Most churches will provide this type of service on Christmas Eve. Though not free, it is pretty cheap to go ice skating at the Ice Rink at Rembrandtplein. You could get up to 50% off retail prices on several passes – or get in for free with an all-inclusive pass. In this Christmas market, you’ll find more than 75 adorable stalls that you can enjoy from December 16th until January 5th. This Dutch holiday starts sometime around the 14th of November- thanks to Sinterklass and the “Zwarte Pieten” (Black Peters). If you’re looking for a wide range of items, consider going to De Bijenkorf in Dam Square. New Yorker–born and raised. forms: { } See which pass can save you the most on your trip with our in-depth comparison post. The Dutch National Opera & Ballet offers a special Christmas concert on December 16th which is entirely free to attend. The Only Xmas Store in Amsterdam near the Flower Market. Entrance is entirely free! Unrelated to Christmas, you’ll be able to enjoy the city all lit up at night for the Amsterdam Light Festival. In Amsterdam, you can find New Year’s celebrations all around. NH Collection Amsterdam Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Found in the heart of the city, this 5 star stunner is the perfect base for exploring the city’s Christmas markets. ICE VILLAGE. Enjoy Amsterdam's Christmas Markets. Of course, you could take yourself on a tour of Amsterdam’s Christmas markets and the Foodhallen for a great sampling of wintry street food. (For 2019, the Castle Christmas Fair will occur between November 29th and December 2nd. However, in addition to this festival, you’ll also find plenty of interesting lighting displays in the shop windows and storefronts all throughout Amsterdam. In addition to the Ice Village, we also recommend these markets: The Dutch National Opera will also be hosting Alice’s Adventures Under Ground on December 19th, 22nd, and 30th. [December 5-8] Winter Fair Ahoy. This post covers the best things to do in Amsterdam in December, including Christmas activities,  free things to do, nighttime, and family-friendly events. Although the Christmas market only lasts one weekend (December 8th and 9th), the city center of Haarlem comes alive during this free Christmas market! This floating Christmas market is a foodie’s paradise with numerous stands for food and drinks that aren’t just your standard gluhwein and oliebollen… Click for my guide to the Leiden Christmas market! If the kids are sports fans, they’ll love going to the game and taking a behind-the-scenes tour of the official Ajax arena, and the tour is free for Amsterdam Pass holders. And they have a special festive version of this event during the holiday season. As a thank you, you'll receive our Amsterdam Travel Guide! There will be live entertainment as well as trinkets, clothing, and food for purchase. VIEW ALL PRODUCTS The best way to enjoy the lights is by taking tours by bus or canal tours. mc4wp.forms.on('subscribed', function(form) { Several of the items below are already included for free with the purchase of, The best way to enjoy the lights is by taking, Since the sun goes down pretty early this time of year, there are also, Amsterdam in December will host several concerts of different genres. One of the most popular examples is the Ice Village which opens up in front of the, Just like everywhere else in the city, the, Pure Market Winter Market | Park Frankendael, The Dutch National Opera will also be hosting. 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. There are always Christmas markets in various locations around Amsterdam each year. on: function(evt, cb) { Happily married to Jacob. Festive Dutch foods, Christmas markets and glorious festive cheer that takes over the whole city throughout December. ), Filed Under: Amsterdam, Day Trips from Amsterdam, Europe, Holland, The Hague, The Netherlands, Uncategorized, Weekend Trips from Amsterdam. In case you are not familiar with Dordrecht, this stunning city in South Holland is known as the “Venice of Holland.” Although the Christmas market here goes on a considerably shorter period than some other Dutch Christmas markets, the Dordrecht market has more than 300 stalls, sing-a-longs, and entertainment for all ages. This Christmas market, which starts on November 29th and runs until New Year’s Eve, is one of the largest in the Netherlands. Sign up for our Travel Newsletter! { Although the Dutch Christmas markets are not as famous as their German counterparts, the Christmas markets in the Netherlands are absolutely charming. Kerstmarkt Gemeentegrot is one of the most unique Christmas markets in the Netherlands. Not as famous as its German or even Belgian neighbours but there are some very decent Christmas markets to be found in the Netherlands. Be sure to not miss the amazing free fireworks sponsored by the City at Kop van Java (Java Island) along