Date: 13th Dec to 3rd Jan 2025

Best For: Families, Rides & Ice Skating

Where: RAI Convention Centre, Zuid

Taking over RAI Amsterdam each festive period, Amsterdam Winter Paradise is a magical seasonal event that enchants the city with its festive splendour. Transforming the venue into a winter wonderland, the event features a grand indoor and outdoor ice rink as its star attraction amidst a backdrop of dazzling lights and lively music, it one of the best Christmas Markets in Amsterdam.

It also features a Ferris wheel offering panoramic views of the city as it is layered in festivity, a carousel and cross-country skiing. The event also boasts a bustling Christmas market where you can shop for unique gifts and seasonal delights. Along with many activities for young and old that you can do with family, friends, or a date.

Amsterdam Winter Paradise takes the holiday cheer up a notch with its impressive attractions tube slide, the largest indoor light experience in the Netherlands, Winter Cinema, apres ski village and even the iconic Coca-Cola truck. Learn more here.

Date: 4th Dec to 28th Dec 2025

Best For: Families, Couples & Friends, Central location makes it easy to combine with other iconic Amsterdam experiences

Where: Museumplein

One of the most spectacular Christmas markets in Amsterdam, Christmas Village is situated right at the heart of the city’s cultural hub of Museumplein. The Christmas market is located right by the major museums like the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, the Christmas Village at Museumplein makes it easy to combine sightseeing with some festive shopping and cheer.

It is renowned as the largest Christmas market in the city, with over 45 wooden chalet stalls, Christmas Village draws locals and visitors alike to its lively stalls offering an array of delightful gifts, seasonal decorations and traditional Dutch treats. Christmas Village is also home to an expansive ice rink, Whether you’re a seasoned skater or trying it for the first time, the rink offers fun for all ages and skill levels.

Date: 27th Nov to 18th Jan 2025

Where: Throughout Amsterdam’s canals and city centre

Best For: Culture, Pair it with a Christmas Market visit, Families

While exploring Amsterdam’s best Christmas markets, don’t miss the Amsterdam Light Festival. The Amsterdam Light Festival lights up the city’s iconic canals with art installations and glowing sculptures by 20 different internationally renowned artists who showcase their interpretation of “What will we leave behind?, Which stories do we pass on? How do we want to be remembered?​​”.

The festival offers a cultural experience that complements the festive atmosphere of Christmas Markets in Amsterdam. You can explore the Amsterdam Light festival on foot, bike (download their app for directions) they also have a trail dedicated to kids, foodies and more or hop on board a canal boat and admire the light artworks through the big windows and glass roof.

Pair your visit with stops at the nearby Christmas markets, such as the Ice*Village at Museumplein or the Funky Xmas Market at Westergas, for a full day (or evening) of festive fun.

Related: 10 Best Hotels in Amsterdam

Date: 2025 TBC

Where: Westergas, Polonceaukade 27

Best For: Unique gifts, live music/DJ’s, neon Christmas tree

Showcasing the city’s eclectic and creative spirit, the Funky Xmas Market is a standout seasonal event in the Dutch capital, taking place the first Sunday of every month. As an extension of the popular weekly Sunday Market at Westergasfabriek, Funky Xmas Market brings festive cheer to this creative park while celebrating music, art, design, and diverse cuisines.

Held at the iconic Westergasfabriek, a former industrial complex turned cultural haven, the Funky Xmas Market is an explosion of creativity and style. This trendy Christmas market in Amsterdam is home to over 100 stalls from local designers and artists showcasing their imaginative crafts from quirky jewellery and avant-garde fashion to unconventional home decor and artistic trinkets.

 The market buzzes with live music, DJs, entertainment and a festive atmosphere whilst food trucks and stalls offer a delightful array of culinary delights from gourmet snacks to festive treats. The Funky Xmas Market in Amsterdam truly encapsulates the city’s spirit of individuality and creativity, making it a must-visit destination during the festive season.

Date: December 21

Where: Amsterdam Forest, Frankendael Park, Amstelpark

Best For: Food lovers

A destination with a difference amongst Amsterdam Xmas markets, Pure Markt is a haven for those seeking an authentic and organic holiday experience. With 3 different locations around the city, Pure Markt is a traveling Sunday market.

It is a celebration of sustainability, quality, and community held in the city’s most important ecological park. Featuring over 90 vendors, the event offers an assortment of handcrafted, organic and locally sourced products with unique gifts and culinary delights for the holiday season.

Pure Markt is an idyllic setting adorned with seasonal decorations, cheerful carolers and a warm, inviting ambiance whilst vendors present an array of gourmet foods, artisanal beverages and handmade crafts. A market that promotes conscious consumption while spreading joy during the holidays, Pure Markt is arguably one of the world’s best eco-friendly festive celebrations.

Date: 12th Dec to 14th Dec 2025

Where: Grote Markt, Haarlem

Located just outside Amsterdam, a short train ride (about 15–20 minutes) from Amsterdam, the city centre of Haarlem will once again be transformed into a festive Christmas market. Held annually in Haarlem’s historic city center, round the Grote Markt  the main square surrounded by beautiful old buildings and the impressive St. Bavokerk (St. Bavo’s Church). This year’s Christmas market will have almost 350 stalls spread across 12 locations in the city center.

The Schagchelstraat will again be transformed into the Street of Emma, ​​where you go back in time to a real 19th-century Christmas party and the Kleine Houtstraat completely in the style of the Middle Ages. During the Christmas market there will be an extensive entertainment program, whilst being surrounded by twinkling lights, the smell of freshly baked treats, and the sound of Christmas carols playing from the speakers.

Saturdays and Sundays are when this Christmas Market in Amsterdam is the liveliest with performances in the city centre, both indoors and outdoors. If you are looking to do some Christmas shopping with fewer crowds we recommend visiting on Friday.

It is also worth noting that several day tours operate from Amsterdam to Germany’s if you want to visit more Christmas Markets.

Related: Best Christmas Markets in Germany

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