Looking for Christmas inspiration and holiday spirit? Visit one of the Christmas markets 2025 in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and other places in Europe!
Christmas markets, big and small, are organized in most of the cities in the Netherlands. And while it’s not possible to cover them all, we offer you our top picks.
Because the new winter timetables, not all tickets to the Christmas markets destinations (particularly in Germany) are bookable for travel dates after 14 December 2025. Check which ticket sales are open and when the remaining ones will be released.
Top Xmas markets in & around Amsterdam
For the latest updates please check here:
- Christmas markets in and around Amsterdam in 2025 >>
- Best Christmas markets in Europe >>
- 10 best things to do during Christmas in Amsterdam.
Best hotels to spend Christmas in Amsterdam
- Ambassade hotel
- Hotel Estheréa
- Andaz Prinsengracht
- Banks Mansion – all inclusive boutique hotel
- Pulitzer hotel
Looking for a hotel in central Amsterdam with a rooftop bar for New Year? Check
DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station and W Amsterdam.
Dickens Festival
Where: Deventer
When: 13 – 14 December 2025
During the annual Dickens Festival more than 950 characters from the famous books of Dickens – Oliver Twist, Marley and Mr. Pickwick, Scrooge – will revive in the streets of Deventer. Christmas trees and thousands of little lights, carol singers going, Christmas market with traditional Dutch food, drinks, and souvenirs – all combined, it makes Dickens Festival an unforgettable experience.
All the shops in Deventer will be open on this Saturday and Sunday.
Entrance to the Dickens Festival is free. Everyone is welcome! However be prepared to in line at the entrance.
More information: https://www.dickensfestijn.nl/english
Castle Christmas fair at Duin & Kruidberg (Santpoort Noord)
Where: in Santpoort Noord (28 minutes by direct train from Amsterdam), near Duin & Kruidberg hotel.
When: 26 – 28 November 2025
Duin & Kruidberg hotel looks like a fairy tale place all year round. This year the park around the hotel has been chosen as a location for traditional Castle Christmas fair. Please note: you have to book tickets in advance. You can choose between regular entraince tickets or different arangements – High Tea arrangement or Hotel arrangement.
Photos: hotel Duin & Kruidberg
The Netherlands Christmas town Valkenburg
Where: Valkenburg
When: 14 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
Christmas town Valkenburg is unique event involving various festive activities during the 2025 Christmas season. Check the Netherlands Christmas town Valkenburg agenda and come to experience traditional Dutch Christmas!
Christmas Market in Haarlem
Where: Haarlem
When: 12 – 14 December 2025
Tip! Book an overnight stay at the Landgoed Duin & Kruidberg country house (10 minutes by train to Haarlem center), usually richly decorated for Christmas.
The beautiful city of Haarlem is just 15 minutes away from the center of Amsterdam. Take a train and come to Haarlem’s main square, Grote Markt, to experience all the joy of a traditional, non-touristic Christmas market in the Netherlands. More information: https://www.visithaarlem.com/en/kerstmarkt/
- Book a hotel in Haarlem (we recommend Brasss Hotel Suites and Hotel ML)
- Things to do in Haarlem
- Buy train tickets to Haarlem. Amsterdam & Region Travel ticket is also valid in the trains from Amsterdam to Haarlem.
The best part of the Haarlem Christmas market (to my taste, but I hope you agree) is ‘t Straatje van Emma at Schagchelstraat. Here you can Christmas atmosphere of the 19th century. Cosy street, lots of people dressed up in beautiful costumes. And during our visit on a Saturday afternoon it was surprisingly not that crowded!
Museumplein Christmas Village
Where: Museumplein, Amsterdam
When: 12 – 26 December 2024 (dates for the 2025 will be published lated)
During the Christmas season Amsterdam’s Museumplein (Museum Square) in the center of the city becomes the place for winter joy and entertainments for adults and kids. In December the square in front of the Rijksmuseum transforms into the Amsterdam Christmas village with more than 45 stalls with various food and drinks.
- Create timeless memories – arrange a Christmas market photo shoot in Amsterdam.
Photo: Skating rink in Amsterdam
Come here for traditional Dutch street food, hot drinks and Christmas spirit!
Amsterdam Winter Paradise
Where: RAI Amsterdam Convention Center
When: 17 December 2025 – 3 January 2026.
Tickets: book in advance.
The Amsterdam Winter Paradise is something between a Christmas market and a festive fair. And while white Christmas is unlikely in the Netherlands, here you can definitely get a truly winter spirit!
And a few more Christmas ideas:
1. We probably shouldn’t say in on a website about the Netherlands, but the most ambient and festive Christmas market in Europe that we’ve seen was in Münster, Germany. It’s only 3 hours away from Amsterdam by train. A one-way ticket costs from € 20. The Christmas market in Münster is open from 27 November until 23 December 2023.
Here you can find more information about Christmas markets in Germany, Belgium, France and England. You can book tickets 180 days prior to the departure date.
Photos above: Christmas market in Dusseldorf, Germany, credit Svetlana Horbach
Photo: Christmas market in Neuss, Germany, credit Svetlana Horbach
2. If you cannot wait for Christmas, book a ticket to Disneyland Paris! The Christmas Season in Disneyland Paris is from 8 November 2025 to 6 January 2026. Explore its magic atmosphere with your family!
Plan your Christmas holidays 2025 in the Netherlands!
Check it out:
- Museums opening hours on Christmas and New Year’s Day
- Amsterdam Light Festival 2025: Celebrate the Light!
- Christmas markets in Germany, Belgium and France
- Christmas presents: ideas and inspiration
- Winter in Amsterdam: day itinerary