The Maastricht Christmas Market takes place in the city’s historic centre from late November until the end of the year.
In this guide, I share all you need to know about visiting, including confirmed dates for 2024, opening times, locations and regional specialties.
Maastricht Christmas Market 2024
Dates – Confirmed
Maastricht Christmas Market dates: 28th November to 30th December 2024 (confirmed).
Update: Dates were announced in May. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.
Source: Dates are obtained directly from the event organiser’s website, available here.
Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Location: Vrijthof.
Opening times:
Market stalls: 10am to 10pm.
Food stalls:
Monday to Thursday: 10am to midnight.
Friday to Saturday: 10am to 1am.
Attractions: 10am to 11pm.
28th November: 12pm to midnight.
Christmas Eve: 10am to 6pm.
Christmas Day: 11am to 6pm.
Boxing Day: 11am to midnight.
Travel and Accommodation
Public transport: Bus stop: Vrijthof.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion. Q-Park Vrijthof is at the square and is barrier-free.
Where to stay: Cousins Boutique Hotel is a popular hotel located 4-minutes from the square.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Free.
Christmas lights: No switch on date announced.
Santa: No.
Ice skating: Yes. Book tickets online.
Reason to visit: The combination of traditional stalls and amusement rides.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Food specialities: Appelbeignet, Jan Hagel cookies and speculaas. Other food specialties are listed below.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, but dogs are not advised during busy periods.
Convenient Hotels
To stay in a convenient hotel, book a place within the historic city centre. I suggest staying at Cousins Boutique Hotel, which is in a great location near Vrijthof. But that’s just one of many nice hotels in the historic centre. Search to find somewhere that suits your style and budget.
Event Location
Captured a moment that embodies the holiday season? Tag your photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets — we can’t wait to see your festive finds!
What to Expect
Maastricht offers a range of food and drink, including Dutch treats like oliebollen, poffertjes, glühwein, and Dutch gin.
The market features artisanal crafts, gifts, and souvenirs from across the Netherlands. Beyond the market, explore Maastricht’s historic landmarks and cultural attractions.
Enjoy the 1000 sqm ice rink, curling, and the 45-metre Ferris wheel in the winter scenery.
Regional Specialties
- Kerststol: A bread made with raisins, currants and candied fruit, typically served with butter and jam.
- Banketstaaf: A long log-shaped pastry filled with almond paste, often accompanied by coffee or tea.
- Appelbeignets: Sliced apple doughnuts topped with powdered sugar or cinnamon.
- Vegetarian erwtensoep: Pea soup made with potatoes, carrots, onions and celeriac, often served with rye bread and mustard.
- Vegetarian kaasstengels: Crispy cheese sticks made with puff pastry and Gouda cheese.
At the Food Stalls
- Poffertjes: Tiny, fluffy pancakes dusted with powdered sugar. These are amazing!
- Oliebollen: Deep-fried dough balls dusted with powdered sugar, often filled with raisins and apples.
- Churros: Spanish-style pastry sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, served with dipping sauces (usually chocolate). They originate from Spain but are popular in the Netherlands.
- Bratwurst: Grilled German sausage served in a roll with sauerkraut and mustard.
- Stroopwafels: Thin, crispy waffle-like cookies filled with caramel syrup. A Dutch classic!
- Currywurst: German sausage smothered in curry ketchup and typically served with fries. It’s not traditional, but it’s always popular.
Sustainability Tips
- Transport: Use Maastricht’s cycling paths and pedestrian-friendly zones. Hire a bike or walk to enjoy the sights. Public transport options, such as buses and trains go everywhere. For longer journeys, electric car rental services are available.
- Eco-friendly Hotels: Book a hotel that uses renewable energy sources. Many in Maastricht use solar power and other green technologies.
- Locally Sourced Food and Products: Enjoy meals made with locally sourced, seasonal, and plant-based ingredients. Vegan and vegetarian dishes are common in the Netherlands.
- Ethical Consumption: Buy gifts and souvenirs from local artisans to support the local economy.
- Reduce Food Waste: Be mindful of portion sizes to avoid waste.
- Reusable Containers: Bring your own containers and bags when shopping to reduce single-use plastics.
- Eco-friendly Activities: Participate in eco-tours or visit green spaces like Stadspark and the surrounding nature reserves.
- Community Initiatives: Support local initiatives such as urban farming projects and community clean-up events for a unique travel experience.
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. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
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