I’ve visited the Amsterdam Christmas Market at Museumplein when snow was falling, and the view of skaters gliding in front of the Rijksmuseum is genuinely one of the prettiest winter scenes I’ve come across. The market itself is cosy rather than sprawling, with around 45 chalets selling poffertjes and Dutch crafts, but Amsterdam’s real strength is the sheer number of seasonal events scattered across the city.
Amsterdam Christmas Market 2026
Dates
Status: Confirmed
Museumplein Christmas Village: 3rd to 27th December 2026
Last checked: July 2026
Update: Dates were announced in March. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of changes.
Source: Verified by Ultimate Christmas Markets via Ice Village.
Note: The following details are for the Museumplein event. Scroll down for more information on the other markets.
Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Location: Museumplein.
Opening times: 11am to 9pm.
Christmas Day: 11am to 7pm.
Boxing Day: 11am to 7pm.
Travel and Accommodation
Recommended tour: This walking tour is ideal for first-time visitors to Amsterdam.
Public transport: Tram 2, 3 and 5. Tram stop: Museumplein. Metro line 52. Stop: Vijzelgracht.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion. Q-park Museumplein is under the square and is wheelchair accessible.
Where to stay: Hotel V Nesplein is in the city centre.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Free.
Santa: No.
Ice skating: Rembrandtplein.
Reason to visit: Most traditional atmosphere due to its central, historic location. Beautiful setting surrounded by world-class museums.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Plenty of options.
Vegan: Plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Some options. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Food specialities: Oliebollen, proffertjes, stroopwafels, frites and bitterballen.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.
Convenient Hotels
Amsterdam is a compact, walkable city composed of distinct districts, each ringed by several canals. Cycling is a popular, safe, and accessible mode of transportation for many people, and the city offers excellent, affordable public transport options.
This means it’s easy to get around, regardless of where you stay. Hotel V Nesplein is a boutique hotel close to Dam Square and the Royal Palace. It’s halfway between Amsterdam Central Station and the Museum Quarter. It’s a great choice.
Alternatively, my guide to hotels in Amsterdam lists several other options that cover all budgets.
Recommended Tours
On a city tour, you’ll visit or pass by some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and attractions, including Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, and the flower market, Bloemenmarkt. This city tour is very popular as it allows you to explore many of the city’s highlights.
Another enjoyable tour is this food tour in the Jordaan district. I’ve taken several Eating Europe tours before, and they’re excellent!
Museumplein Location
Captured a moment that embodies the holiday season? Tag your photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets — we can’t wait to see your festive finds!
Winter Events
Christmas Village
The Christmas Village is the most traditional of the city’s markets. It’s located on the beautiful Museumplein, in the Museum Quarter. Here, you’ll find the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum, and other smaller museums.
Around 45 chalets surround an outdoor ice skating rink, and trees in the park are adorned with fairy lights. There is excellent food and traditional drinks, including poffertjes, raclette, smoked fish, cheese fondue, mulled wine, hot cider, and hot chocolate.
Note: The Ice Amsterdam ice skating rink will return in 2027.
Winter Paradise
Winter Paradise takes place at the huge RAI Amsterdam exhibition centre, offering a completely different atmosphere from the traditional city centre markets. I don’t really recommend this for visitors to Amsterdam unless the weather is terrible, as it’s indoors, as you have to pay entry and it lacks the authentic Amsterdam atmosphere.
Status: Expected, based on previous years
Winter Paradise dates: 16th December 2026 to 3rd January 2027
Source: Official site
Location: RAI Amsterdam Exhibition Centre.
Opening times: 9am to 11pm.
Christmas Day: Open.
Tickets: Booked for a specfic time slot. Prices start from €17.50. Book online.
Accessible: Yes.
Public transport: Metro station Amsterdam RAI.
Travel tip: This is further out from the city centre so you need to take the metro to RAI station.
Funky Xmas Market
A one-day event that could be fun and quirky if you happen to be in Amsterdam on that particular day and you’re looking for an alternative event to attend. It’s held as a special edition of the weekly Sunday Market at Westergas.
My comprehensive guide to the Funky Xmas Market provides more details and explains what to expect from this unique winter experience.
Status: Confirmed
Funky Xmas dates: 20th December 2026
Location: Westergasfabriek.
