Amsterdam Christmas Market 2024 Dates at Museumsplein

The Netherlands has some of Europe’s most festive winter markets. Amsterdam Christmas Market is at the stunning Museumplein location, and there are many more just a day trip away.

Below, we have the details you need to plan your trip, including the confirmed dates for 2024.

Amsterdam Christmas Market 2024

Dates – Confirmed

Christmas Village dates: 12th to 26th December 2024 (confirmed).

Update: Dates were announced in July. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.

Source: Dates are obtained directly from the event organiser’s website, available here.

Note: The following details are for the main winter event. Scroll down for details on the other markets.

Plan Your Visit

Location and Times

Location: Museumplein.
Opening times: 12pm to 9pm.
Christmas Day: 12pm to 7pm.
Boxing Day: 12pm to 7pm.

Travel and Accommodation

Recommended tour: This walking tour is ideal for first-time visitors to Amsterdam.
Public transport: Tram 2, 3 and 5. Tram stop: Museumplein. Metro line 52. Stop: Vijzelgracht.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion. Q-park Museumplein is under the square and is wheelchair accessible.
Where to stay: Hotel V Nesplein is in the city centre.

Amenities and Attractions

Admission: Free.
Santa: No.
Ice skating: Cancelled again in 2024.
Reason to visit: For the huge ice skating rink at Museumplein. Beautiful location and traditional stalls.

Dietary Options

Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Some options. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Food specialities: Oliebollen, proffertjes, stroopwafels, frites and bitterballen.

Accessibility

Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.

Convenient Hotels

Amsterdam is a compact, walkable city made up of distinct districts ringed by several canals. Cycling is popular, safe and accessible for many people, and the city has excellent, affordable public transport.

This means it’s easy to get around no matter where you stay. Hotel V Nesplein is a boutique hotel close to Dam Square and the Royal Palace. It’s halfway between Amsterdam Central Station and the Museum Quarter. It’s a great choice.

Alternatively, my guide to hotels in Amsterdam lists several other options that cover all budgets.

Recommended Tours

On a city tour, you’ll visit or pass by some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and attractions, including Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, and the flower market, Bloemenmarkt. This city tour is very popular as it allows you to explore many of the city’s highlights.

Another interesting tour is this food tour in the Jordaan district. I’ve taken several Eating Europe tours before and they’re excellent!

Ice Village Location

Captured a moment that embodies the holiday season? Tag your photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets — we can’t wait to see your festive finds!

Events in Amsterdam

Christmas Village

The Christmas Village is the most traditional of the city’s markets. It’s in the beautiful Museumplein, which is the Museum Quarter. So here you’ll find the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum and other smaller museums.

Around 45 chalets surround an outdoor ice skating rink (closed again this year), and trees in the park are adorned with fairy lights. There is great food and traditional drinks like poffertjes, raclette, smoked fish, cheese fondue, mulled wine, hot cider and hot chocolate.

Note: The Ice Amsterdam ice skating rink will not take place in 2024.

Winter Paradise

Winter Paradise is one of the largest winter events in the region. It takes place at the huge RAI Amsterdam exhibition centre.

Activities and attractions include indoor and outdoor ice skating, a Ferris wheel, curling, a winter cinema and beer tables. A new addition is the Paradise of Lights light trail and sculptures.

Winter Paradise dates: 13th to 30th December 2024 (unconfirmed). Official site.
Location: RAI Amsterdam Exhibition Centre.
Opening times: 9am to 11pm.
Christmas Day: Open.
Tickets: Booked for a specfic time slot. Prices start from €17.50. Book online.
Accessible: Yes.
Public transport: Metro station Amsterdam RAI.
Travel tip: This is a little further out from the city centre so you would need to the the metro to RAI station.

Funky Xmas Market

A one-day event held as a special edition of the weekly Sunday Market at Westergas.

My full guide to the Funky Xmas Market has more details and explains what to expect with this funky winter experience.

Funky Xmas Market dates: 15th December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Westergasfabriek.
Opening times: 12pm to 6pm.
Admission: Free.

List of Dutch Markets

Several options are easily accessible on a day trip from Amsterdam or spend a couple of nights discovering these destinations.

