
All lit up: best spots to see holiday lights in Amsterdam
24 November 2025



Museumplein transforms into a charming Christmas Village each year with live entertainment, market stalls, and plenty of festive food and drinks to keep you warm. Hosted for the eighth year in a row, this market features over 45 exciting vendors, including delicious food stalls, crafts, and roaming choirs performing a cappella songs in a magical winter landscape. So put on your winter coat and warm shoes, come by for a hot chocolate, a glass of mulled wine or buy your last-minute Christmas gifts. Visit the Christmas Village Amsterdam website for all information.
Christmas Village Amsterdam | 4 - 28 December 2025, 12:00 - 21:00 daily | Museumplein, Oud-Zuid





Each year, the RAI convention centre transforms into a winter wonderland in December with both indoor and outdoor ice-skating rinks, seasonal parties, dining galore and a giant Ferris wheel that looks out over the city of Amsterdam. This year, immerse yourself in The Wonderful World, an audiovisual experience that culminates in the Symphony of Lights, where art and music meet. You can tube across real snow, cross-country ski between Christmas trees or goof off with a classic snowball fight.
Amsterdam Winter Paradise | 17 December 2025 - 3 January 2026 | RAI Amsterdam, Zuid

The monthly Sunday market, which highlights the work of local artists, fashion designers and creatives, gets an extra bit of Christmas cheer with its Funky Xmas Market in mid-December. Head to the iconic Westergasfabriek terrain to browse through a plenty of handmade art and accessories, or simply sit back and enjoy the artsy Christmas atmosphere.
Sunday Market | 21 December 2025 - Funky Xmas Market | Westergasfabriek, Westerpark

This cosy farmers market, regularly travelling around the city, will be popping up in Park Frankendael this November and December for its unmissable Winter editions. The market is populated by a community of remarkable vendors from all across the country, all of whom are deeply passionate about the products they grow, harvest, craft and cook. Don’t miss your chance to shop for stunning hand-made goods, plenty of foodie delicacies to stock up your refrigerator over the festive period, as well as music, bites and drinks to help you soak up the festive atmosphere.
Pure Markt Wintermarkt | Sunday 30 November 2025 & Sunday 21 December 2025, 11:00-17:00 | Park Frankendael, Oost



Amstelveen, just south of Amsterdam, hosts a Christmas event worth travelling for. The city centre transforms into the Winter Village, with an ice skating rink and plenty of spaces for gathering family and friends. While there are no market stalls, be assured of a festive experience like no other.
Winter Village | 29 November 2025 - 4 January 2025 | Winkelcentrum Stadshart, Amstelveen

The Haarlem Christmas Market is one of the largest in the Netherlands, and it's a magical holiday experience you don't want to miss. Just a short train ride from Amsterdam, stroll around Haarlem's picturesque historic centre, where hundreds of festive market stalls line the charming streets, offering unique gifts, crafts, and seasonal treats. Haarlem is only a 20 minute train ride from Amsterdam and offers plenty of festive attractions, museums, boutique shopping and more.
Haarlem Christmas Market | 12-14 December 2025 | Grote Markt, Haarlem

There is nothing quite as magical as Christmas – well, perhaps a Christmas market in a castle! At the Castle Christmas Fair, just over a 30-minute drive west of Amsterdam, you can take your family and friends on a real winter wonderland adventure, complete with fun workshops and market stalls hawking handmade goods. This year's brand-new location, on the enchanting grounds of Landgoed Duin & Kruidberg, will surely bring an extra dose of Christmas cheer to your evenings.
Castle Christmas Fair | 26 November - 30 November 2025 | Landgoed Duin & Kruidberg, Santpoort-Noord