If the dim daylight, the early dark and the general wetness of the season threaten your mood, Christmas markets in and around Rotterdam will definitely lift your spirits. The bright lights, homemade goods and Christmassy smells will tease you into enjoying the time leading up to Christmas.
Christmas markets have always been a vibrant part of the festive season in Rotterdam and its surroundings, offering a diverse and joyful experience. Let's explore some of the most enchanting Christmas markets you can visit in the area.
Markthal becomes “Kersthal” | 5-27 DEC 2026
On weekends throughout December, Markthal adds pop-up Christmas stalls, winter performers, choirs and Santa appearances. It is free.
Deliplein Winterplein | 6-21 DEC 2025
Residents and entrepreneurs of Katendrecht are embracing the Christmas spirit with the launch of the ‘Deliplein Winterplein. It’s a 16‑day community festival transforming Katendrecht’s Deliplein into a winter wonderland with free daily activities like light installations, children’s workshops, musical performances and winter mealsThe opening weekend usually includes light displays, popcorn popping, marshmallow roasting, and oliebollen. With a packed weekly programme, visitors can enjoy tree shopping, flea markets, pub quizzes, card tournaments, and dancing in the party tent, alongside workshops and clinics.
Christmas at Kula | 7 DEC 2025
Kerst bij Kula at Kula’s all-day café and yoga studio in Little C (Abraham Tuschinskistraat 54) turns the space into a small Christmas market on Sunday 7 December 2025, 10:00–17:00. Expect around eight stalls with mindful gifts, free entry, seasonal bites and warm drinks from the café, and a firepit outside for atmosphere.
Trompenburg Green Christmas Market | 11-13 DEC 2026
Trompenburg Tuinen & Arboretum has confirmed its Groene Kerstmarkt for Friday 11, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December 2026 at Honingerdijk 86. More than 60 stalls will feature local and sustainable businesses selling gifts, food, plants and Christmas greenery. The market is open Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00. Check Trompenburg’s visitor information for the applicable admission price.
The Maker Market — Christmas edition | 12-14 DEC 2025
From Friday 12 December to Sunday 14 December 2025, the courtyard of the iconic Groothandelsgebouw, right next to Rotterdam Central, transforms into a vibrant market filled with festive stalls. This special Christmas edition of The Maker Market promises unique gifts from talented artisans and creative entrepreneurs, alongside locally brewed beers and live music to set the holiday mood. The market offers more than sixty stalls with handmade gifts, printed art, jewellery, clothing and local food. There's also going to be workshops and children's activities like face painting and games. The Christmas edition at the Groot Handelsgebouw runs Fri 12 Dec 17:00–22:00, Sat 13 Dec 12:00–17:00 and Sun 14 Dec 12:00–17:00.
Rotterdamse Oogst Kerstmarkt | 12, 19 & 23 DEC 2026
Vintage aan de Maas Wintermarkt | 20 DEC 2026
Vintage aan de Maas returns to OASE, Schiehaven 15A, on Sunday 20 December 2026 from 11:00 to 17:00. The market focuses on pre-loved and upcycled fashion, design, furniture, vinyl, art and accessories. Admission is €3 at the door and payment is by card only; children under 12 enter free. OASE also combines the market with food, drinks and a changing programme of live music and workshops.
Winter aan de Maas | 21 December
Maassilo is running a full winter festival, and the winter market is explicitly part of the programme. The family programme runs from 11:00 to 19:00 with Juf Roos, a Frozen show, Santa, games, food and the market, before the venue switches to an evening programme. It is ticketed.
Waluw Vintage Market XXL‑Xmas Edition | 14 DEC 2025
The Christmas edition of the Waluw Vintage Market is one of the key holiday outings, expanding into multiple halls (Feestzaal, Jurriaanse Foyer and Willem Burger Hal) and transforms De Doelen into a vintage department store with mid‑century furniture, design items, fashion, vinyl and jewellery. There’s an open bar, food from Maher’s Kitchen and Petit Jean patisserie, plus music by DJ Richelle Soigni. The event takes place on Sunday 14 December 2025, from 10:00–16:00.