• Amstelveen
  • Winter Village
  • 30th November 2024 to 5th January 2025 (confirmed). Visit the official website.
  • Just south of Amsterdam at Winkelcentrum Stadshart.
• Edam
  • Light Night (unconfirmed).
  • Known for its light displays.
• Haarlem
  • 13th to 15th December 2024 (confirmed). Details are available at Visit Haarlem.
  • Located at Grote Markt.
  • An hour from Amsterdam.
  • One of the largest winter markets in the Netherlands.
• Leiden
  • Winter Wonder Weken
  • 1st to 24th December (confirmed). Details are available at Visit Leiden.
  • Visit the House of Sinterklaas and the Floating Ice Rink.
• The Hague
  • The Royal Christmas Fair
  • 5th to 23rd December 2024 (confirmed). Visit the official website.
  • Open daily from 12pm to 9pm.
  • An hour by train from Amsterdam Central at Lange Voorhout.
• Utrecht
  • Country & Christmas Fair – Kasteel de Haar
  • 19th to 24th November 2024 (confirmed). Visit the official website.
  • A picturesque market in the castle.
• Vreeland
  • 7th December 2024 (confirmed). Visit the official website.
  • 90 minutes by train from Amsterdam towards Utrecht.

What to Expect

With its pretty canals, charming architecture, and many activities and events, Amsterdam during the holidays is a magical experience that should not be missed. I’ve visited several times when it’s snowing, and it’s so beautiful. I highly recommend a winter visit.

Dutch Specialties

• Kerststol: A Dutch fruitcake filled with dried fruits and nuts.
• Pepernoten: Small cookies that are crunchy and typically enjoyed during the Sinterklaas season.
• Speculaas: Thin, crisp, spiced cookies often featuring windmill or Sinterklaas designs, made using a traditional wooden mould.
• Gourmetten: A popular Dutch holiday dining experience where guests cook their choice of meats, vegetables, and cheeses on a tabletop grill.
• Erwtensoep: A split pea soup often served with rye bread.
• Stamppot: A classic Dutch dish made from mashed potatoes mixed with various vegetables, like kale or sauerkraut, and served with smoked sausage.

Food at the Market

• Oliebollen: Deep-fried doughnut balls filled with raisins or currants, dusted with powdered sugar.
• Poffertjes: Small, fluffy Dutch pancakes topped with powdered sugar and butter.
• Stroopwafels: Thin waffles made from two layers and caramel filling, often served warm.
• Kibbeling: Deep-fried fish bites, typically made from cod, served with a mayonnaise-based sauce.
• Bitterballen: Deep-fried meatballs that are usually served with mustard sauce.
• Grilled sausages: Various types of grilled sausages, including the traditional Dutch smoked sausage called “rookworst.”
• Roasted Chestnuts: A winter classic.
• Frites (Dutch fries): Thick-cut chips served in a paper cone with a choice of dipping sauces, such as mayonnaise, ketchup, or curry sauce.
• Warm drinks: Hot chocolate, mulled wine (glühwein), and spiced apple cider are popular choices.

What to Buy

• Handmade crafts: Artisan-made ceramics, wood carvings, ornaments, and other unique handmade items.
• Dutch souvenirs: Wooden clogs, Delftware pottery, and windmill-themed items.
• Local delicacies: Dutch cheeses, such as Gouda and Edam, as well as traditional sweets like stroopwafels, chocolate, and licorice.
• Festive food: Jams, preserves and specialty condiments are nice stocking fillers.
• Dutch art: Prints by artists like Van Gogh and Vermeer and original local artwork.
• Knitwear: Warm and cosy scarves, gloves, hats and socks.
• Decorations: Unique and festive ornaments, tree toppers, and holiday-themed decorations.
• Eco-friendly products: Locally sourced or upcycled items that promote environmental consciousness while being attractive and functional gifts.
• Toys and games: Traditional Dutch toys, puzzles and board games for children and adults.

Responsible Travel Tips

• Shop mindfully: Focus on purchasing items you genuinely need or making meaningful gifts, supporting local artisans and businesses.
• Transportation: Walk, cycle, or use public transport to get around.
• Eco-friendly hotel: Stay in places powered by renewable energy and follow sustainable practices.
• Support local housing: Book a hotel over short-stay apartments to avoid contributing to the lack of affordable housing.
• Minimise plastic use: Avoid using single-use plastics and avoid purchasing items made or packaged with plastic.
• Local, organic cuisine: Whenever possible, choose to eat locally sourced and organic food, supporting local producers.
• Limit meat and dairy consumption: Enjoy plant-based or vegetarian meals, reducing the environmental impact of your diet. Amsterdam is known for its huge selection of plant-based eateries.
• Venture beyond tourist hotspots: Explore more than just the main attractions, discovering local neighbourhoods like the Jordaan district.
• Support the arts: Attend local events, performances, galleries and exhibitions.
• Focus on quality over quantity: Instead of rushing from one destination to another, visit fewer places but spend more time at each, enabling deeper connections and understanding.

Comment below if you want to leave a Xmas review, have any questions or would like to report any inaccuracies.

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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. This post contains affiliate links to hotels and tours in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This means I get a small commission from any bookings at no extra cost to you.