The 12 most beautiful Christmas markets in the Netherlands
During the winter months, cozy Christmas markets pop up everywhere, where lights twinkle, music plays, and the aroma of mulled wine and fresh waffles fills the air. From historic cities to charming villages: throughout the Netherlands, there are unique places where you can experience the Christmas spirit at its finest! Discover the most beautiful Christmas markets in the Netherlands in 2025 here.
Christmas town Valkenburg
Welcome to the Christmas city of Valkenburg, the Christmas market that has been named the " Most Beautiful Christmas Market in the Netherlands ." For those who want to experience the most beautiful Christmas market in the Netherlands, Valkenburg is the perfect destination. During the winter months, Valkenburg transforms into a magical setting full of lights, music, and winter scents. Did you know it's even called the Christmas capital of the Netherlands? While you enjoy the sparkling Christmas parade above ground with dancers, floats, and cheerful Christmas sounds, a world of wonder awaits below ground.
An underground Christmas
In the mysterious Velvet Cave and Municipal Cave, you'll wander past countless illuminated stalls, artisanal products, and intricately detailed miniature villages. The aroma of mulled wine, warm waffles, and pine wood fills the air, while candlelight makes the marl walls glisten.
Above ground, Valkenburg is buzzing with Christmas spirit. Expect cozy terraces, light trails, and Christmas displays that complete the picture. Whether you're coming for the unique underground Christmas market, the atmospheric parade, or just dreaming away: Valkenburg's underground Christmas market is the ideal place for a romantic Christmas getaway in Limburg.
Date: November 14, 2025 to January 4, 2026
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Magical Maastricht
In December, Maastricht transforms into a true winter wonderland. During Magical Maastricht, the famous Vrijthof square is transformed. The heart of the city sparkles under thousands of lights, with an impressive, large Christmas tree and an ice rink in the middle of the square, surrounded by charming chalets that together form the Maastricht Christmas market.
Cozy chalets, hot drinks and impressive views
As you stroll past the wooden stalls, you'll hear Christmas music, savor warm poffertjes, and smell the sweet aroma of cinnamon and mulled wine. At every stall, you'll discover something special: handmade gifts, winter accessories, or local delicacies. Everything here exudes coziness and warmth, even when it's freezing outside!
Climb aboard the Ferris wheel at Vrijthof Square and be amazed by breathtaking views over the city's illuminated rooftops. Once you're back on the ground, a cozy winter chalet awaits you to warm up.
Date: November 28 to December 29, 2025
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The Winter Fair Gouda
In December, Gouda is transformed into a wonderland ablaze with lights, music, and wintry scents. The historic city center is the setting for one of South Holland's most atmospheric Christmas markets: Winterfair Gouda. Along the canals and in the squares, countless stalls offer a wealth of handmade Christmas decorations, local delicacies, and artisanal gifts.
Gouda by Candlelight
What makes the Gouda Christmas market so special? Its authentic charm. The absolute highlight of the festive month is Gouda by Candlelight. Nowhere in the Netherlands is the Christmas atmosphere so romantic. As soon as evening falls, the streetlights go out, and the windows of the town hall, the churches, and the houses surrounding the market square are illuminated by more than a thousand candles.
Date: December 11 to 14, 2025
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Royal Christmas Fair The Hague
Anyone who appreciates a touch of elegance during the holidays will feel right at home at the Royal Christmas Fair in The Hague. Every year, one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the Netherlands takes place on the atmospheric Lange Voorhout, surrounded by tall lime trees and stately buildings.
This year the market is celebrating its tenth edition in the historic centre of The Hague.
An elegant Christmas
Among the more than one hundred wooden chalets, you'll find everything you need for a stylish Christmas: handmade jewelry, unique gifts, artisanal treats, and delicacies almost too beautiful to eat. The Hague's Christmas spirit comes alive with the elegantly decorated stalls and the historic backdrop of the Binnenhof (Inner Court).
From warm mulled wine to angelic singing
After a stroll through the market, relax at one of the charming eateries or enjoy live music, Christmas choirs, or street theater that completes the winter atmosphere. And who knows, with a little luck, you might even encounter the one and only Santa Claus for a photo.
Snacks and drinks
The heart of the market is the Royal Christmas House: the perfect place for a festive drink or a cozy end-of-year lunch with family, friends, or colleagues. For those who enjoy a good drink, there's Bar München, where the atmosphere continues into the wee hours. Please note: reservations are recommended for both locations.
Date: December 4-23, 2025
Location: The Hague
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Nostalgic Christmas Market Leiden: Winter Wonder Weken
Leiden transforms into a magnificent winter wonderland in December during the Winter Wonder Weeks. The historic city center, with its charming canals and centuries-old buildings, is the setting for one of the most unique Christmas markets in the Netherlands: the floating Christmas market in Leiden.
Along the Nieuwe Rijn, wooden chalets float on pontoons, each filled with treats, gifts, and festive Christmas items. Under the trees of the Hooglandse Kerkgracht, the Christmas spirit truly comes alive.
The Winter Wonder Weeks Leiden bring together the best of winter: light, music, coziness and a good dose of charm.
Sliding over the ice
Anyone looking for a bit of action can lace up their skates at the floating ice rink in the heart of the city. Skate the stars off the ice, and as you glide across the ice, you'll enjoy views of Leiden's illuminated facades and monumental buildings.
Rotary Santa Run
For those who prefer to stretch their legs instead of hitting the ice, there's the iconic Rotary Santa Run. Participants, dressed as Santas, fill the streets with red, white, and smiling faces. Together, they cover a four-kilometer course through the city, all for a good cause.
