Amsterdam has several hugely popular Christmas including the Funky Xmas Market. This one-day Christmas market is an extension of the weekly Sunday market held at Westergas. It’s looking to be one of the biggest Christmas events in Amsterdam in 2023.
Funky Xmas Market 2023
The Sunday Market is well-loved in Amsterdam by locals and increasingly by visitors. It’s a fun and festive market that focuses on cultural connections through music, art and design, all celebrated while enjoying the spoils of international food trucks.
Funky Xmas Market dates: Likely date: 17th December 2023.
Opening time: 12 noon to 6pm.
Location: Westergas in Westergasfabriek at Westerpark.
How to get there: Westergas is a 30-minute walk from Amsterdam Centraal. Tram #3 stops close by and a number of buses stop at the door.
Reason to visit: A special event popular with locals. There are lots of cultural events, food trucks and handmade Christmas presents.
Where to stay: Mr Jordaan is relatively close to Westergas, but you would most likely need to get public transport to the Xmas market. I wouldn’t stay near Westergas as there isn’t much to do in that area.
Hotels near Funky Xmas Market
The best area to find hotels in Amsterdam is to stay in the historic city centre or near Museumplein, the Museum Quarter. Read the guide for recommendations for all budgets.
Location of Funky Xmas Market
What is a Funky Xmas?
The Westergasfabriek is a dynamic event space showcasing the best Dutch culture, music, and cuisine. With many events occurring throughout the year, one of the most popular happenings is the Sunday Market.
However, during the festive season, this market undergoes a transformation and becomes the Funky Xmas Market, an extraordinary celebration of cultural Christmas in Amsterdam.
The Funky Xmas Market, held at the Westergasfabriek, offers a unique and vibrant atmosphere to experience the holiday season.
With a diverse range of stalls and vendors, visitors can immerse themselves in a festive cheer while enjoying a variety of food trucks, fashion boutiques, vintage items, and exquisite artwork.
While some of the stalls may overlap with those found at the Sunday Market, the Funky Xmas Market takes on a whole new vibe.
The atmosphere is electric, with vibrant colours, twinkling lights, and excitement filling the air. The stalls are decorated in a festive manner, adding to the overall joyful ambience of the event.
Overall, the Funky Xmas Market at Westergasfabriek is a must-visit event for anyone looking to experience a unique cultural Christmas in Amsterdam. With its unique blend of Dutch food, music, and culture, this market is sure to be an unforgettable experience that visitors will cherish for years to come.
What to Expect
The Funky Xmas Market at Westergasfabriek is an exciting event that attracts visitors from all over the world. With its eclectic mix of stalls and vendors, this market has something for everyone.
Although the lineup of stalls is subject to change, visitors can expect to see a diverse range of vendors, each offering its unique products and services at the 17th December event.
One of the stalls that visitors may encounter at the market is Beewise, a company that sells sustainable and organic beeswax products. They offer a range of products, including beeswax wraps, candles, and skincare.
Coffee on the Roll is another popular vendor that visitors can look forward to seeing at the Funky Xmas Market. They serve high-quality coffee from their vintage Citroen H van, which is guaranteed to provide a unique coffee experience.
For music lovers, Eargasm Music offers a selection of vinyl records and turntables. Their stall is a must-visit for those looking to add some new records to their collection.
Jansen Vintage is another stall that visitors should keep an eye out for. They specialize in vintage clothing and accessories, offering visitors a chance to add some unique pieces to their wardrobe.
Foodies will be delighted to see Loveloempia, a vendor that offers delicious homemade Indonesian snacks. Visitors can enjoy traditional dishes like satay, spring rolls, and dumplings.
Lucignolo Limoncello offers a range of handmade limoncello liqueurs, each made with high-quality ingredients. Their stall is the perfect place to sample some of the best limoncello in Amsterdam.
Pieman Bakery is a vendor that specializes in traditional British pies. Visitors can choose from a range of savoury and sweet pies, including steak and ale, chicken and mushroom, and apple crumble.
For a taste of Japanese cuisine, visitors can check out Takoyaki Ya, a vendor that serves Takoyaki, a popular Japanese street food made from batter, octopus, and various toppings.
The Churros Company is another food vendor that visitors won’t want to miss. They offer delicious churros, which are deep-fried dough pastries sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon.
The Hot Dog Factory is a vendor that serves up a range of delicious hot dogs. Visitors can choose from classic flavours like ketchup and mustard or try something a little different, like a hot dog with jalapenos and cheese.
Lastly, YogicTouch offers visitors a chance to relax and unwind with their yoga mats, meditation cushions, and other accessories. Their stall is the perfect place to pick up some unique gifts for yoga enthusiasts.
Overall, the Funky Xmas Market at Westergasfabriek offers visitors a chance to experience the holiday season in a unique and exciting way. With its diverse range of stalls and vendors, this market is a must-visit for anyone looking to add some festive cheer to their holiday season.
If you are spending time in the Netherlands, read my guide to Amsterdam Christmas Market to get ideas on things to do this December.
Responsible Christmas Tips
The choices we make have an environmental and social impact on the places we visit. When visiting the Christmas markets, keeping sustainability in mind is important.
Implement some or all of these simple measures to create a positive impact.
- Shop mindfully. Only purchase what you really need.
- Walk, cycle and use public transport to get around.
- Stay in a sustainable hotel powered by renewable energy.
- Stay in hotels. Short-stay apartment accommodation can lead to a lack of affordable housing for locals.
- Avoid using plastic or buying items made or packaged with plastic.
- Try to eat locally sourced organic food where possible.
- Limit your consumption of meat and dairy.
- Be open to diverse cultures and experiences.
- Explore more than just the main tourist areas.
- Support the arts and attend local events.
- Visit fewer places but stay longer at each destination.
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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.
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