De Rotterdamse Kerstmarkt | Returning in 2026
De Rotterdamse Kerstmarkt is due to make its debut at the Oude Haven in December 2026. The organiser has confirmed the move to 2026 but has not yet published exact dates, opening hours or the final programme. Check the official site closer to December for the full announcement.
VELD_KERST Food & Art Kerstmarkt | 19 DEC 2025
In Rotterdam-Schiebroek, Food·Art·Hub De Veldkers is turning its shared workspace into a compact neighbourhood Christmas market. On Friday 19 December 2025, VELD_KERST Food & Art Kerstmarkt returns for its second edition at Veldkersweg 27, running from 15:00 to 20:00 with free entry. Expect a small but carefully curated mix of local makers and food entrepreneurs from the hub itself. Think winter pizzas and street food, craft beer, glühwein and hot drinks, alongside art prints, ceramics and handmade accessories. It is less a large commercial market and more an open studio evening with stalls, which makes it a relaxed option if you live in or near Schiebroek and want to support very local creatives.
Swan Market Christmas edition | 20 DEC 2026
Swan Market returns to Binnenrotte on Sunday 20 December 2026 from 11:00 to 17:00. Admission is free. Independent makers and small brands will sell jewellery, illustrations, clothing, homeware, accessories and gifts.
Do you run a business? RotterdamStyle is looking for a main sponsor. Get exclusive visibility across our website for a fixed fee. Interested? Contact us 🤝
Traditional Scandinavian & German Christmas Markets in Rotterdam
Norwegian Christmas Market | 12–15, 20–22 NOV 2026
The Norwegian Christmas Market returns to the Noorse Kultuurhuis at Westzeedijk 300. The 2026 edition opens on Thursday, 12 November from 10:00 to 19:00. It continues on Friday 13, Saturday 14, Sunday 15, Friday 20, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November, from 10:00 to 17:00.
Expect Norwegian sweaters, handmade decorations, festive food, coffee, waffles and a warm Nordic church-hall atmosphere. It is one of the most distinctive early Christmas markets in Rotterdam and a good place to begin your seasonal shopping before December gets crowded.
Danish Christmas Market | 13 to 15 and 20 to 22 NOV 2026
The Danish Seamen’s Church at Coolhaven 1 has confirmed its Julemarked for two weekends in November 2026: Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November and Friday 20 to Sunday 22 November.
Opening hours still need to be announced, so check the church calendar before you go. Based on previous editions, you can expect Danish food, design, decorations, baked goods, drinks and plenty of hygge in and around the church.
Swedish Christmas Market | 27-28 NOV 2026
The Swedish-Dutch Association confirms the Rotterdam Christmas market at the Scottish Church on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 November 2026. The association describes it as the annual Swedish Christmas market with Swedish food, baked goods, gifts and products.
Finnish Christmas Market | Pending 2026 dates
Finnish Christmas Market (Joulumarkkinat) at the Finnish Seamen’s Church (Finse Huis), ’s-Gravendijkwal 64, runs over two long weekends: Thu 13–Sun 16 November and Thu 20–Sun 23 November 2025. Opening hours are Thu–Fri 12:00–19:00; Sat 12:00–18:00; Sun 12:00–16:00. Expect Finnish pastries, coffee, savouries and seasonal gifts in a friendly community setting; check the organiser’s channels for any last-minute changes.
German Christmas Market, Deutsche Evangelische Gemeinde | 29 NOV 2025
The traditional German Christmas market at the German Evangelical Church is confirmed for Saturday 29 November 2025, at ’s-Gravendijkwal 65 in Delfshaven, with free admission.
