Magical Christmas markets in and near Amsterdam

The most wonderful time of the year is almost here: Christmas! The Dutch capital started putting up its Christmas decorations in early November and is completely ready for this joyful holiday season to start. The dark days of winter will be brightened by the lighting of the Christmas tree on the Dam Square, the Amsterdam Light Festival and several lovely Christmas markets.

If you look for the different Christmas markets in Amsterdam you might find yourself overwhelmed with choice. From Winter Wonderland, both indoor and outdoor options, with a winter market, ice village and mulled wine, there are plenty of great options available this winter. But not to worry, we have made a list of the best Christmas markets around. So grab a blanket, your favourite cup of hot chocolate and read on!

Convention centre RAI Amsterdam will once again become the ultimate winter experience, and this year it is bigger and better than ever. The Amsterdam Winter Paradise takes place both inside and outside the convention centre. Here, you can show your skating skills on the ice-skating rinks, try your hand at curling, grab the mic for some karaoke, do your Christmas shopping or enjoy the view over the city of Amsterdam from the giant Ferris wheel.

Those are only a few of the activities you can enjoy when you visit the Amsterdam Winter Paradis, there will also be live performances and lots of food and drinks options. And if all that doesn’t make your Christmas heart beat a little faster, then the following will: no matter the weather there is snow! Time for a classic snowball fight.

Open from 14 December 2023 till 31 December 2023.

For a Christmas market in the centre of Amsterdam, head to the Museumplein to visit the Ice*Village. Though there is no ice skating there this year, the Christmas market promises a fun day for all. There will be over 45 stands where you can buy great presents, and various food and drinks.

If you get too cold here you can easily visit on of the many great museums that surround the square. Amongst the many museums here, you will find the Rijksmuseum, the national museum of the Netherlands, and the Van Gogh Museum. You can buy your museum tickets online or at our shop on the square.

Open from 13 December till 26 December 2023.

A bit further from the Amsterdam city centre, in the heart of Amstelveen (a suburb of Amsterdam) lovers of the festive season can feast their eyes for no less than five weeks. During this time the Stadsplein will be the centre of a spacious but above all very festive Winter Village. The village has a large ice rink as well as a cosy terrace, making it the perfect place to get into the winter and Christmas spirit.

Open from 2 December 2023 till 7 January 2024.

Of course, there are many more magical Christmas Markets in the Netherlands, including some smaller ones around Amsterdam, such as the Funky Xmas Market at the Westergasfabriek on 3 and 17 December. One of the largest Christmas markets in the Netherlands can be found in Haarlem from 8 to 10 December, a twenty minute train ride from Amsterdam. However, if you’re staying in Amsterdam, these Christmas markets are the closest and nicest to visit!

Aside from visiting the magical Christmas Markets of Amsterdam, there are more fun things to do this winter. Do you want to make sure you don’t miss anything fun during your stay in Amsterdam? Then you could use a local friend to help you around!

And we would love to be your local guide. Start by making sure you are properly packed for your visit to Amsterdam this winter season and reading up on Dutch Christmas traditions.