the IJ waters, just East of Central Station. Stephen is the CEO of Free Tours by Foot and has overseen the transformation of a local walking tour company into a global tour community and traveler’s advice platform. Where: Haarlem When: in 2020 there will be no Christmas market in Haarlem. So, if you’re looking for the best things to do in Amsterdam in December, then visiting these Christmas markets should be included in your itinerary. There is also an ice rink which is open well into the evening. And of course, we recommend taking a free walking tour of Amsterdam! Funky Xmas Market. This castle now operates as a hostel today (really!). behind-the-scenes tour of the official Ajax arena, Click here to get tickets and more information. It’s the perfect place for last minute Christmas shopping and getting into the Holiday spirit! Visit the Ice Village on Museumplein for one of the best Christmas experiences … If you’ll be busy during the holiday season, don’t worry: you can’t visit this Christmas market on the first day of Christmas. Pure market winter market. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats. You can find them all here. Click for my guide to Dordrecht’s Christmas market. In addition to playing classic holiday tunes and Christmas Carols, you’re also invited to join in and sing along with their performers. Amsterdam gears up for the season with Sinterklaas, Christmas and New Year's Eve, the taste of chocolate letters, pepernoten and speculaas on the tongues of children, mulled wine on the tongues of the older kids, a rosy glow in the cheeks of everyone and plenty of Christmas markets, holiday concerts, plays and … All of the acts in this circus are top-ranked performers who have been hand-picked by the Golden Clown awards. If you’re planning on visiting as many paid attractions as you can over multiple days, an all-inclusive pass might be your best option to save the most. The charm only grows with a warm gluhwein (or hot chocolate) in your hands as you browse the many stalls of this market. There are several great festive treats you can find in Amsterdam during the holidays. Prices per person start at € 20.50 up to € 72.50. The easiest way to see more attractions in Amsterdam is by purchasing a discount pass. In addition to great holiday treats, this market also includes an ice rink where the family can enjoy some ice skating. There’s nothing like watching the lights twinkle from the trees above as you browse the adorable stores for gifts. In 2019, the Deventer Dickens Festival will be held on December 14th and 15th. The biggest Christmas Markets in Amsterdam are: Sinterklaas Market or so-called Funky Christmas Market (open on Sunday the 1st of December and Sunday the 15th of December) Amsterdamsche Kerstmarkt (open on the 22nd and 23rd of December) Ice Village (open from the 13th of December until the 26th, included) Visit the Christmas Markets of Amsterdam to do your shopping or explore Holland's more out of the way Christmas Markets in Deventer and Dordrecht. Amsterdam's ultimate Christmas market and festival. If you’re interested in The Heineken Experience, there are bus or boat combo-packages that include Heineken tickets! The Christmas Market of Haarlem is one of the biggest in the Netherlands. Sip on mulled wine at the Ice Village, wander the … callback: cb Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Christmas Market in Haarlem. Browse an assortment of Christmas items, from traditional Dutch food to hand-painted Christmas ornaments and transform your Christmas experience into one you'll always remember. This may not be the case in 2020 due to the pandemic, but we recommend keeping an eye out on their calendar anyway. No matter where you go in this part of town, chances are you’ll see or experience at least a few festive (and potentially erotic) attractions during the winter. The new location is ushering in fresh look for the popular market, with an ice rink, live music, food trucks and winter bars, children's activities, a rotating roster of cultural … There are usually several professional sporting matches to attend in Amsterdam this December. Maastricht is beloved for its stunning medieval city center and its charming atmosphere. TIP: There will be a free Christmas market right next to the ice rink! For more free things to do in Amsterdam, check out our full article. Celebrate the yuletide in three charming cities. However, all around the city, you’ll find smaller Christmas markets in the various neighborhoods. (I doubted for a moment that there were others, but there are!) And truth be told: Maastricht is a fantastic place to visit at any time of year, but especially so around Christmas time when the beautiful central square Vrijthof has been turned into a winter wonderland village. Planning a trip to Europe? 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