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THE HAGUE – October 4, 2026 | The Dutch Daily
Christmas markets Netherlands 2026: the season starts in Valkenburg on 13 November and runs until 3 January 2027. The busiest weekend is 11–13 December 2026, when Haarlem, Dordrecht, Arnhem, Groningen, Gouda and Deventer all hold their Christmas events. Below are nine Christmas markets and winter events, with their 2026 dates checked on each organiser’s own website.
Christmas markets 2026 at a glance
| Place | Event | Dates 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Valkenburg | Kerststad Valkenburg | 13 November 2026 – 3 January 2027 |
| Maastricht | Magisch Maastricht | 27 November – 27 December |
| The Hague | Royal Christmas Fair | 3 – 23 December |
| Dordrecht | Decembermarkt (Dordtse Decemberdagen) | 10 – 13 December |
| Haarlem | Kerstmarkt Haarlem | 11 – 13 December |
| Arnhem | KerstKelders | 11 – 13 December |
| Groningen | WinterWelVaart | 11 – 13 December |
| Gouda | Gouda bij Kaarslicht | 11 December |
| Deventer | Dickens Festijn | 12 – 13 December |
Christmas markets 2026: contents
- 1. Kerststad Valkenburg
- 2. Magisch Maastricht
- 3. Royal Christmas Fair, The Hague
- 4. Decembermarkt, Dordrecht
- 5. Kerstmarkt Haarlem
- 6. KerstKelders, Arnhem
- 7. WinterWelVaart, Groningen
- 8. Gouda bij Kaarslicht
- 9. Dickens Festijn, Deventer
- 10. Tips for visiting
- 11. FAQ
- 🇳🇱 Dutch Corner: Christmas words
- Sources
1. Kerststad Valkenburg
When: 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Valkenburg in South Limburg turns itself into “Kerststad” (Christmas town) for more than seven weeks, the longest run on this list and the first to open. Check kerststadvalkenburg.nl for tickets and the programme.
2. Magisch Maastricht
When: 27 November to 27 December.
Visit Maastricht describes Magisch Maastricht as a winter programme with Christmas markets and lights, including Magisch Maastricht Vrijthof. Valkenburg is close by, so the two combine well in one trip. Information: visitmaastricht.com.
3. Royal Christmas Fair, The Hague
When: 3 to 23 December 2026, daily from 12:00 to 21:00.
Where: Lange Voorhout, in the historic centre of The Hague.
2026 is the eleventh edition. Details: royalchristmasfair.nl.
4. Decembermarkt, Dordrecht
When: Thursday 10 to Sunday 13 December.
Opening hours: Thursday 12:00–20:00, Friday 12:00–22:00, Saturday 10:00–22:00, Sunday 12:00–20:00.
Where: Grotekerksbuurt and Groenmarkt, with music on the Stadhuisplein at the weekend.
The market is part of the wider Dordtse Decemberdagen, which run from 10 December to 3 January with lights, an ice rink and events in the old city. See dordtsedecemberdagen.nl.
5. Kerstmarkt Haarlem
When: 11, 12 and 13 December, in Haarlem’s city centre.
Centrum Haarlem has announced the traditional Haarlem Christmas market for these dates; check their website closer to the date for the exact locations and opening hours: centrum-haarlem.nl.
6. KerstKelders, Arnhem
When: Friday 11 to Sunday 13 December 2026.
A Christmas market inside Arnhem’s historic cellars, open to the public on these three days only. Details: kerstkelders.nl.
7. WinterWelVaart, Groningen
When: Friday 11 to Sunday 13 December.
Market hours: Friday and Saturday 12:00–22:00, Sunday 12:00–20:00.
During the WinterWelVaart weekend the event connects with Winterstad on the Grote Markt, with a winter market in the city centre. Details: winterwelvaart.nl.
8. Gouda bij Kaarslicht
When: Friday 11 December 2026.
Gouda’s candlelight evening centres on receiving the Christmas tree from Gouda’s Norwegian sister city, Kongsberg. Details: goudabijkaarslicht.nl.
9. Dickens Festijn, Deventer
When: Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December 2026.
Where: the Bergkwartier in Deventer, which turns into a 19th-century English town for the weekend.
Tickets: €7.50; children up to and including 7 years old go free. Details: dickensfestijn.nl.
10. Tips for visiting
- Pick a weekend: Haarlem, Dordrecht, Arnhem, Groningen and Deventer all fall on 11–13 December, so that weekend may be busy; plan your trip early. Valkenburg, Maastricht and The Hague run for several weeks, so you can go on a quieter weekday.
- Check before you travel: organisers can change times; always check the official website on the day.
- Plan your journey: look up trains and buses in the NS or 9292 app. If public transport strikes are announced in December, check our public transport strike updates.
- Order in Dutch: try Mag ik een glühwein? or Mag ik pinnen? (Can I pay by card?). See our basic Dutch phrases with audio.
Before Christmas comes Sinterklaas: see Sinterklaas 2026 for the arrival in Grave on 14 November and pakjesavond on 5 December.
11. FAQ
When do the Christmas markets in the Netherlands start in 2026?
The first is Kerststad Valkenburg on 13 November 2026. Magisch Maastricht follows on 27 November and the Royal Christmas Fair in The Hague on 3 December.
Which Dutch Christmas market lasts the longest?
Kerststad Valkenburg, from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
When is the Dickens Festijn in Deventer in 2026?
On Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December 2026. Tickets cost €7.50; children up to 7 go free.
When is the Christmas market in The Hague?
The Royal Christmas Fair on the Lange Voorhout runs from 3 to 23 December 2026, daily from 12:00 to 21:00.
Which weekend has the most Christmas markets?
11–13 December 2026: Haarlem, Dordrecht, Arnhem, Groningen, Gouda (11 December) and Deventer (12–13 December).
🇳🇱 Dutch Corner: Christmas words
| Dutch | Meaning |
|---|---|
| De kerstmarkt | Christmas market |
| De kerstboom | Christmas tree |
| Het kaarslicht | Candlelight |
| De kraam | Market stall |
| De glühwein | Mulled wine |
| De oliebol | Dutch doughnut ball |
| De ijsbaan | Ice rink |
| Fijne feestdagen! | Happy holidays! |
| Vrolijk kerstfeest! | Merry Christmas! |
| De openingstijden | Opening hours |
Sources
- Kerststad Valkenburg (kerststadvalkenburg.nl): 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
- Visit Maastricht: Magisch Maastricht, 27 November to 27 December.
- Royal Christmas Fair (royalchristmasfair.nl): 3 to 23 December 2026, Lange Voorhout, daily 12:00–21:00, eleventh edition.
- Dordtse Decemberdagen (dordtsedecemberdagen.nl): Decembermarkt 10–13 December with opening hours; Decemberdagen 10 December to 3 January.
- Centrum Haarlem: Kerstmarkt Haarlem 11, 12 and 13 December 2026.
- KerstKelders Arnhem (kerstkelders.nl): 11 to 13 December 2026.
- WinterWelVaart (winterwelvaart.nl): 11 to 13 December, market hours, link with Winterstad on the Grote Markt.
- Gouda bij Kaarslicht (goudabijkaarslicht.nl): 11 December 2026, tree from sister city Kongsberg.
- Dickens Festijn Deventer (dickensfestijn.nl): 12 and 13 December 2026, Bergkwartier, tickets €7.50, children up to 7 free.
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