Opening times: 12pm to 6pm.
Admission: Free.
Dutch Christmas Markets (Day Trips from Amsterdam)
Several options are easily accessible on a day trip from Amsterdam, or spend a couple of nights discovering these destinations.
- Amstelveen
- Winter Village at Winkelcentrum Stadshart. Perfect if you want a relaxed shopping centre atmosphere without the Amsterdam crowds.
- Status: Expected, based on previous years
- Dates: 28th November to 4th January 2027
- Source: Winter Village Nederland
- Winter Village at Winkelcentrum Stadshart. Perfect if you want a relaxed shopping centre atmosphere without the Amsterdam crowds.
- Edam
- Light Night at the famous cheese town transforms its historic streets with spectacular light installations that reflect off the canals.
- Haarlem
- Frans Hals’ city hosts one of the Netherlands’ largest markets on its stunning medieval square, Grote Markt, surrounded by historic guild houses.
- Status: Confirmed
- Dates: 11th to 13th December 2026
- Source: Visit Haarlem
- Frans Hals’ city hosts one of the Netherlands’ largest markets on its stunning medieval square, Grote Markt, surrounded by historic guild houses.
- Leiden
- Winter Wonder Weken – Home to the Netherlands’ oldest university, this canal city offers unique attractions like the Floating Ice Rink, Nostalgic Fair, and the House of Sinterklaas.
- Status: Expected, based on previous years
- Dates: 30th November to 24th December 2026
- Source: Visit Leiden
- Winter Wonder Weken – Home to the Netherlands’ oldest university, this canal city offers unique attractions like the Floating Ice Rink, Nostalgic Fair, and the House of Sinterklaas.
- The Hague
- The Royal Christmas Fair – The seat of Dutch government hosts an upscale market along the tree-lined Lange Voorhout, near the royal palaces.
- Status: Confirmed
- Dates: 3rd to 23rd December 2026
- Opening hours: 12pm to 9pm.
- Source: The Hague
- The Royal Christmas Fair – The seat of Dutch government hosts an upscale market along the tree-lined Lange Voorhout, near the royal palaces.
- Utrecht
- Country & Christmas Fair – The highlight here is the castle setting at Kasteel de Haar – the Netherlands’ most luxurious castle with fairy-tale turrets and gardens.
- Status: Cancelled last year
- Dates:
17th to 24th November - Source: The Country Fair
- Utrecht Winter Spectacle
- Status: Expected, based on previous years
- Dates: 17th December to 4th January 2027
- Location: Jaarbeurs
- Source: Winter Spektakel
- Country & Christmas Fair – The highlight here is the castle setting at Kasteel de Haar – the Netherlands’ most luxurious castle with fairy-tale turrets and gardens.
- Vreeland
- A tiny fortified town on the Vecht River that feels like stepping back in time, especially during its intimate winter market.
- Status: Expected, based on previous years
- Date: 12th December 2026
- Source: Vreeland Kerstmarkt
- A tiny fortified town on the Vecht River that feels like stepping back in time, especially during its intimate winter market.
What to Expect
With its pretty canals, charming architecture, and many activities and events, Amsterdam during the holidays is a magical experience that should not be missed. I’ve visited several times when it’s snowing, and it’s so beautiful. I highly recommend a winter visit.
The Dutch celebrate Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) on December 5th, which adds a unique cultural layer to the Christmas season. Amsterdam is also excellent for clothing boutiques and interior design stores, with countless gift opportunities throughout the historic centre’s boutiques and markets. For convenient snacking while exploring the city, look out for food vending machines – an interesting Dutch approach to quick meals that you won’t find in many other European capitals.
Dutch Specialties
- Kerststol: A Dutch fruitcake filled with dried fruits and nuts.
- Pepernoten: Small cookies that are crunchy and typically enjoyed during the Sinterklaas season.
- Speculaas: Thin, crisp, spiced cookies often featuring windmill or Sinterklaas designs, made using a traditional wooden mould.
- Gourmetten: A popular Dutch holiday dining experience where guests cook their choice of meats, vegetables, and cheeses on a tabletop grill.
- Erwtensoep: A split pea soup often served with rye bread.
- Stamppot: A classic Dutch dish made from mashed potatoes mixed with various vegetables, like kale or sauerkraut, and served with smoked sausage.