Inside the church and community rooms you will find a compact, very German line-up: Stollen and Lebkuchen, home-baked cakes, sausages from the grill, soups and Glühwein, plus stalls with Advent wreaths, handicrafts, Christmas decorations and a lottery table. There is a craft corner and waffles for children, and much of the work is done by volunteers from the congregation. If you are interested in a low-key, church-hall style market with an authentic German flavour rather than a large outdoor fair, this is the one to keep in your Rotterdam list.
Do you run a business? RotterdamStyle is looking for a main sponsor. Get exclusive visibility across our website for a fixed fee. Interested? Contact us 🤝
Day‑trip Christmas markets near Rotterdam
WinterFeest Barendrecht | 12 DEC 2026
WinterFeest Barendrecht returns on Saturday 12 December 2026. The event traditionally combines a winter market with entertainment and activities in central Barendrecht. The detailed 2026 programme has not yet been published, so check the organiser’s channels closer to December.
Kerst in S'DAM | 12 DEC 2026
Schiedam’s historic centre celebrates Kerst in S'DAM on Saturday 12 December 2026 from 11:00 to 18:00. The programme combines Christmas markets, Dickens Festijn, Kaarsjesavond and the lighting of the city’s large Christmas tree. Dickens Festijn brings costumed characters, choirs, theatre and music to the historic centre, with a Christmas market along the Dam and Lange Haven.
Warme Wintermarkt Gouda | 11 DEC 2026
Warme Wintermarkt returns to GoudAsfalt on Friday 11 December 2026. The municipality has confirmed the date, although detailed opening hours and the full programme have not yet been published.
Royal Christmas Fair The Hague | 3–23 DEC 2026
Not in Rotterdam, but easy enough for a day trip: the Royal Christmas Fair returns to Lange Voorhout in The Hague from 3 to 23 December 2026. The fair is open daily from 12:00 to 21:00 and admission is free. Expect dozens of Christmas houses, thousands of lights, mulled wine, fires, choirs, storytellers, children’s activities, musical performances and regular visits from Santa Claus.
Gouda by Candlelight (Gouda) | 11 DEC 2026
The 71st Gouda bij Kaarslicht takes place on Friday 11 December 2026. The main ceremony begins at 19:00. Because the historic town hall is under renovation, the Christmas tree and ceremony will be repositioned on the Markt with De Waag as the focal point.
Winterfair Gouda | 11-12 DEC 2026
This is a market inside the Goudse Sint-Jan. It runs on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 December, with numerous stands, a food square and music, and entry to the church is free.
Delft Verlicht & Lichtjesavond | 8 DEC 2026 – 3 JAN 2027
Delft Verlicht begins on Tuesday 8 December 2026 and continues until Sunday 3 January 2027.
The opening night is the 29th Lichtjesavond, when the historic centre marks the start of Delft's winter season. Across the wider Delft Verlicht period you can expect illuminated streets and a programme of music, theatre, shopping and winter activities.
The detailed 2026 programme is still being filled in, so check the official Delft calendar as December approaches.
Dordtse Decemberdagen (Dordrecht) | 10 DEC 2026–3 JAN 2027
Dordtse Decemberdagen begins on Thursday 10 December 2026 and runs until Sunday 3 January 2027.
Its Decembermarkt around the Grote Kerk, Grotekerksbuurt and Groenmarkt has already confirmed four days:
Thursday 10 December, 12:00 to 20:00
Friday 11 December, 12:00 to 22:00
Saturday 12 December, 10:00 to 22:00
Sunday 13 December, 12:00 to 20:00
Wooden chalets, gifts, winter food and music form part of the market, while the wider Dordtse Decemberdagen programme spreads festive activities across the historic city centre.
One distinction is worth remembering: this is the current Decembermarkt connected to Dordtse Decemberdagen. Dordrecht's former large-scale Kerstmarkt ended in 2019.
Nostalgic Christmas Market, Leiden | 11-13 & 17-20 DEC 2026
Leiden’s Nostalgische Kerstmarkt returns for seven days around Hooglandse Kerkgracht, Hooglandse Kerkplein, Nieuwstraat and the Burcht. It is open 12:00 to 21:00 on 11 and 12 December, 13:00 to 21:00 on 13 December, 12:00 to 21:00 from 17 to 19 December, and 13:00 to 18:00 on 20 December.
