Amsterdam Christmas markets
Discover Amsterdam's Christmas markets
Amsterdam throws itself into the spirit of Christmas with style. There are a range of Amsterdam Christmas markets, many of which transform the city's squares with stalls selling food, mulled wine and festive 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. The Amsterdam Christmas markets run from the end of November 2023 to early January 2024.
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.
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.
Museumplein
Every year, this Amsterdam Christmas market is held in the Museum Quarter, featuring over 50 local and international stalls selling gifts, food and drinks.
The massive basin of the Museumplein fountain is turned into a very popular ice skating rink that draws in thousands of visitors every year.
When: 13 to 26 December 2023
Free entrance
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 sure to get you in the festive mood.
Christmas food in Amsterdam
Everyone needs a sugar boost after 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 treats like 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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