Date: December 13 & 14 and 17 to 21, 2025
Location: Leiden
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Haarlem Christmas Market
Nostalgia in the heart of the city! That's what you can expect at the Haarlem Christmas Market. The historic city center is the setting for one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the Netherlands. Every year, the market attracts thousands of visitors who immerse themselves in the pure Christmas spirit, and for good reason.
Tradition and conviviality
Wooden chalets with treats, Christmas gifts, and artisanal goods are scattered throughout the city center at no fewer than twelve locations. The aroma of freshly baked stroopwafels and warm mulled wine is a must. The Grote Markt (main market square) forms the radiant heart of the square, with dozens of festively decorated stalls against the impressive backdrop of the medieval St. Bavo Church.
Back to the 19th century
But the magic doesn't stop there. In Schagchelstraat, you literally step back in time: during the Christmas market, this alley is transformed into Emma's atmospheric Little Street . Here, actors in 19th-century costumes fill the streets, along with old-fashioned shop windows and the aroma of hot chocolate. You'll truly feel like you're in a 19th-century Christmas celebration, medieval-style.
Date: December 12 to 14, 2025
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Christmas Village Amsterdam (Museumplein)
At the iconic Museumplein, opposite the Rijksmuseum, you will find the largest and most traditional Christmas market in the capital.
What makes this Christmas market so popular is the combination of skating at the Museumplein ice rink, shopping, and enjoying winter treats. The outdoor ice rink, known as Ice*Amsterdam, is the winter heart of the city.
A magical winter landscape
Glide across the ice with a view of the impressive museum building, and then warm up with mulled wine, hot waffles or poffertjes.
The chalets surrounding the track offer all sorts of original gifts, Christmas items, and cozy stops for families or groups of friends. It's one of the most visited Christmas markets in Amsterdam.
Date: December 4-28, 2025
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Funky Xmas Market
For those looking for a twist on the traditional Christmas market, the Funky Xmas Market at the Westergasfabriek is the place to be. In this atmospheric former industrial estate, you won't find your typical Christmas stalls, but instead, you'll find design, art, fashion, and street food.
Local artisans showcase handmade accessories, jewelry, and sustainable gifts, while live music completes the Christmas spirit. Food trucks serve everything from marshmallow-topped hot chocolate to vegan stroopwafels. The market exudes creativity and is the perfect Christmas outing in Amsterdam.
Date: December 21, 2025
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The Pure Winter Market
The Pure Winter Market is for those who love delicious food, artisanal products, and a relaxed setting during the holidays. At this edition of the Pure Winter Market Amsterdam, you'll find approximately 70% food stands, ranging from various cheeses to international street food.
Stroll through the greenery of Park Frankendael, passing stalls overflowing with culinary delights and sustainable gifts. A great alternative to the crowds during the Amsterdam holidays.
Date: December 21, 2025
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Swedish Christmas Market Groningen
In the north of the Netherlands, winter begins in Scandinavian style. At the Swedish Christmas Market in Groningen, Swedish traditions and Groningen coziness merge into a magical December experience. The Swedish Christmas Market is one of the most unique Christmas markets in the Netherlands.
A unique combination
The old sugar factory forms the backdrop for this unique market. You can't ignore the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls and warm glögg (Swedish mulled wine)!
Among the wooden stalls, you'll find handmade Christmas decorations, woolen scarves, ornaments, and original gifts that seem straight out of a Scandinavian Christmas film. Here, it's all about togetherness, warmth, and simplicity: just the way they mean it in Sweden.
Swedish traditions and workshops
Those who want to get their hands dirty can participate in creative Christmas workshops. During Lucia's Light Wreath Making class, you'll learn how to weave a traditional wreath, decorated with candles or pine branches.
This workshop is a tribute to the Swedish Lucia festival, which welcomes light and the Christmas season in Scandinavia.
The Swedish Christmas Market in Groningen is much more than just a market. It's an ideal Christmas outing in the Northern Netherlands for those who enjoy something a little different (and a Christmas with character).
Date: December 13 and 14, 2025
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Dickens Festijn Deventer
Every December, Deventer takes a journey back in time during the world-famous Dickens Festival. For two days, the historic city center transforms into a living, breathing 19th-century stage. More than 900 extras bring Charles Dickens' characters to life, from Scrooge to Oliver Twist, and from street musicians to posh ladies with lace parasols.
A unique Christmas celebration
The Christmas atmosphere in Deventer is special: the narrow streets of the Bergkwartier are filled with the aroma of roasted chestnuts, the sounds of choirs, and the murmur of thousands of visitors.
Besides the costumes and street theater, you'll also find small Christmas markets scattered throughout the city with crafts, treats, and winter drinks. The perfect combination of history and coziness. It's no wonder this event is considered one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the Netherlands.
Date: December 13 and 14, 2025
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Celebrate Christmas with Bastion Hotels
Planning to visit a Christmas market during or around the holidays? Make it an unforgettable Christmas and celebrate with Bastion Hotels! After strolling past all those Christmas stalls, you'll surely be ready for some warmth and tranquility.
Enjoy up to 20% off your stay at a Bastion Hotel of your choice with our Christmas deal. The longer you stay, the more you save.
- 1, 2 or 3 nights for 1 or 2 persons
- Breakfast can be booked optionally
- Valid for stays between December 19 and December 30, 2025
- Free cancellation until 12:00 on the day before arrival
Want to know more about the Christmas deal? Click here.
