The beauty of living near Amsterdam is easy access to some of the world-famous markets. One of them being the Christmas Markets. Although the markets are small compared to the once in Stuttgart or Dusseldorf Germany, they seem to contain all the same attractions plus winter activities.
First Market: Ice Village Amsterdam
The ice village: located at Amsterdam’s Museumplein: transformed into a lovely Christmas village. Here you can find ice-skating rink, holiday drinks, and food, as well as a few shops to purchase gifts/souvenirs. Sit by the fire pit and enjoy the Christmas Spirit. Open from the 13th to 26 of December.
Tip: Bathrooms at this location cost 1 euro. Go to the Rijksmuseum to use the bathroom; it’s free. To access the bathroom, you must enter the museum on the right side (go underneath the arch/tunnel, and you’ll see the entrance) there is also a cafe and a book shop at this entrance.
Second Market: Amsterdam Winter Paradise
The RAI (Amsterdam Convention Centre) transforms into a winter wonderland. At this location, you can both enjoy indoor and outdoor ice-skating rinks, festive food, and ride the giant Ferris wheel with fantastic city views of Amsterdam. As well as you can tube across real snow, enjoy cross-country ski between Christmas trees or have a good old snowball fight. This Christmas market isn’t free; there is an entrance fee. The tickets vary in price depending on where you’ll buy them: at the door or online. To find out more, read the RAI. Open from 21st December to the 5th January.
Other markets to know about for next year:
Funky Xmas Market– a Sunday market, located on the outskirts of Amsterdam.
Amsterdamsche Kerstmarkt – is only open for three days and features an ice rink, live music, food trucks, and winter bars, as well as it has many activities for children.
Winter Village Stadshart Amstelveen– located in Amstelveen, a city south of Amsterdam. Here the city is transformed into a winter village, where children get to play on the ice, and parents get to shop at the 60 plus market stalls for handcrafted gifts.
Kerstmarkt Vreeland– located in the city of Vreelnad, between Amsterdam and Utrecht. Although the town is small, it knows how to put together a good Christmas market/celebration.
Castle Christmas Fair– located in Heemskerk, just a 30-minute drive northwest of Amsterdam, this place couldn’t be more magical for Christmas. Open from 28 of November to the 1st of December 2019.
Haarlem Christmas Market– read more about this lovely city in my previous blog post ” Great Cities and Towns to visit in The Netherlands during Fall.” Haarlem is home to the largest Christmas market in the Netherlands. It’s a must-see and do experience.
The Royal Christmas Fair– located in Den Hague, if you feel like getting the royal experience, visit this fair.
Country & Christmas Fair – open from the 19th to the 24 of November 2019, located at the De Haar Castle.
Lichtjesavond Edam– a holiday event open one day a year, for all to shop and enjoy the beginning of holidays. Located in the city of Edam.
Kerstmarkt Alkmaar– this Christmas market placed at Waagplein – right in the center of the city, features more than 60 wooden Christmas stalls. All stalls offer either gifts to buy, festive food to eat, or gluhwein to drink.
Floating Christmas Market- located in Leiden, and it’s the only floating market in the Netherlands. This market I want to visit, and see how everything functions. Open from the 13 to the 24 of December 2019.
