Fun winter events in 2024 in the Netherlands
Knock knock… winter is just around the corner! Say hello to festive lights, cozy markets, ice skating and hot chocolate. Although we might prefer to stay indoors to avoid the cold, there are still a lot of fun winter activities and winter events in the Netherlands. With these 6 events you are guaranteed to get through the winter.
Atmospheric winter shopping at the most magical Christmas markets in the Netherlands
During the last months of the year, many cities in the Netherlands transform into atmospheric Christmas paradises. Streets and squares are full of stalls where you can enjoy hot drinks, cozy lights and shop for unique Christmas gifts. Experience the coziness at one of these Christmas markets!
Christmas town Valkenburg
The Valkenburg Christmas market is perhaps one of the most special Christmas markets in the Netherlands. The market is located in the area of the Valkenburg caves, illuminated with thousands of twinkling lights. The Velvet Cave and the Municipal Cave are transformed into a true Christmas paradise where you can find Christmas decorations, handmade gifts and winter delicacies. Also enjoy the atmospheric Christmas parade with floats and dancers that fill the streets. Warm up during your visit with a delicious warm waffle or a bowl of steaming pea soup.
Date: November 15, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Location: Valkenburg
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Magical Maastricht
The Vrijthof in Maastricht will be transformed again this winter for the famous Magical Maastricht. The Christmas market in Maastricht is famous for its cozy atmosphere and beautiful decor with a Ferris wheel, cozy chalets and festively lit Christmas trees. Stock up on your Christmas presents for the holidays in the cozy center! There is also an ice rink where young and old can brave the winter cold, as well as a Ferris wheel that offers spectacular views over the city. End your day with a glass of mulled wine or hot chocolate while enjoying the cozy music and the enchanting atmosphere. Is a day in Maastricht too short? Then make it an overnight stay! Bastion Hotels happens to know another address ;)
Date: November 28 – December 30, 2024
Location: Vrijthof Maastricht
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Even more Christmas markets in the Netherlands
Can't get enough of all those Christmas markets or would you rather visit one near you? Click here to discover the most magical Christmas markets in the Netherlands and get inspired.
Christmas Market Haarlem
The Haarlem Christmas Market is one of the most atmospheric and largest Christmas markets in the Netherlands. Every year in December, the old city center of Haarlem is transformed into a fairytale Christmas city with countless stalls along the Grote Markt and in the side streets. The historic surroundings, with the beautiful Sint-Bavokerk and old facades in the background, provide a romantic Christmas atmosphere. Stroll along dozens of stalls full of Christmas items, artwork and jewelry. Haarlem is also known for its cozy terraces and cafes, where you can warm up with a snack and drink after your winter shopping adventure.
Date: December 13 – 15, 2024
Location: Haarlem
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Magical winter light shows
It's getting colder outside and the days are getting shorter, but in the Dutch cities it stays light for a long time! From November onwards, a number of cities are transformed into a true light festival full of colours, light installations and interactive artworks.
Amsterdam Light Festival
The Amsterdam Light Festival is without a doubt one of the most famous and largest light festivals in the Netherlands. The canals of Amsterdam become the stage for impressive light artworks created by artists from all over the world. This year, the beautiful creations are inspired by the theme ' Rituals' . Admire the artworks on, along and in the canals on foot or from the water. Do you prefer to walk? The walking route is approximately 7.5 kilometers. A digital map will show you along the artworks.
Date: November 28, 2024 – January 19, 2025
Location: Amsterdam
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GLOW Eindhoven
Light art in the city of innovation! Eindhoven is not called the city of light for nothing, because the city is known as the city of innovation and technology. During the GLOW Festival, this creativity is put in the spotlight. This annual light festival transforms the city into an open-air museum of light art, with this year's theme ' The Stream' . Various artists from home and abroad created interactive projects and light installations that illuminate the streets, squares and buildings of Eindhoven in a spectacular way. The walking route starts at Eindhoven Central Station and is approximately five kilometers long.
Date: November 9 – November 16, 2024
Location: Eindhoven
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The stars of the sky skating on winter squares
One of the most beloved winter activities in the Netherlands is ice skating. No natural ice this year? Don't worry, because atmospheric ice skating rinks are appearing on squares in large and small cities throughout the country.
