Weelde’s Winter Warenmarkt is a notable feature of Rotterdam’s Christmas season, providing local entrepreneurs with the platform to showcase and sell their products. You’ll find a selection of unique goods, ranging from creative inventions to second-hand items. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
About 70 exhibitors are present, including those focused on art, design, interior, vintage clothing and vinyl, making it a destination for those seeking an original Christmas present, new sneakers, a tattoo, or simply a place to enjoy mulled wine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to the shopping experience, the market also caters to the culinary needs of its visitors. You can indulge in a winter meal crafted by Weelde’s chef Jona Haile, or enjoy snacks, lemonades, cocktails and wines provided by restaurant Kumzits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Various Rotterdam DJs and residents perform every weekend to complement the lively atmosphere, adding a musical dimension to the shopping and dining experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nWeelde Christmas Market dates:<\/strong> Weedends from 2nd to 7th December 2024 (unconfirmed). Location:<\/strong> Marconistraat 39, Rotterdam. Opening times:<\/strong> 12pm to 5pm.Admission:<\/strong> \u20ac3 tickets, available at the door.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nChristmas in Rotterdam<\/h2>\n\n\n\nRegional Specialties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Oliebollen:<\/strong> Deep-fried dough balls dusted with powdered sugar, oliebollen are a Dutch Christmas tradition you shouldn’t miss. The dough often contains raisins or currants, giving the snack a sweet twist. A vegetarian delight, they’re a bit like doughnuts but unique in their own right.<\/p>\n\n\n\nKerststol:<\/strong> A large fruit loaf dusted with icing sugar, kerststol is enjoyed around Christmas time. This festive bread contains a mix of dried fruits and nuts with an almond paste or marzipan centre. It’s often served sliced and spread with butter.<\/p>\n\n\n\nErwtensoep:<\/strong> As the colder months set in, the Dutch enjoy their version of pea soup, erwtensoep. This thick, hearty soup, made with split peas, various cuts of pork and vegetables like celery, onions, leeks, and carrots, is a staple on Dutch winter menus. Vegetarian versions substitute the meat with more vegetables, creating a similarly comforting dish.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSpeculaas cookies:<\/strong> These thin, crunchy biscuits are a delightful part of the Dutch holiday season. With their unique mix of spices – including nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and cardamom – speculaas cookies are as aromatic as they are delicious. They often come in festive shapes and sizes, making them fun as well as tasty.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGourmetten:<\/strong> While not a food itself, Gourmetten is a popular Dutch Christmas meal tradition. It involves cooking miniature versions of meat, fish, and vegetables on a tabletop grill or hotplate right at the dinner table. With a selection of vegetarian options, it’s an interactive, convivial way to enjoy a holiday meal with family or friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBanketstaaf:<\/strong> A sweet pastry log filled with an almond paste centre, banketstaaf is a traditional Christmas dessert in the Netherlands. The puff pastry wrapping is often shaped into a letter, symbolising the initial of a family’s last name. With its light, flaky exterior and sweet, rich filling, banketstaaf is the perfect end to a Dutch Christmas meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFood at the Stalls<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Poffertjes:<\/strong> Tiny, fluffy pancakes are common at the Rotterdam Christmas Market. Poffertjes are traditionally served warm with a generous dusting of powdered sugar and a pat of butter that melts into the crevices of these sweet treats. Their light texture and subtle sweetness make them a beloved snack among locals and visitors alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBitterballen:<\/strong> These are crispy, deep-fried balls filled with a creamy mixture of minced beef or veal, broth, flour, butter, and herbs. Bitterballen is a classic Dutch snack typically served with mustard for dipping. Even though they are a year-round treat, their warmth and richness make them particularly enjoyable during the festive season.<\/p>\n\n\n\nStroopwafels:<\/strong> Found in many Dutch markets, stroopwafels are another favourite. These consist of two thin waffles stuck together with a layer of sweet syrup. At the Christmas market in Rotterdam, they’re often made fresh on the spot, resulting in a warm, gooey treat that’s hard to resist.