Christmas markets in The Netherlands
The Netherlands does Christmas its own way: few city-centre markets, but parks that transform for the winter, Efteling first among them, and the caves of Valkenburg. Three hours from Paris by train.
Markets in the region (12)
Opens in 55 days
Amsterdam Christmas Market
Amsterdam
From 3 to 27 December 2026
Worth the weekend
Dates to be confirmed
Zwolle Christmas Market
Zwolle
Local favourite
Opens in 65 days
Arnhem Christmas Market
Arnhem
From 13 to 13 December 2026
Local favourite
Opens in 62 days
Dordrecht Christmas Market
Dordrecht
From 10 to 13 December 2026
Day out
Opens in 63 days
Elburg Christmas Market
Elburg
From 11 to 12 December 2026
Day out
Dates to be confirmed
Groningen Christmas Market
Groningen
Day out
Opens in 63 days
Haarlem Christmas Market
Haarlem
From 11 to 13 December 2026
Day out
Opens in 55 days
The Hague Christmas Market
The Hague
From 3 to 23 December 2026
Worth the weekend
Opens in 63 days
Leiden Christmas Market
Leiden
From 11 to 20 December 2026
Day out
Opens in 49 days
Maastricht Christmas Market
Maastricht
From 27 November to 27 December 2026
Worth the weekend
Opens in 35 days
Valkenburg Christmas Market
Valkenburg
From 13 November to 30 December 2026
Worth the weekend
Opens in 64 days
Vught Christmas Market
Vught
From 12 to 20 December 2026
Day out
Christmas parks and activities (5)
Paid admission, shows and lights: Christmas outings that aren't markets. The full selection
Opens in 60 days
Event
Christmas in Delft: the Festival of Lights
Delft
From 8 to 8 December 2026
Local favourite · Event
Opens in 64 days
Event
Christmas in Deventer: the Dickens Festival
Deventer
From 12 to 13 December 2026
Worth the weekend · Event
Opens in 63 days
Event
Christmas in Gouda: Gouda by Candlelight
Gouda
From 11 to 11 December 2026
Day out · Event
Opens in 38 days
Park
Efteling at Christmas: Winter Efteling
Kaatsheuvel
From 16 November to 31 January 2027
Worth the trip · Park
Opens in 50 days
Park
Toverland at Christmas: Winter Feelings
Sevenum
From 28 November to 17 January 2027
Day out · Park
Regional specialities
Oliebollen (New Year doughnuts), pepernoten and kruidnoten, speculaas, poffertjes, hot chocolate, Glühwein and hot jenever.
Christmas traditions
Sinterklaas arrives by boat in mid-November and brings the presents on the evening of 5 December (pakjesavond); Christmas itself is quieter, with open-air ice rinks and parks lit up until January.
Where to stay in The Netherlands
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