Food at the Market
- Oliebollen: Deep-fried doughnut balls filled with raisins or currants, dusted with powdered sugar.
- Poffertjes: Small, fluffy Dutch pancakes topped with powdered sugar and butter.
- Stroopwafels: Thin waffles made from two layers of dough, filled with caramel, and often served warm.
- Kibbeling: Deep-fried fish bites, typically made from cod, served with a mayonnaise-based sauce.
- Bitterballen: Deep-fried meatballs that are usually served with mustard sauce.
- Grilled sausages: Various types of grilled sausages, including the traditional Dutch smoked sausage called “rookworst.”
- Roasted Chestnuts: A winter classic.
- Frites (Dutch fries): Thick-cut chips served in a paper cone with a choice of dipping sauces, such as mayonnaise, ketchup, or curry sauce.
- Warm drinks: Hot chocolate, mulled wine (also known as glühwein), and spiced apple cider are popular choices.
What to Buy
- Handmade crafts: Artisan-made ceramics, wood carvings, ornaments, and other unique handcrafted items.
- Dutch souvenirs include wooden clogs, Delftware pottery, and items themed around windmills.
- Local delicacies: Dutch cheeses, such as Gouda and Edam, as well as traditional sweets like stroopwafels, chocolate, and licorice.
- Festive food: Jams, preserves, and specialty condiments are nice stocking fillers.
- Dutch art: Prints by artists like Van Gogh and Vermeer, and original local artwork.
- Knitwear: Warm and cosy scarves, gloves, hats and socks.
- Decorations: Unique and festive ornaments, tree toppers, and holiday-themed decorations.
- Eco-friendly products: Locally sourced or upcycled items that promote environmental consciousness while being attractive and functional gifts.
- Toys and games: Traditional Dutch toys, puzzles and board games for children and adults.
Responsible Travel Tips
- Shop mindfully: Focus on purchasing items you genuinely need or making meaningful gifts, supporting local artisans and businesses.
- Transportation: Walk, cycle, or use public transport to get around.
- Eco-friendly hotel: Stay in places powered by renewable energy and follow sustainable practices.
- Support local housing: Book a hotel instead of a short-term apartment to help address the shortage of affordable housing.
- Minimise plastic use: Avoid using single-use plastics and avoid purchasing items made or packaged with plastic.
- Local, organic cuisine: Whenever possible, opt for locally sourced and organic food to support local producers.
- Limit your meat and dairy consumption: Enjoy plant-based or vegetarian meals to reduce the environmental impact of your diet. Amsterdam is known for its large selection of plant-based eateries.
- Venture beyond tourist hotspots: Explore more than just the main attractions and discover local neighbourhoods, such as the Jordaan district.
- Support the arts: Attend local events, performances, galleries and exhibitions.
- Focus on quality over quantity: Instead of rushing from one destination to another, visit fewer places but spend more time at each, allowing for deeper connections and a better understanding.
Comment below if you want to leave a Xmas review, have any questions or would like to report any inaccuracies.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon as definitive. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
Hi, are the Christmas markets on every day during the week or just at weekends?
Every day as far as I know, but I can’t guarantee anything until later in the year.
Hi can you please send details of christmas markets in Amsterdam we are ther 23 to 27th November
I only have the details listed on this page. Confirmed dates will be available later in the year.
Why does all the Amsterdam Christmas markets open late in December while the rest of the Netherlands Christmas markets Open earlier in December
Hi
is December 23-26 a good timing for tourists in Amsterdam ? are markets, museums, shopping open ??.
It varies but you’ll find many places open. For example, the Rijksmuseum and Winter Paradise are open every day. Anne Frank House opens every day except the 25th December. I suggest going iAmsterdam and checking for each place you’re interested in.
Do u know of any that will start around 16 Nov? i’ll be in Amsterdam then till Nov 22.
Thanks for the amazing write up. Just to clarify, the ice Christmas market apparently opens only in Dec 2022 and not Nov?
Sorry, you’re right, the Christmas market is from 14 December 2022 to 26 December 2022 but the rest of the event is on longer.
Drive a bit to Germany, Düsseldorf Xmas Market is planned to be opened by 17th Nov. One of the largest in West Germany after Cologne.