Winter activities in the Netherlands: the most fun outings for young and old
Winter is just around the corner: the days are getting shorter, the air is crisper, and the first lights are appearing on the streets. Time for hot chocolate, thick scarves, and cozy moments together. Looking for fun winter activities, exciting outings in December, or just want to know what to do during the Christmas holidays? From enchanting light shows to ice skating, creative indoor activities, and magical festivals, we've compiled a list of the best winter outings.
Winter atmosphere at the most beautiful Christmas markets in the Netherlands
December is the perfect time to get out and experience the cozy atmosphere of the Christmas markets in the Netherlands. Cities and villages transform into winter paradises. Stroll past stalls with mulled wine, artisanal gifts, and Christmas decorations.
Christmas town Valkenburg
In the underground Velvet Cave and Municipal Cave, you'll find charming market stalls with decorations, handmade gifts, and Limburg delicacies. The aroma of waffles and mulled wine fills the air, while the illuminated marl walls create a cozy, fairytale atmosphere.
Magic above ground
Above ground, Valkenburg is also bustling with activity. During the Valkenburg Christmas Parade, floats, dancers, and light figures parade through the streets, and you can participate in the Route d'Amuse: a culinary walk past charming restaurants.
Date: November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Location: Valkenburg
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Magical Maastricht
During Magical Maastricht, the Vrijthof square transforms into a charming winter square full of lights, music, and festive cheer. With skaters on the ice, chalets brimming with delicacies, and the aroma of mulled wine in the air, the city exudes warmth and ambiance.
Ice skating, drinks and Burgundian enjoyment
Glide across the ice rink, sample local delicacies, and finish off with a fine glass of wine or a Limburg stew in one of the many cafés. What makes Magical Maastricht so special is the enormous Ferris wheel that towers over the Vrijthof square. From the gondolas, you have a spectacular view of the twinkling lights of the city center. The view is especially breathtaking at night.
Date: November 28 – December 29, 2025
Location: Vrijthof Maastricht
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Haarlem Christmas Market
The Haarlem Christmas market is one of the largest and most atmospheric in the Netherlands. The historic city center provides the setting for a classic winter celebration. What sets Haarlem apart from other Christmas markets is the music: choirs, street musicians, and small orchestras fill the city with Christmas sounds.
Hundreds of stalls line the Grote Markt and the side streets, selling artisanal products, gifts, and treats. The aroma of cinnamon, roasted nuts, and hot chocolate completes the experience.
Shopping and enjoying
Besides the Christmas market, Haarlem is also a fantastic shopping city. In the charming Golden Streets, you'll find boutiques, chocolate shops, and concept stores. Perfect for an afternoon of Christmas shopping.
Date: December 12 – 14, 2025
Location: Haarlem
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More Christmas markets in the Netherlands
Can't get enough of all those Christmas markets, or would you rather visit one near you? Click here to discover the most magical Christmas markets in the Netherlands and get inspired.
Magical light shows and winter events
In winter, the days get shorter, but when the sun sets early, the Netherlands becomes magically beautiful. In the cities, the days stay light long into the winter months: spectacular light artworks and colorful installations illuminate the streets of various cities.
Amsterdam Light Festival
The Amsterdam Light Festival is undoubtedly one of the most famous and largest light festivals in the Netherlands, attracting visitors from all over the world every year. Along the canals, you'll discover impressive light artworks by international artists.
The 14th edition focuses on the theme " Legacy ." What will we leave behind for future generations? Each installation tells a story about memories, heritage, and the traces we leave behind as human beings.
Walk or sail between the light
You can experience the festival via a 7.5-kilometer walking route past bridges and squares, or opt for a boat tour through the illuminated canals. From the water, the artworks truly come to life.
Date: November 27, 2025 – January 18, 2026
Location: Amsterdam
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GLOW Eindhoven
In Eindhoven, the city of technology and innovation, everything revolves around light. During the annual GLOW Festival, artists from the Netherlands and abroad illuminate the city with interactive projects and light installations that spectacularly illuminate the streets, squares, and buildings of Eindhoven.
The 2025 theme, " The Light ," focuses on light art as a unifying force. A symbol of encounter, inspiration, and community.
