The days are getting shorter, temperatures are dropping, and Christmas lights are starting to appear everywhere. That can only mean one thing: Christmas market season is almost here!
We've selected the 5 most unique Christmas markets to visit THIS festive season, including dates, locations, highlights, and useful tips to help you plan your winter adventures.
Imagine shopping for Christmas gifts inside a cave! That's exactly what makes Christmas Town Valkenburg one of the most unique Christmas destinations in Europe.
Dates: 13 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
Location: Valkenburg, South Limburg
Must-Dos:
Underground Market: Wander through the Municipal Cave and Velvet Cave to find the largest underground Christmas market in Europe!
Date: 13 November - 30 December
Location:
Municipal Cave: Cauberg 4, 6301 BT Valkenburg aan de Geul
Velvet Cave: Daalhemerweg 27 6301 BJ Valkenburg
Opening hours: weekdays (11:00 - 19:00) and weekends (10:00 - 19:00)
Ticket price: from €9.30
Approximate duration: 1-1.5 hour/cave
Tasty Treats: Warm up with Limburg’s traditional vlaai pie!
Charles Dickens' 19th-century English city comes to life with over 950 characters stepping straight out of his novels.
Dates: 12 December – 13 December 2026
Location: Bergkwartier, Deventer (access via Keizerstraat, near Hotel Finch)
Opening Hours: 10:00-17:00
Ticket price: €7.50
Must-Dos:
Spot Iconic Dickens Characters: Watch for live portrayals of figures like Scrooge, Oliver Twist, Jacob Marley, the Artful Dodger, and Queen Victoria in her parade
Peek into Victorian Windows: Look closely as local residents open their historic windows to display live scenes, from tea parties and Victorian family living rooms to small theatrical trials.
Visit the Bergkerk & Bergkerkplein: Experience children's plays and musical performances recreating scenes from "A Christmas Carol" right around the church square.
Warm Up with Traditional Food & Drink: Grab English and winter treats from rustic wooden stalls, including roasted chestnuts, hot spiced waffles, sausage rolls, mince pies, pea soup, and mulled wine or hot cider
Set directly on the city's historic canals, this is the only floating Christmas market in the Netherlands. The Leiden Christmas Market (Leidse Kerstmarkt) is part of the annual Winter Wonder Weeks.
Dates: 11 - 13 December and 17 - 20 December 2026
Location: centred around the Hooglandse Kerkgracht, the Hooglandse Kerkplein, and the Nieuwstraat
Opening Hours: 11 - 12 December (12:00 - 21:00), 13 December (13:00 - 21:00), 17 - 19 December (12:00-21:00), 20 December (13:00 - 18:00)
Must-dos:
Stroll the Chalet Village: Explore the wooden market chalets set up alongside the historic Hooglandse Church, featuring artisan crafts, holiday decorations, and unique gifts.
Warm Up with Holiday Treats: Grab hot glühwein (mulled wine), warm chocomel (hot chocolate), or classic seasonal snacks like churros, bratwurst, and poffertjes from the local food trucks and terraces.
Skate on the Floating Ice Rink: Nearby the market, you can hit the ice on the Nieuwe Rijn floating ice-skating rink for €9,50 per person including skate rentals.
Take a Christmas Canal Cruise: Join a festive boat tour departing from the Oude Rijn / Kerkbrug area that includes a warm drink as you glide past the illuminated city bridges.
Hosted periodically through the season at local spots like the Danish Seamen's Church and community centers in Rotterdam, these offer authentic Nordic hygge atmosphere, traditional glögg/glühwein, kanelbullar (cinnamon buns), and handmade Scandinavian crafts.
Dates: 13 - 22 November 2026
Location: Danish Seamen's Church, Rotterdam
Opening Hours: 13 November (12:00 - 20:00), 14 - 15 November (11:00 - 17:00), 20 November (12:00 - 20:00), 21 November (11:00 - 20:00), and 22 November (11:00 - 17:00)
Must-Dos:
Savor Danish Food & Treats:
Try æbleskiver (traditional Danish mini pancake balls served with jam and powdered sugar).
Order open-faced smørrebrød topped with options like salmon, eggs, leverpostej (pate), or rullepølse.
Warm up with traditional spiced gløgg (mulled wine) or grab a Danish hotdog.
Indulge in classic bakery items and cakes like citronmåne and hindbærsnitte, plus a selection of Danish candy and liquorice.
Shop Scandinavian Goods: Browse stalls for handmade Christmas ornaments, traditional handicrafts, home decor, and authentic Danish design items. Pick up imported specialty food products, cookies, and holiday groceries.
Explore Nearby Nordic Markets: While in the area, check out the nearby Norwegian Seamen's Church (Westzeedijk 300), which often hosts its own companion Scandinavian holiday market around the same dates.
Housed inside a former multi-story fish factory near the harbor, this indoor destination spans multiple levels packed with themed holiday decorations, trees, and gifts.
Dates: from 15 December 2026
Location: Dr. Lelykade 188, 2583CN, The Hague
Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday (10:00 - 18:00)
Must-dos:
Explore the Multi-Level Holiday Maze: Wander through the extensive rooms, attics, and themed zones packed across multiple storeys filled with thousands of ornaments, lights, and garlands.
Hunt for Iconic Nutcrackers: Admire and collect the large assortment of traditional nutcrackers and character-themed displays (including Disney and animated figures).
Soak in the Harbour Ambiance: Combine your shopping trip with a walk around the scenic Scheveningen harbor.
Enjoy Harbourfront Dining: Grab lunch, fresh fish, or warm drinks at nearby local harbor spots like De Dagvisser (a renowned local seafood restaurant) or Oma Toos within short walking distance
From underground caves to Victorian streets and Scandinavian traditions, the Netherlands has plenty of unique ways to celebrate Christmas! So grab your friends, put on your warmest winter coat, and start exploring these festive spots.