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGl\u00fchwein:<\/strong> While not exclusive to Rotterdam, gl\u00fchwein or mulled wine is a staple at European Christmas markets. This hot drink is prepared from red wine, heated and spiced with ingredients such as cloves, star anise, citrus, and sugar. It’s the perfect drink to warm your hands and spirit as you wander the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBratwurst:<\/strong> As a nod to the international influences at the market, you’ll find stalls selling bratwurst. This German sausage is a classic Christmas market food, often served in a bun with mustard or ketchup. Its smoky, hearty flavour makes it a satisfying snack in the chilly winter weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRoasted Chestnuts:<\/strong> Roasted chestnuts are Another international favourite at the Winter Fair. The nutty aroma of these treats roasting is a signature scent of Christmas markets worldwide. They’re a delight to eat, warm, sweet and slightly smoky as you browse the market stalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat to Buy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Dutch Cheese:<\/strong> Holland is famous for its cheese, and Rotterdam’s Christmas markets are a great place to purchase some. You can find a variety of Dutch cheeses, from the smooth, mild Gouda to the nutty, hard-aged varieties. These cheeses make for a great gift or a delicious treat to take home.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHandmade Crafts:<\/strong> Many stalls at the Christmas market showcase local artists and their beautiful, handmade crafts. These range from intricately carved wooden items and decorative glasswork to unique jewellery pieces. Buying from these stalls not only supports local artisans but also gives you a chance to own or gift something truly one-of-a-kind.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDutch Gin (Jenever):<\/strong> Jenever, a traditional Dutch spirit akin to gin, is often available at the Winter Fair and Christmas markets. Its unique flavour derived from juniper berries makes it a warm, festive beverage that also makes a distinctive gift.<\/p>\n\n\n\nClog Slippers:<\/strong> A fun, typically Dutch gift item you can find at the Rotterdam Christmas Market is a pair of clog slippers. These are soft, comfortable shoes designed to look like traditional Dutch wooden clogs. They’re a quirky and fun gift idea, bringing a touch of Dutch tradition into a practical item.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDutch Sweets and Biscuits:<\/strong> Stalls often sell traditional Dutch sweets and biscuits, such as speculaas cookies, stroopwafels, or Dutch licorice known as Drop. These treats are usually beautifully packaged, making them an easy and delightful gift to take back home.<\/p>\n\n\n\nChristmas Ornaments:<\/strong> Plenty of stalls offer an array of Christmas ornaments, many of which reflect Dutch traditions and motifs. Hand-painted baubles, wooden ornaments, and decorative Dutch houses are just some of the treasures you can find to adorn your Christmas tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFor valuable insights and handy tips tailored to enhance your city visit, I recommend exploring Rotterdam Info, an incredibly useful resource for every traveller. You could start with this list of attractions in Rotterdam<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSustainability Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Use of Renewable Energy:<\/strong> Rotterdam leads in green energy solutions, so take advantage of this by choosing accommodation that uses renewable energy sources, such as the Supernova Hotel. <\/p>\n\n\n\nReducing Food Waste:<\/strong> When indulging in the delicious food at the Christmas market, try to order portions that you’re sure you can finish to prevent food waste. Many food stalls in Rotterdam are also adopting sustainable practices, including composting organic waste, so supporting these vendors can contribute to less waste overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\nEthical Consumption:<\/strong> When shopping at the Christmas market, consider the impact of your purchases. Aim to buy from local artisans who make their products sustainably and ethically. For instance, many Rotterdam crafters create beautiful, unique items using recycled or upcycled materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSustainable Diets:<\/strong> The Netherlands is known for its plant-based cuisine, so consider trying some vegetarian or vegan options when dining in Rotterdam. Many stalls at the Christmas market offer delicious plant-based foods, such as the popular Dutch snack, ‘bitterballen’, in a vegan version.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSustainable Transport:<\/strong> Reduce your carbon footprint by making use of Rotterdam’s excellent public transport system instead of renting a car. The city has an extensive network of trams, buses and metro lines that can take you almost anywhere you want to go. Plus, cycling is very popular in Rotterdam, and there are plenty of places to rent a bike if you want to explore the city in a truly Dutch way.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you would like to leave a review of Rotterdam Xmas Market, comment below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. This post contains affiliate links to hotels and tours in Rotterdam, Netherlands. This means I get a small commission from any bookings at no extra cost to you.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Rotterdam is one of the Netherlands most interesting cities, with its modern architecture, seafaring history and vibrant cultural scene. Rotterdam Christmas Market comprises several smaller events, each adding to the overall festive atmosphere of the season. In this guide, I’ll provide you with all the essential details, such as the unconfirmed 2024 dates, opening times,…<\/p>\n
Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":13210,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nRotterdam Christmas Market 2024 - Winter Fair at Ahoy<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n