Haarlem Christmas Market

On the second weekend of December, the historic centre of Haarlem turns into one vast open-air market: the Haarlem Christmas market, the Kerstmarkt Haarlem, brings together nearly 350 stalls across some fifteen connected streets and squares, from the Grote Markt to the shopping streets around it, from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 December 2026. Entry is free, the programme mixes choirs in historic venues, entertainment for children and photos with Father Christmas, and the station is a ten-minute walk away. As Amsterdam’s neighbour, the city lends itself to a day trip from the capital or to a long weekend.

Nearly 350 stalls across some fifteen streets and squares in the historic centre

The heart of the market beats on the Grote Markt, Haarlem’s main square, but the stalls run well beyond it. Visit Haarlem lists the Kruisstraat, the Nieuwe Groenmarkt, the Zijlstraat, the Riviervismarkt, the Klokhuisplein, the Oude Groenmarkt, the Kleine Houtstraat, the Anegang, the Schagchelstraat, the Koningstraat, the Botermarkt, the Krocht, the Gierstraat and the Grote Houtstraat. The route forms a loop through the streets of the centre, with nearly 350 stalls spread across some fifteen streets and squares. This format, a network of streets rather than an enclosed village, turns the visit into a walk through the old town.

Choirs, Father Christmas and entertainment: the Haarlem Christmas market programme

Visit Haarlem announces a programme of indoor and outdoor entertainment. Choirs and concerts take place in the city’s historic venues, a family attraction for children occupies the Grote Markt, and Father Christmas poses for photos. The details of the 2026 edition (concert venues, entertainment times) go through the market app, which the tourist office recommends for following the programme day by day. What the stalls sell, crafts or treats, is not detailed on the official page.

Dates, opening hours and accessibility

The 2026 edition takes place on Friday 11, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December. The stalls open at 10.30am on all three days; they close at 8pm on Friday and Saturday, at 7pm on Sunday. Entry is free. The market is wheelchair accessible, with accessible toilets on the Grote Markt, the Nieuwe Groenmarkt and in the Grote Houtstraat.

• Dates: Friday 11, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December 2026.
• Opening hours: 10.30am to 8pm on Friday and Saturday, 10.30am to 7pm on Sunday.
• Free entry; nearly 350 stalls across some fifteen streets and squares.
• Wheelchair accessible, accessible toilets on three sites.
• Haarlem station a ten-minute walk from the market.

Getting to Haarlem from France and parking

By train, the Eurostar (formerly Thalys) links Paris-Nord to Amsterdam Centraal in 3h20 via Brussels-Midi, Rotterdam and Schiphol, with around ten direct departures a day. From Amsterdam Centraal, an NS train reaches Haarlem; the station is a ten-minute walk from the market. By car, allow 518 km and about 6 hours from Paris, 303 km and a little under 4 hours from Lille, without traffic.

Visit Haarlem warns that the city-centre car parks fill up quickly during the market and recommends the Expo Haarlemmermeer car park (€13 a day) or the shuttles. The bus is free for children, and supervised bike parks are open for those arriving on two wheels, the one on the Jacobijnestraat with extended hours during the market.

Haarlem, Amsterdam and the neighbouring markets

Haarlem is next door to Amsterdam, which makes it a natural outing from the capital: the Amsterdam Christmas market and Haarlem’s can be visited on the same weekend. The market has a history: a photo from the Noord-Hollands Archief, the North Holland archives, already shows the Kerstmarkt in December 1995, and its caption notes that the tree had been given by Osnabrück, the twin town, for Haarlem’s 750th anniversary. Further south, the Royal Christmas Fair at The Hague Christmas market and, on the way home, the Antwerp Christmas market extend the trip.