For smaller crowds, visit on Friday.

The Hague: Royal Christmas Fair

• Dates: December 3–23, 2026
• Opening hours: 12 PM–9 PM
• Location: Lange Voorhout
• Admission: Free.

The Royal Christmas Fair takes place along a beautiful tree-lined avenue in the historic city center. More than 100 stalls sell gifts and traditional winter treats, while musicians and Christmas choirs provide live entertainment. It’s a lovely spot for a relaxed evening stroll, which you can extend to Noordeinde Palace and the surrounding historic streets.

Since 2015, our website has specialized in individual planning of unique routes, taking into account personal preferences and desires.

Each of you will receive a unique PDF file from us, which contains everything you need: travel routes, car rentals, hotels, the best tourist attractions, attractions for kids and everything you need for a perfect vacation.

During the trip, we are available for you by phone via WhatsApp.

Our personal service provides information from A to Z, taking into account many small details that can become a decisive factor on the way from a wasted trip to an unforgettable vacation.

Our service will make your trip comfortable, save a lot of time on planning and preparation, and most importantly – will allow you to become freer and fully enjoy the pleasure of the trip.

More Info

Deventer: The Charles Dickens Festival

• Dates: December 12–13, 2026
• Location: The historic Bergkwartier district
• Admission: €7.50, free for children under 8.

Dickens Festijn is one of the most unusual Christmas events in the Netherlands. More than 950 participants dress in period costumes and bring characters from Dickens’ novels to life. Scrooge, Oliver Twist, street musicians, merchants, and other characters from Victorian England wander through the old quarter, with performances taking place right among the historic buildings.

In 2026, tickets are sold for specific entry times. The festival lasts just two days, so it’s best to book in advance.

Leiden: A Christmas Market by the Canals

• Dates: December 11–13 and 17–20, 2026
• Location: Hooglandse Kerkgracht and surrounding streets

Nostalgische Leidse Kerstmarkt takes place among historic buildings and canals. Stalls sell locally made crafts, decorations, gifts, and festive sweets.

A floating ice rink operates on the Nieuwe Rijn canal from December 5, 2026, to January 3, 2027.

Leiden is an easy stop between Amsterdam and The Hague. Its compact historic center can be explored without staying overnight.

Dordrecht: Decembermarkt

• Dates: December 10–13, 2026
• Location: Grotekerksbuurt, Groenmarkt, and the area around Grote Kerk

This smaller, more intimate market is a nice alternative to the larger Christmas fairs. The stalls are set among historic houses near the Grote Kerk church. You’ll find Christmas gifts, handmade crafts, and food stalls, while festive lights brighten the streets in the evening.

Decembermarkt is part of Dordtse Decemberdagen, a wider Christmas program that also includes light installations and other winter events.

Utrecht: Winter Station

• Dates: December 19, 2026 – January 3, 2027
• Location: Spoorwegmuseum, Maliebaanstation 16
• Admission: Museum ticket required; reserving an entry time costs an additional €2.50.

The Christmas program at the Dutch Railway Museum is quite different from a traditional street market. An ice rink is set up among historic locomotives, the old railway station is decorated for the holidays, and there are activities for families. Ice skates are provided free of charge.

You need to reserve your visit in advance, even if you have a Museumkaart. Winter Station is a particularly good choice for families with children, especially on cold or rainy days.

Rotterdam: An Eco-Friendly Christmas Market

• Dates: December 11–13, 2026
• Location: Trompenburg Gardens & Arboretum

Groene Kerstmarkt takes place in Rotterdam’s Trompenburg botanical garden. The focus is on local products, natural materials, and sustainable gifts. Stalls sell plants, handmade ceramics, crafts, and home decorations, all set along the garden paths.

Gouda: A City Lit Up for Christmas

• Date: December 11, 2026
• Location: Historic city center, around Markt and Waag

Gouda bij Kaarslicht is a celebration of light rather than a traditional Christmas market. Concerts and choir performances take place during the day, followed by a festive lighting ceremony in the evening.

In 2026, the main ceremony will take place near the Waag building because the historic town hall is undergoing restoration.

Gouda is a great choice if you want to experience a large Christmas celebration in a traditional Dutch town.

What we propose

Emma Heidi

Customer Experience Manager

Take all the stress out of planning your trip!

With our experts, you can create the perfect itinerary for you – complete, comfortable, and tailored to all your dreams, wishes, and needs.

We take care of every little detail, so you can simply focus on enjoying your journey.

We’ve been designing personalized itineraries since 2015, and over the years we’ve created thousands of custom itineraries for happy clients.

Discover our clients’ experiences here

 Save time, avoid confusion – we do the work for you. Our service saves you weeks of searching, reading, comparing, and complicated planning. Instead of wasting endless hours – you receive a ready-to-use, accurate and clear itinerary.

 A tailor-made itinerary – built just for you. Your itinerary is personally designed based on our experts’ real field experience and genuine feedback from hundreds of travelers – including hidden discoveries and insider tips that don’t appear in any travel guide.

 Smart accommodation selection – often saves you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. We help you choose verified and recommended places to stay, checking availability for your exact travel dates. Sometimes we suggest hotels not “in the center,” but in safe, convenient, and highly strategic locations – which can significantly reduce travel costs and save you even thousands of dollars.

 We’re by your side even during the trip. We stay with you throughout your vacation – providing professional help whenever needed. If the weather changes, there’s a strike, a local event, heavy crowds, or any unexpected situation – we are here to update, guide, and adjust your itinerary in real time.

 Easy-to-use itinerary – with direct navigation links. Your itinerary includes direct Waze / Google Maps links – no need to search for parking addresses, no stress, no mistakes. Just tap – and go.

Service cost: from only $420. (Special price for short itineraries up to 5 days). Clients tell us the itinerary saves them costly mistakes, fines, wrong choices – plus exclusive discounts on car rentals, better-priced accommodations, and money-saving local tips.

Want to know if it’s really worth it?

Take a look at the experiences of travelers who built their personal itinerary with us.

Click here and let’s start building the itinerary that will save you time, money, and stress – and turn your vacation into perfection.

Of course, your first inquiry is completely free – with no commitment whatsoever.

Contact us via email

Chat with us on WhatsApp
Callback from the expert

How it works

• You are welcome
to contact us
• We discuss
your trip
• You fill out a special form
• We create
your itinerary
• You get it with all useful tips
• We are in touch with
you all the time