Ice rink Rotterdam
Skating under the rainbow this winter? Yes, it is possible! The iconic ice rink in Rotterdam is a unique ice rink with a tunnel of no less than 400 meters with rainbow lighting. The ice rink at the Toepad is suitable for both beginners and experienced skaters. For families there is the Funbaan, perfect for the little ones and beginners. You can also enjoy cozy events such as the Santa Skate where you stand on the ice with as many Santas as possible while enjoying the best Christmas hits. You can also follow a skating clinic or play a game of curling! You can warm up in the accompanying winter café with hot snacks and drinks. Don't have skates yourself? You can rent them at Schaatsbaan Rotterdam.
Date: from November 23, 2024
Location: Schaatsbaan Rotterdam
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Photo: Rotterdam Centrum
Winter Village Laren
Ice skating in a fairytale village is possible at Winter Village Laren! This cute village is known every year for its cozy ice skating rink in the center. Surrounded by atmospheric lighting, you can swing and make pirouettes on the ice. The combination of a fairytale atmosphere and skating fun makes this a perfect place for a romantic evening or a family outing. You can not only skate here, but also stroll around the Christmas market or enjoy a winter barbecue at one of the surrounding restaurants.
Date: November 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Location: De Brink, Laren
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Photo: Winter Village Laren
Wintergoud in Groningen
Enjoy ice skating fun amidst historic buildings during Wintergoud in Groningen! Wintergoud is a magical destination in the city centre of Groningen full of lights, cosy stalls and of course an atmospheric ice rink on the Grote Markt. After a few laps on the ice, you can warm up with a delicious mulled wine at one of the winter stalls. In addition to ice skating, you can also walk around the Christmas market, enjoy live music performances and participate in workshops at Wintergoud.
Date: December 6, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Location: Grote Markt, Groningen
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Photo: Zoom.nl
A fairytale winter adventure at Winter Efteling
Experience a winter full of warmth and coziness in the Winter Efteling! The theme park changes into a fairytale winter landscape during the winter months. A true winter wonderland complete with snow, twinkling lights and a magical atmosphere. The attractions, from the enchanting Droomvlucht to the spectacular roller coasters such as the Baron 1898, get an extra touch of winter magic.
During the Winterefteling you can skate the sky of stars on the large indoor ice rink, slide down the cross-country ski track or warm up by a crackling fire with a hot chocolate. In addition, there are special winter shows, such as Raveleijn and the famous water show Aquanura. Don't forget to eat a delicious Unox sandwich, a real classic!
The Winter Efteling offers a magical experience for everyone. Whether you come for the exciting attractions or just want to enjoy the winter atmosphere.
Date: November 11, 2024 to January 26, 2025
Location: The Efteling, Kaatsheuvel
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Photo: Efteling
Winter festivals
To experience winter and ice fun, it doesn't have to be freezing outside and there doesn't have to be snow, because during the winter months the winter festivals come to life!
The Amsterdams Winterparadijs
The Amsterdam Winter Paradise is back in and around the RAI Amsterdam. Here you will find everything you would expect from a winter festival: a gigantic ice rink, cozy après-ski huts and even an indoor ski slope! There is also a beautiful Christmas village where you can stroll around while tasting winter snacks and scoring original gifts. The Amsterdam Winter Paradise is the ultimate winter experience with meters of ice and real snow. In the evening the festival comes to life with live music, DJs and performances by various artists.
Date: December 19, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Location: RAI Amsterdam
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Photo: Iamsterdam.com
Dutch Ice Sculpture Festival
Enter a magical world full of ice and snow sculptures of up to 6 meters high! The best international ice artists come to Biddinghuizen for the Ice Sculpture Festival to get to work with no less than 275,000 kilos of ice and 275,000 kilos of snow. This year's theme is ' An undiscovered world' , a world that is brought to life in ice and snow. The enormous hall where the festival takes place is cooled to -10 degrees, so that the works of art retain their beautiful shapes. Put on your thickest sweater and coat, discover the impressive works of art and enjoy a hot chocolate with whipped cream after this icy adventure.
Date: December 14, 2024 – March 2, 2025
Location: Flevo Nice, Biddinghuizen
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Photo: De Swollenaer