WinterFair Zwijndrecht | 10-12 DEC 2026
Winterfair Zwijndrecht returns to Raadhuisplein from Thursday 10 to Saturday 12 December 2026. The main Christmas market is planned for Saturday 12 December, from 10:00 to 18:00. The organisation says the 2026 market will be larger, with room for around 80 stalls. Expect gifts, decorations, food trucks, performances and family-friendly activities around the heated hall and winter fairground setting
Kerstmarkt Delft | 19 DEC 2026
This is a proper market, confirmed for Saturday 19 December from 11:00 to 19:00, and the municipality has already issued the event permit.
Kerstmarkt Spijkenisse | 19 DEC 2026
A Christmas market is scheduled in Spijkenisse on Saturday 19 December 2026 from 11:00 to 18:00. The local Kerstmarkt Spijkenisse organisation is preparing its 2026 edition but has not yet published the full visitor programme, so check the final details closer to December.
Kerst in Brielle | 18-20 DEC 2026
Another proper market your guide does not currently mention. The Christmas market fills Sint-Catharijnekerk for three days: 12:00 to 18:00 Friday, 10:00 to 17:00 Saturday and 12:00 to 17:00 Sunday. The wider historic centre gets choirs, entertainment, a Christmas tram and other activities. Brielle is a slightly longer trip, but it fits the “around Rotterdam” remit well.
Dickens Christmas Fair Vlaardingen | 19 DEC 2026
This is confirmed for the Van Hogendorpkwartier from 11:00 to 16:00, with market stalls selling gifts, decorations, food, jewellery, ceramics and other festive goods.
Winter & Christmas Market Rhoon | 13-14 DEC 2025
Winter Market Poortugaal | 29 NOV 2025
This festive event will feature an indoor Christmas market at the Brinkhoeve, with an indoor market, amaryllis sale and various children’s activities. This village market usually includes outdoor and indoor stalls, Dickens‑style entertainment, children’s attractions (e.g., a Christmas elf for photos) and visits from Sinterklaas and Pieten.
Do you run a business? RotterdamStyle is looking for a main sponsor. Get exclusive visibility across our website for a fixed fee. Interested? Contact us 🤝
Not yet confirmed for 2026, but newly announced in late 2025 and worth mentioning
- The Christmas Loft
- Schie Blok Market
- Tussen Kunst & Kerst
- Overschie bij Kaarslicht
- De Rotterdamse Kerstbomen
Still to be announced:
It is still unclear if these events are happening in 2026:
Charloise Winterfair
Join the cosy Charloisse Winterfair on Saturday, 14 December, from 11:30 to 19:00 at the field on Charloisse Kerksingel. The whole market is covered with tents, so you can stay warm and dry even if the weather isn’t ideal, surrounded by festive lights and decorations. Expect a variety of stalls, live music, Christmas bingo, and even a special visit from Santa himself!
Do you run a business? RotterdamStyle is looking for a main sponsor. Get exclusive visibility across our website for a fixed fee. Interested? Contact us 🤝
Christmas Market culture in Rotterdam
Rotterdam does Christmas markets differently from cities built around one enormous central fair. Here, the festive season is distributed across churches, neighbourhoods, gardens, farmers’ markets and creative venues. The Scandinavian church markets are among the most distinctive, combining Christmas shopping with Norwegian and Danish traditions. Trompenburg takes another approach, filling its botanical gardens with sustainable products and greenery. At Noordplein, Rotterdamse Oogst puts regional farmers, makers and Christmas food centre stage.
That variety suits Rotterdam. Rather than trying to imitate one traditional Christmas-market formula, the city gives you several smaller experiences, each with its own community, setting and character.
Schedules can still change as December approaches, particularly where organisers have confirmed an event but not yet published a full programme. Check the organiser before travelling if you are making a special trip.
