HAPPENING 18–22 OCT 2025 | This autumn break, the Euromast transforms into an adventure paradise for families. From 18 to 22 October, Rotterdam’s most iconic tower invites children and parents to enjoy a week full of fun — from mini-boats and face painting to treasure hunts and the interactive experience The Rise of Rotterdam.

A day full of family fun

The excitement starts as soon as you arrive. Children can play captain for a day by steering their own mini-boats on the water. On 18 and 22 October, between 11:00 and 14:00, little visitors can be transformed into their favourite superhero or animal during the face-painting sessions. Afterwards, families can explore the tower together on a fun treasure hunt filled with hidden surprises.

Learn and explore with The Rise of Rotterdam

One of the highlights of the day is The Rise of Rotterdam — a dynamic, educational experience that tells the story of how the city rebuilt itself after the Second World War. With light, sound and moving imagery, children discover Rotterdam’s remarkable transformation in an interactive way that makes learning fun.

Family adventures at the Euromast this autumn break

Enjoy the view from 185 metres high

While the kids explore, parents can unwind in the restaurant, enjoying panoramic views of the city and a seasonal menu. The children’s menu makes it easy to refuel before heading to the Euroscoop, the rotating glass lift that brings visitors to a height of 185 metres for the best view of Rotterdam in its autumn colours.

Make a day of it in Het Park

After the visit, families can head straight into Het Park, the green heart of Rotterdam right next to the Euromast. It’s the perfect place for a final walk or a play session among the trees — with the city’s skyline as a backdrop.

With over 37,000 positive reviews, the Euromast remains one of Rotterdam’s favourite destinations for families, offering a perfect mix of adventure, learning and spectacular views.

Practical information

Dates: 18–22 October 2025
Mini-boats: 18–21 October
Face painting: 18 & 22 October, 11:00–14:00
Location: Euromast, Parkhaven 20, Rotterdam
Tickets & info: euromast.nl/herfstvakantie

Directions

The Euromast is located on Parkhaven, next to Het Park, within walking distance from tram stop Euromast/Erasmus MC. Parking is available nearby, and the attraction is easily accessible by bike or water taxi.

When the cold sets in, the city’s rinks come to life. Rotterdam’s main seasonal rink sits in Kralingen, with a 400-metre track in a colourful tunnel and a large fun rink. Around the region you will also find indoor rinks and winter pop-ups that are easy day trips from Rotterdam.

Schaatsbaan Rotterdam (Kralingen)

Schaatsbaan Rotterdam is the city’s flagship winter rink. You skate laps in a covered rainbow-lit tunnel on a 400-metre track with ISU dimensions. There is also a 1,600 m² fun rink (the Funbaan, the casual family rink where training aids are allowed) and dedicated curling lanes.

Ice skating at Schaatsbaan Rotterdam in Kralingen

2025–26 season dates

• Autumn holiday early opening (Funbaan only): Saturday 18 October to Sunday 26 October 2025.
• Schools on the Funbaan: from Monday 27 October 2025.
• Full season (400-metre track and Funbaan): Saturday 22 November 2025 to Saturday 21 February 2026.

Tickets and prices

• Single entry: from €9.50 (dynamic pricing by day and time; €1 door surcharge if you buy at the entrance).
• Spectator card: €5.
• Skate hire: from €6.50; noren hire from €8 (noren = long-blade speed skates); helmets from €3; child “seals” free to use.
• Rotterdampas holders get one free entry.
  Book online; gloves are compulsory.

Good to know
There are noren-only hours on the 400-metre track (noren-only = sessions reserved for long-blade speed skates and steady lap skating). Expect regular ice-resurfacing breaks; check the daily schedule before you go. Public transport is recommended; the site has limited parking.

There are a wide variety of prices, so check out the official website for more information. Schaatsbaan Rotterdam is 100% cashless, so you're only able to pay via debit card. Gloves are compulsory.

Ijsvrij Festival (Leuvehaven) - cancelled in 2024/2025

IJsvrij is the romantic city-centre rink previously held on Plein 1940 and earlier at Het Park. The last confirmed edition ran in winter 2022–23; there has been no official announcement for winter 2025–26 at the time of writing. If it returns, expect a cosy winter square with skating, silent disco, and small-scale curling.

Ice skating at Ijsvrij in Rotterdam

Plaswijckpark’s rink (Hillegersberg-Schiebroek)

Plaswijckpark has in recent winters installed a covered 500 m² real-ice rink as part of its seasonal programming. For 2025–26 details had not yet been published at the time of writing; check Plaswijckpark’s channels before you go.

Ice skating at Plaswijckpark in Rotterdam

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. 

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.

Traditional Scandinavian Christmas Markets

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.

