Christmas markets 2024
Are you coming to Amsterdam in December? Would you like to know if there are any Christmas markets worth visiting in Amsterdam? We might not give you an answer you will like, but it will at least be an answer!
Have you ever been to the Christmas markets in cities such as Nürnberg, Prague, Vienna, or Budapest? They are fantastic and they come with an amazing atmosphere. What’s up in Amsterdam?
You might not find Christmas markets as beautiful as the ones referred to above, but there are still several opportunities for those who want to experience Christmas markets while in Amsterdam.
The most famous Christmas markets in Amsterdam
Here we will share a few words about the most famous Christmas markets in Amsterdam.
Christmas market by Rijksmuseum (Museumplein)
This is a fantastic Christmas market at a very central location in Amsterdam. Here you will find a giant ice skating rink, and more than 45 stalls where you can buy nice Christmas presents and souvenirs, and also eat and drink and have a wonderful time.
Dates in 2024
December 12, 2024 – December 26, 2024.
- Dates in 2024: December 12, 2024 – December 26, 2024.
- Dates in 2023: December 13, 2023 – December 26, 2023.
Would you like to live in a hotel near the most famous Christmas market in Amsterdam? Below you can see a map showing the Museumplein with its Christmas market and museums, including nearby hotels and apartments with price estimations.
It is quite ideal to live near Museumplein if you come to discover the city of Amsterdam for a few days. It is easy to travel to Amsterdam Centraal and other important locations using public transportation, but it is even better if you walk by foot or using a bike!
Winter Paradise by RAI Amsterdam
Winter Paradise is the name of yet another fantastic Christmas market in Amsterdam. Here you are guaranteed snow and a fantastic Christmas atmosphere. Be aware of the fact that this market has an entrance fee which costs more than 22 Euro for a full-day ticket and 13 Euro for an evening ticket. There is an indoor and outdoor ice skating rink available, a huge Ferris wheel, restaurants, and lots of concerts. In addition, there are special worlds with lights, music, and entertainment on the inside.
The Christmas market opens around 9.00 every morning.
Dates for Winter Paradise by RAI Amsterdam 2024:
December 19, 2024 – January 5, 2025
- Dates in 2024: December 19, 2024 – January 5, 2025.
- Dates in 2023: December 14, 2023 – December 26, 2023.
You can find more information and buy tickets for the market at https://www.hetamsterdamsewinterparadijs.nl/
This event is located a little bit further away from the city center of Amsterdam, but it is very easy to get here if you use public transportation or if you like walking on foot.
Winter Village Amstelveen
This market is even further away from the city center of Amsterdam, but once again, a great place to visit if you want to experience something similar to a Christmas market while in Amsterdam. Once again the main focus is on the ice skating rink, but you will also find stalls where you can buy food and drinks, some souvenirs, and Christmas effects.
This is an area frequently visited by the locals, so here you will meet way more locals than tourists.
Dates for Winter Village Amstelveen in 2024:
November 30, 2024 – January 5, 2025
- Dates in 2024: November 30, 2024 – January 5, 2025.
- Dates in 2023: December 2, 2023 – January 7, 2024.
Other things you should think about if you come to Amsterdam to visit the Christmas markets.
If you come to Amsterdam in December, and maybe especially to visit the Christmas markets, then there are several things you should keep in mind. Here we will try to share some useful pieces of advice that will help you get the most out of your trip to Amsterdam and the Netherlands.
What weather can I expect?
The average temperature in Amsterdam in December is between 2 and 6 Celsius. During the night it can get even colder, and besides this, December is considered a wet month with a fair amount of rain in the Dutch capital. But, if you are lucky, you can even experience some snow. Just to see it all in perspective, the warm record in Amsterdam in December is about 15 Celsius, while the coldest temperature measured in December is 30 degrees colder, that is, -15 Celsius. Now you know a little bit more about what to expect.
December is also a dark month, meaning that sunrise is around 8.30-8.45, while sunset is around 16.30.
Are there things I should be aware of?
Amsterdam is a very popular city, and millions and millions of people visit it every year. As a result, the locals are quite fed up with tourists shouting in the streets and ruining their peaceful city. As a result, you should treat the locals with respect and watch out for how you behave. Many people come to Amsterdam thinking about the Red Light District and smoking cannabis, and as a result, they think everything is allowed, including singing and shouting on the streets, so they forget everything they have learned before about how to behave elsewhere. You shouldn’t do that!
Since there are lots of people coming to Amsterdam, also in December, you should plan your trip ahead. Maybe you come to Amsterdam for two reasons; the Christmas markets and the Anne Frank House. Then it is worth knowing that you need to book your tickets to the Anne Frank House several weeks, sometimes months, before you arrive to get a ticket. You can read more about the Anne Frank House, tickets, and where to buy tickets when all the official tickets are sold out at our Anne Frank House page. If you have other specific museums, tours, or programs you would like to enjoy, book them early!
If you want to spend your time in the best way possible, you should find your accommodation early and try to book a hotel or apartment as closely as possible to either one of the Christmas markets, or in the inner city (from which you can easily travel to the rest of the city). You can read more about the hotels and find hotels near the popular Christmas market at Museumplein further up in the article.
Would you like to experience the most famous Christmas markets in the Netherlands?
Netherlands isn’t a big country, so you can get to almost any location in the country by train or by car within 2 hours. So, why don’t you leave the safety of Amsterdam to experience some of the most famous and popular Christmas markets in the Netherlands?
Christmas Town Valkenburg
Valkenburg is a small city close to Maastricht, and very closer to the Belgian border. It is located 210km from Amsterdam, a ride that should take 2 1/2 hours by car. If you are in Valkenburg, you are close to the famous city of Aachen in Germany, and a 90 minute drive from Brussels, another city with beautiful Christmas markets.
Christmas Town Valkenburg has received lots of attention in recent years, and it has even been included on lists of the top Christmas markets in all of Europe, and many consider it to be the best in the Netherlands. The city turns into a Christmas market in itself where you can see nativity scenes, buy products, and eat and drink. But, the most interesting scene in Valkenburg is the castle. It dates back to the 12th century when it was first built by Gosewijn I. During the 13th century, the castle was expanded and strengthened under the direction of Gosewijn IV. It became one of the most formidable strongholds in the region, characterized by its thick walls and strategic location. The castle faced several sieges and attacks throughout its history. It was finally destroyed in 1672 by French troops during the Franco-Dutch War under the command of King Louis XIV. What does this has to do with Christmas?
The ruins below the former castle is a popular tourist attraction and before Christmas these caves turn into a fantastic Christmas market (for which you need to buy a ticket to enter). There are approximately 50 stalls where you can buy products at this market, but you can also see carved wallstone paintings, and so much more.
Christmas Town Valkenburg dates 2024:
November 15, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Do you have any favorite Christmas market in Amsterdam or elsewhere in the Netherlands that you would like to write about? Please write a comment below and let us hear from you. If you have comments or questions about the Christmas market, write below and we will do our best to help you if you ask a question we are capable of answering!