Route through light art in the city
The light artworks can be admired along a five-kilometer walking route through the city center. Favorites like the Windows on St. Catherine's Church and the renovated Tower of Light return in the anniversary edition, making Eindhoven shine.
Date: November 8 – 15, 2025
Location: Eindhoven
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Ice skating on the most beautiful winter squares
Ice skating is a Dutch winter tradition. Even though the natural ice doesn't appear every year, there are fortunately plenty of places where you can enjoy this wonderful winter activity.
Schaatsbaan Rotterdam
Skating under the rainbow this winter? Yes, it's possible! The iconic ice rink in Rotterdam is a unique ice rink with a 400-meter tunnel and rainbow lights. The rink at Toepad is suitable for both beginners and experienced skaters. Don't have your own skates? You can rent them at Schaatsbaan Rotterdam.
More than just skating
Next to the main rink, there's a separate Fun Rink for families and beginners. Ideal for a fun day out with kids. Those who prefer to try something new can participate in a curling competition or take a skating clinic. You can also enjoy fun events like the Santa Skate , where you can skate on the ice with as many Santas as possible while enjoying the best Christmas tunes.
Afterward, warm up in the winter café with a mug of hot chocolate or a Unox sandwich. A wonderful winter outing for adults and one of the most fun indoor activities in the Randstad.
Date: November 22, 2025 – February 21, 2026
Location: Ice Rink Rotterdam
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Winter Village Laren
In the heart of Laren lies one of the most charming winter squares in the Netherlands: Winter Village Laren. This charming village is known for its ice skating rink in the middle of the square. Surrounded by atmospheric lighting, you can spin and pirouette on the ice.
Experience the atmosphere
Besides the ice, you can enjoy a small Christmas market filled with wooden chaltes, twinkling lights, and fragrant winter treats. You can even join a winter barbecue at one of the surrounding restaurants!
During the day, Laren is all about families: children learn to skate, parents enjoy hot chocolate or mulled wine, and music fills the air. In the evening, the atmosphere changes. The ice rink is illuminated, and fire baskets and Christmas trees transform the square into a romantic backdrop.
The village character, skating fun and warm hospitality make Winter Village Laren the perfect place for a fun family outing.
Date: November 22, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Location: De Brink, Laren
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Wintergoud Groningen
In the far north of the Netherlands lies Wintergoud Groningen: a festive winter event that transforms the Grote Markt into a glittering square full of lights, music, and ice-skating fun. The combination of historic buildings and winter cheer makes this one of the most enjoyable winter activities in the Netherlands north of the rivers.
Atmospheric and lively
The ice rink is located next to the town hall and is surrounded by charming stalls, music performances, and winter bars. During the day, it's a paradise for families with children, while in the evenings the square transforms into a vibrant place with an atmosphere reminiscent of a winter festival.
More winter activities
After a few laps on the ice, warm up with a delicious mulled wine at one of the stalls. Besides skating, you can also participate in creative workshops, listen to local artists, or browse the small Christmas market.
Date: November 28, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Location: Grote Markt, Groningen
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Winter festivals and spectacular shows
Winter in the Netherlands is bursting with unique events: from spectacular ice shows to vibrant indoor winter wonderlands. Do you love music, theater, or creativity? Then these three winter festivals will bring the dark months to life.
Holiday on Ice
The name says it all: Holiday on Ice is the world-class ice skating show! With impressive choreography, lighting, and costumes, professional skaters bring a story to life. The latest show, INFINITO, plays with themes such as time, infinity, and connection. This combination of emotions is amplified by spectacular light and sound effects.
Date: December 4, 2025 – January 11, 2026
Location: Various locations in the Netherlands
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Dutch Ice Sculpture Festival
This winter in Biddinghuizen, you'll literally step into another world at the Dutch Ice Sculpture Festival. Enter a magical world filled with ice and snow sculptures up to 6 meters tall!
In a hall cooled to -10 degrees Celsius, artists from the Netherlands and abroad create gigantic sculptures of ice and snow. From mythical creatures to famous movie characters: the detail and scale are impressive. Did you know that the artists work with a staggering 275,000 kilos of ice and 275,000 kilos of snow?