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.

Rotterdamse Oogst Kerstmarkt | 13 & 20 DEC 2025

Day‑trip markets near Rotterdam

WinterFeest Barendrecht | 13 DEC 2025 | 11:00–17:00

A festive celebration in Barendrecht with numerous activities for children. The event typically hosts over 80 stalls across the Schaatsbaan, Dorpsstraat, Doormanplein and Kerkplein, plus a stage with performances and many children’s activities (crafts, rides, karaoke).

Christmas Fairs in Schiedam | 13 DEC 2025

Dickens Festijn, Kaarsjesavond and Kerstmarkt all take place on the same day, with specific times. According to the Schiedam tourism site, all the major events occur on 13 Dec 2025:

• Dickens Festijn (11:00–18:00) brings 19th‑century street scenes, crafts, street theatre, choir performances and children’s activities.
• Kaarsjesavond (16:45–19:30) includes the mayor lighting the tree at 18:45.
• Kerstmarkt on Hoogstraat (10:00–18:00) features more than 100 stalls and a Makersmarket in the Havenkerk (12:00–17:00).

Warme Wintermarkt Gouda | 14 DEC 2025

Held at the creative hub GOUDasfalt, this market offers unique gifts, winter treats, and a gift exchange wall​​. The GOUDasfalt site confirms the market is 14 Dec 2025, 11:00–17:00 and describes it as a cosy market with local, handmade and vintage goods, winter treats, glühwein, live (Christmas) music and fire pits. Visitors are urged to walk or cycle due to limited parking.

Royal Christmas Fair The Hague | 4–23 DEC 2025

One of the Netherlands’ largest markets returns to Lange Voorhout. The Den Haag tourism board confirms that the Royal Christmas Fair runs from 4 December to 23 December 2025 with free admission and daily opening hours of 12:00–21:00. Dozens of Christmas houses line the avenue, lit by thousands of LED lights; visitors can warm up at fire pits with mulled wine, watch choirs and storytellers and meet Santa.

Gouda by Candlelight (Gouda) | 12 DEC 2025

Gouda’s historic centre glows during Gouda bij Kaarslicht, one of the country’s oldest light festivals. The official tourism site lists the event as taking place annually on 12 December. Around 1,500 candles illuminate the Renaissance town hall and thousands more light up windows across the city. The highlight is the lighting of the giant Christmas tree – a gift from Gouda’s Norwegian sister city Kongsberg – usually between 19:00 and 20:00.

Delft Verlicht & Lichtjesavond | 9 DEC 2025 – 4 JAN 2026

Delft’s winter festival starts with Lichtjesavond on Tuesday 9 December 2025, when the Markt square and canals are bathed in lights, choirs sing and the city’s Christmas tree is lit. The programme includes a Christmas market on 17 Dec 2025, the Rotary Santa Run (13 Dec) and the Royal Beats Delft concerts.

Dordtse Decemberdagen & Decembermarket | 13–31 DEC 2025

Dordrecht’s enormous multi‑day market has evolved into a winter festival with various components. A recent blog on the city’s tourism site states that the Dordtse Decemberdagen run from 13 to 31 December 2025, combining light art, guided walks and music. The Decembermarkt is a cosy weekend market on Saturday 13 December (10:00–22:00) and Sunday 14 December (12:00–20:00). New this year is a Winter Garden (Wintertuin) near the Grote Kerk from 26–30 December, open daily from 14:00–22:00.

Nostalgic Christmas Market (Leiden) | 13–14 & 17–21 DEC 2025

Leiden’s market is part of the Winter Wonder Weeks and takes place on the Hooglandse Kerkgracht. A 2025 guide to Dutch markets lists the Nostalgische Kerstmarkt on multiple days: Saturday 13 December (12:00–21:00), Sunday 14 December (13:00–21:00), Wednesday 17 through Friday 19 December (daily 12:00–21:00), Saturday 20 December (12:00–21:00) and Sunday 21 December (13:00–18:00). Visitors can also skate on the floating ice rink on the Nieuwe Rijn from 6 December 2025 to 5 January 2026.

WinterFar Zwijndrecht | 11-13 DEC

Winterfair Zwijndrecht 2025 runs 11–13 Dec, with the Christmas market on 13 Dec 10:00–18:00. It notes that there is a heated après‑ski tent, live performances and dozens of stalls selling decorations, gifts and food.

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.

Kerstmarkt Spijkenisse | 20 DEC 2025

Spijkenisse will host a German-themed Christmas market on Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00. The previous edition took place in the Zijlstraat near the Dorpskerk, styled as an Anton Pieck-inspired lane. Visitors can expect more than fifty stalls (some with wooden fronts). There's likely to be a stage with live performances throughout the day, tasty treats like mulled wine and hot chocolate, illuminated tractors, a merry-go-round, and festive appearances by Santa, a reindeer, and a snowman.  

