10x The best Christmas markets in the Netherlands

Twinkling lights, Christmas trees and beautiful decorations! From 14 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, Valkenburg will once again be transformed into a magical Christmas town. You can enjoy the christmas atmosphere not only above ground, but also in the caves. A visit to Christmas Town Valkenburg is not complete without a visit to the Fluweelengrot! Be enchanted by the light route from 14 November to 30 December 2025, stroll past the many Christmas stalls and feast on the endless delicacies.

Important: plan your visit in advance! Book your tickets for the Fluweelengrot via the website. The Christmas market in cave is wheelchair accessible!

📍 Tip: stay the night at Stayokay Maastricht

The 10th edition of the Royal Christmas Fair will take place in the historic centre of The Hague from 4 to 23 December 2025, and we can't wait! The Lange Voorhout will be completely transformed into a Christmas wonderland with cosy Christmas houses, bonfires, thousands of lights, mulled wine, delicious food and a visit from Santa Claus. There's also a programme full of Christmas choirs, storytellers, children's activities and musical performances. Dogs are allowed and admission is completely free. This Christmas market is definitely worth a visit!

📍 Tip: stay the night at Stayokay The Hague

Magical Maastricht is an atmospheric highlight of the festive season every year. From 28 November to 29 December 2025, the Vrijthof will be transformed into one of the Netherlands' most famous Christmas markets. Here you will find the most beautiful traditional gifts, handmade decorations and local delicacies. Put on your skates, because the Christmas market isn't complete without a lap around the covered ice rink! Have you always wanted to admire Maastricht from above? Now's your chance! From the giant Ferris wheel, you can count every single light in this Christmas city. Maastricht has never been so beautiful!

📍 Tip: stay the night at Stayokay Maastricht

The Dordrecht December Days are coming up again! From 12 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, Dordrecht will be transformed into a charming winter wonderland with lots of winter activities. Shop for the best Christmas gifts at the December Market on 13 and 14 December, stroll through the illuminated city centre with the Dwaalspoor light route (daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.), visit the cosy winter garden at the Grote Kerk with local delicacies, practise your skating skills on the ice rink or take an evening cruise and experience the December atmosphere from the water.

📍 Tip: stay the night at Stayokay Dordrecht

Every year in December, the city centre of Deventer transforms into the Dickens Festival. Experience the nostalgic atmosphere of Dickens' Victorian England during the weekend of 13 and 14 December 2025, complete with 950 characters from Charles Dickens' stories, towering Christmas trees, atmospheric lighting, the smell of roasted chestnuts and warm punch. Meet the infamous Ebenezer Scrooge, poor Oliver Twist, and sing along with the Christmas Carol Singers. Admission to the Dickens Festival is free!

📍 Tip: stay the night at Stayokay Gorssel

A magical start to your festive season in breathtaking surroundings, who wouldn't want that?! The Castle Christmas Fair is being held at Landgoed Duin & Kruidberg for the second year running. From 26 to 30 November 2025, this historic location will be transformed into a winter wonderland, where you can enjoy a unique Christmas experience. Stroll past atmospheric gift stalls, sample delicious delicacies and enjoy live entertainment. The historic atmosphere of the estate makes the fair a unique, magical experience for young and old alike.

Important: Order your tickets in advance via the website.

📍 Tip: stay the night at Stayokay Haarlem

This year, the winter months in Leiden will once again be all about the Winter Wonder Weeks! And of course, you will also find the Nostalgic Christmas Market in Leiden's most beautiful street: Hooglandse Kerkgracht. For seven days, from 12 to 14 November 2025 and 18 to 21 December 2025, you can enjoy cosy wooden stalls, pleasant winter terraces, food trucks and the ultimate Christmas atmosphere. Show off your skating skills on the Floating Ice Rink, experience old-fashioned fun at the Nostalgic Fair, or stroll through the illuminated streets.

📍 Tip: stay the night at Stayokay The Hague

Have you always wanted to take a look inside Gouda's St. Jan's Cathedral? Now's your chance! Step inside during the Winter Fair on 12 and 13 December 2025 and get ready for a day full of winter fun. Stroll past Christmas stalls and enjoy delicious snacks. On Friday, you can enjoy live musicians during the atmospheric Gouda by Candlelight. For the curious among us, the Winter Fair offers a unique way to experience the Christmas story, from treasure hunts to a mini exhibition. Admission is free, and every purchase supports charity!

📍 Tip: stay the night at Stayokay The Hague

The Christmas market in Haarlem is one of the largest in the Netherlands! From 12 to Sunday 14 December 2025, nearly 350 stalls spread across 12 locations in the city centre will be waiting for you with the best gifts and delicacies for the festive season. Christmas hits will be playing from the speakers and snert (pea soup) will be served with love. Find the cutest gifts and sing along with the Christmas choirs performing. Admission is free, and with the Christmas Market app, you'll have everything you need to plan the perfect winter day.

📍 Tip: stay the night at Stayokay Haarlem

This year, Spirit of Winter will last not four, but five days! From 12 to 16 November 2025, Soestdijk Palace will be transformed into a true winter wonderland. For five days, you can stroll past more than 160 Christmas stalls, enjoying the thousands of twinkling Christmas lights that make the estate shine in a magical Christmas atmosphere. From trendy home decorations to the most beautiful handmade products. Make your visit extra special with the “Spirit of Winter by Night” evenings and enjoy seasonal twilight shopping!

Important: order your ticket in advance via the website.

📍 Tip: stay the night at Stayokay Soest

Are you looking forward to the cosiest month of the year as much as we are? Then, in all the enthusiasm, don't forget to prepare well for a visit to one, or more, of these amazing markets. Pack thick and wear several layers, put on comfortable shoes, plan your route to perfection, maybe there will be another Christmas market on the way! That way you really won't miss anything. Feel like unwinding after the market? Continue the winter atmosphere in one of our 21 atmospheric hostels.

Go ice skating! We also collected the most special, fun or beautiful skating rinks in the Netherlands ⛸️