Amsterdam Christmas markets
Amsterdam throws itself into the spirit of Christmas in great style. There is no main Amsterdam Christmas market, but many of the city’s squares transform into Christmas markets packed with stalls selling food, mulled wine and seasonal gifts.
Christmas in Amsterdam starts early as the Dutch day for gift-giving isn't Christmas day, it's the 5th December. Sinterklaas (St Nicholas), brings children their presents on the 5th of December, which is the eve of St Nicholas's day. This year the Amsterdam Christmas market 2022 runs from end of November 2022 to early January 2023.
Best Amsterdam Christmas markets to visit
Rembrandtplein
Stop to take a selfie with one of the life-sized statues of the Night Watch as you browse the stalls around this atmospheric market.
There are lots of restaurants and bars around the square, so it’s a good place to end a day of Christmas shopping and start your evening.
Museumplein
Every year, this Amsterdam Christmas market is held the in the Museum Quarter. The ice Village sets up on this square with over 50 local and international stalls await you, selling gifts, food and drink.
The massive basin of the Museumplein fountain is turned into a very popular ice skating rink, surrounded by museums and drawing thousands of visitors every year.
When: 14 to 26 December 2022
Free entrance
Leidseplein
This is the place to go for ice skating and eating. Take to the ice to practice your figures of eight, then warm up with a mulled wine and some olibollen, delicious little deep-fried dumplings.
The market opens in early November, getting progressively more Christmassy in December.
Dam Square
Your Christmas in Amsterdam would not be complete without seeing the massive 20 ft Christmas tree in front of the Royal Palace. Decorated with 40,000 bulbs, it’s a magical sight to get you into the festive mood. And don’t worry, the bulbs are all energy efficient LEDs so the environmental impact is minimal.
Christmas food in Amsterdam
Everybody needs a bit of a sugar boost when they’ve been shopping, visiting museums, ice skating and sightseeing all day. Don't worry, there's no shortage of sugary snacks during Christmas in Amsterdam. Try traditional New Year treat, oliballen (deep-fried dough balls) or appelbeignets (deep-fried apple fritters) to warm you up.
You’ll also find chocolate letters (great for stocking fillers), pepernoten (square biscuits flavoured with aniseed, cinnamon or clove) and speculaas (spiced biscuits), traditionally eaten for Sinterklaas (St Nicholas’ day).
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