After your visit, you can warm up with a hot chocolate or a cup of pea soup in the winter café.
Date: December 13, 2025 – March 8, 2026
Location: Flevo Nice, Biddinghuizen
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Het Amsterdamse Winterparadijs
In December, RAI Amsterdam transforms into a winter wonderland packed with fun for the Amsterdam Winter Paradise. Here you'll find everything you'd expect from a winter festival: a massive ice rink, a Christmas market, cozy après-ski huts, and even an indoor ski slope!
During the day it is a paradise for families and children, while the evenings are filled with live music, DJs and après-ski fun.
Atmospheric food, music and snow fun
In the Christmas village you can stroll around the wooden chalets where you can taste winter snacks and buy original gifts.
The scent of cinnamon, the cheerful music, and the snowy decorations make the Amsterdam Winter Paradise the ultimate winter experience with meters of ice and real snow.
Date: December 17, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Location: RAI Amsterdam
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Experience the magic of Winter Efteling
Enter a world of wonder and winter warmth with a visit to Winter Efteling! When temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, the theme park transforms into a magical winter wonderland full of lights, snow, and enchantment.
An amusement park full of light and snow
At Winter Efteling, you'll experience the park in a way you might not have experienced before. Familiar attractions and fairytales have been given a wintery feel.
The Dream Flight feels even more magical with twinkling stars above the fairy garden, while the mist and lighting around the Baron 1898 create a mysterious atmosphere.
The Fairytale Forest is extra special at this time of year. Little lights shine everywhere, soft music plays, and a dusting of snow completes the picture. Even the roller coasters seem a little more thrilling in winter. Feel the cold wind in your hair and then warm up by a crackling fire.
Ice fun
Winter Efteling offers typical winter activities. For example, skate on the large indoor ice rink in the Ice Palace or glide down the cross-country ski track for a sporty moment in the cold.
Shows and fairy tales for the whole family
For those looking for a little extra magic, there are impressive shows. The spectacular Raveleijn park show tells a thrilling story of knights, dragons, and magic, while fairytale figures create a festive atmosphere throughout the park.
Aquanura
In the evening, admire the impressive Aquanura water show: a show filled with water, light, fire, and music. The water dances to familiar Efteling melodies, and the fountains and flames paint the winter sky.
Winter activities
In between, children can enjoy winter-themed crafts, throw snowballs on the Winter Square, or roast marshmallows over the fire. The park is beautifully decorated with thousands of lights, wintery garlands, and snow-covered houses.
Those who prefer to stay warm can find a spot by one of the many fire pits. And of course, you can also enjoy a Unox sandwich: Efteling's winter classic.
Indoor winter activities: warm, creative and cozy
Not everyone is eager to deal with the cold and wind, and we understand that. Winter is the perfect season to make things extra cozy indoors. Fancy doing something creative with the kids, unwinding in the spa, or perhaps enjoying an afternoon out with friends? There's plenty to do indoors.
Creative afternoons with children
Get out with the kids and gather materials in nature. Think pine cones, twigs, leaves, or berries. At home, create a cozy craft table with some paint, glue, and glitter. Make paper snowflakes, paint winter landscapes, or decorate candle holders together.
Creative relaxation for adults
Prefer to get creative yourself? Consider a painting workshop or ceramics class. For adults, creativity is also a wonderful way to unwind in the winter.
Those eager to learn something new can also delve into the kitchen. Many cities organize cooking workshops, often with a winter theme: stews, desserts, or festive snacks. Cooking and tasting together is not only delicious but also a unique way to spend a rainy day.
Wellness and saunas
When it's windy and rainy outside, a day at the spa sounds like music to the ears. A day at the spa in winter is not only relaxing but also a good boost for your immune system. There are countless saunas, spas, and thermal baths in the Netherlands where you can completely unwind.
Warm baths, steam rooms, and aroma saunas will instantly put you in winter mode. Or choose a massage, hot stone treatment, or floating session to melt away your winter stress!
Need more inspiration?
For those looking for more fun indoor activities this winter or during rainy days, our blog with the best indoor activities and outings in the Netherlands is full of ideas.
Click here to discover more activities.