Winter & Christmas Market Rhoon | 13-14 DEC 2025

Still to be announced:

It is still unclear if these events are happening in 2025:

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!

German Christmas market

The traditional Christmas market at the German Evangelical Church at ‘s-Gravendijkwal 65 in Rotterdam is back again this year. On Saturday, 23 November, from 10:00 to 16:00, you can enjoy a variety of treats, including homemade cakes, Lebkuchen, Bratwurst, Glühwein, soup, and much more. Christmas gifts, decorations, handicrafts, and festive prizes in the lottery await you.
 

Christmas Market culture in Rotterdam

Over the past decade, Rotterdam’s festive markets have blossomed from a handful of small, church‑run bazaars into a varied mix of city‑wide fairs and neighbourhood gatherings. Many markets are still organised by local communities, charities or churches, but they now sit alongside larger productions that turn public squares and venues into winter wonderlands with twinkling lights, food stalls and live music.

Sustainability and local craftsmanship are at the heart of many markets. Some events are set in botanical gardens and focus on eco‑friendly gifts such as greenery, handmade wreaths, upcycled items and artisanal food. Others are intimate, green‑living markets where local entrepreneurs sell plants, handmade goods and hot chocolate in a peaceful setting. Volunteer‑run fairs supported by sponsors offer a wide range of products, from decorations and clothing to honey and perfumes, plus food trucks and cosy après‑ski tents. Farmers’ markets often hold special Christmas editions where bakers, cheesemakers and producers set up extra stalls filled with fresh produce and unique gifts.

Rotterdam’s Christmas markets mirror the city’s international character. Alongside glühwein and Dutch oliebollen you will find Norwegian, French, Surinamese and Asian delicacies, reflecting the diverse communities that call the city home. The atmosphere is welcoming; visitors are there for the seasonal cheer, the camaraderie and the chance to support local artisans. Whether you are wandering through illuminated streets, sipping mulled wine in a garden or browsing handmade ornaments at a farmers’ market, Rotterdam’s festive culture offers plenty of warmth and creativity—even on the coldest December day.

HAPPENING 20–21 SEP 2025 | Trompenburg Gardens will once again host its seasonal plantenmarkt this September, featuring a wide array of plants, local produce and gardening advice. This year's edition includes several new exhibitors offering sustainable and organic options.

Plantenmarkt returns to Trompenburg Gardens this September

Rotterdam residents and garden enthusiasts can look forward to the upcoming autumn plantenmarkt (plant market) at Trompenburg Tuinen & Arboretum. Scheduled for the weekend of Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September, the event will run from 10:00 to 17:00 each day.

The market is held during a period considered ideal for planting. Visitors will find an extensive selection of flora, ranging from perennials and trees to flowering bulbs, cacti and houseplants. Admission to the plantenmarkt follows the garden’s standard entry prices. Entry remains free for holders of the Museumkaart, Rotterdampas and Trompenburg’s year pass.

Specialist growers and sustainable options

A broad range of specialist growers will be on hand to provide expert advice and offer diverse plant varieties. In addition to plants, visitors can explore stalls featuring garden decorations, honey, ceramics and other nature-related products.

New exhibitors this year include:

• Hoeksche Pompoenen, an organic grower based in Mijnsheerenland, presenting edible and ornamental pumpkins.
• Boschveld Pitcher Plants, showcasing a wide collection of carnivorous plants, particularly Sarracenia species.
• The Planthoarder Bus, a mobile shop filled with handmade terrariums, unusual houseplants and botanical workshops.
• Flevokruid, a small-scale nursery offering organic seeds and herbs, including linseed and ayurvedic plants.

Free planting advice by design students

Visitors seeking advice on sustainable garden design will have access to free consultations by students from the OntwerpAcademie. These aspiring planting specialists (beplantingsspecialist) will offer tips on plant combinations, location-based planting, and long-term garden maintenance.

Food and drink options throughout the gardens

Several food and drink stands will be set up across the gardens. These include:

• Fresh coffee by The Caffeine Boys
• Fries by Dapp Frietfiets
• Crêpes from Krep de la Crêpe
• Local wines, apple cider, and various sweet and savoury snacks
• A pop-up lunch café and terrace for those wishing to take a break amid the greenery

Directions and venue details

Trompenburg Tuinen & Arboretum

The plantenmarkt will take place at Trompenburg Gardens, located in the Kralingen district of Rotterdam. The gardens are easily accessible by tram or bicycle, and parking is available nearby. The area is known for its tranquil streets and proximity to the Kralingse Bos park.