Leiden Christmas 2025

What to Expect This Christmas in Leiden!

Discover the festive atmosphere of Leiden with our complete winter guide. From locals to visitors, this guide leads you through all winter activities our historic university city has to offer during the December month. The city center forms the heart of the festivities, with the Nieuwe Rijn and Rapenburg as central points. Visitors can enjoy the illuminated canals, winter markets around the Hooglandse Church, and the cozy cafes and restaurants surrounding the Pieterskerk Square. The historic city center transforms with atmospheric lighting and traditional decorations, while the shopping streets like Haarlemmerstraat and Breestraat offer a varied selection of winter activities.

Find the best Christmas events in Leiden this year!

Leiden Christmas Events

Leiden Christmas Markets and Shopping (1)

Nostalgic Christmas Market Leiden in 2316 XV Leiden

Details

📍 2316 XV Leiden, Netherlands, NL

(0.6 mi from Leiden)

Nostalgic Christmas Market Leiden

Nostalgic Christmas market with artisan vendors

When

Sunday, December 1, 2024

Event Details

📷 Photo Friendly: 📷📷📷📷📷

💰 Budget: FREE

🎄 Family Friendly: 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

⚡ Energy: Low

Event Description

Step into a charming, nostalgic Christmas market in Leiden, where the air is filled with festive cheer. Browse a delightful array of artisan stalls offering unique handmade gifts, ornaments, and seasonal decorations. Savor warm beverages and festive treats from local vendors, making it the perfect place to find unique holiday treasures.

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Christmas_marketholiday_marketartisanal_productshandmade_craftsfestive_food

⭐ Best For: Holiday shopping and festive atmosphere

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Leiden seasonal_activities (1)

Drijvende IJsbaan Leiden in 2312 JC Leiden

Details

📍 2312 JC Leiden, Netherlands, NL

(0.0 mi from Leiden)

Drijvende IJsbaan Leiden

Floating ice rink on the Nieuwe Rijn

When

Saturday, December 6, 2025

Event Details

📷 Photo Friendly: 📷📷📷📷📷

💰 Budget: $$

🎄 Family Friendly: 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

⚡ Energy: Moderate

Event Description

Experience a magical winter wonderland at the Drijvende IJsbaan Leiden, a floating ice rink on the Nieuwe Rijn. Glide under festive lights and enjoy themed family mornings or silent disco events. This event also supports the Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, making your visit a heartwarming contribution.

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ice_skatingholiday_marketfamily_friendlycharity_eventseasonal_activities

⭐ Best For: Families, couples, friends

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Leiden Other Christmas Activities (2)

Winter Wonder Weeks in Leiden in Leiden

Details

📍 Leiden, South Holland, NL

(0.5 mi from Leiden)

Winter Wonder Weeks in Leiden

Floating ice rink and traditional winter fair

When

Monday, December 23, 2024

Event Details

📷 Photo Friendly: 📷📷📷📷📷

💰 Budget: $$

🎄 Family Friendly: 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

⚡ Energy: Moderate

Event Description

Experience the magic of Leiden's Winter Wonder Weeks! Glide across a unique floating ice rink on the Nieuwe Rijn, enjoy classic rides and treats at a nostalgic winter fair on Garenmarkt, and be captivated by the Grand Christmas Circus on Lammermarkt. Immerse yourself in the festive spirit of this charming Dutch city.

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winter_activitiesfamily_friendlyseasonal_activitiesfestive_atmosphereholiday_tradition

⭐ Best For: Families and couples

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Sinterklaas Arrival Leiden in Leiden

Details

📍 Leiden, ZH, NL

(0.1 mi from Leiden)

Sinterklaas Arrival Leiden

Sinterklaas's grand arrival and interactive 'House of Sinterklaas'

When

Saturday, November 16, 2024

Event Details

📷 Photo Friendly: 📷📷📷📷📷

💰 Budget: FREE

🎄 Family Friendly: 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

⚡ Energy: Moderate

Event Description

Experience the magical arrival of Sinterklaas in Leiden on November 16th! Witness the grand procession, enjoy lively music and dance performances, and meet Sinterklaas himself. The festivities continue with the 'House of Sinterklaas' offering interactive fun and games for children.

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Santa_visitsparadesfamily_friendlychildrens_activitiescommunity_celebration

⭐ Best For: Families with young children

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Near Leiden

Wassenaar Christmas Events

Duinrell Christmas Holiday in Wassenaar

Wassenaar

Details

Duinrell Christmas Holiday

Festive holiday escape with water park and amusement rides

📷📷📷📷📷 💰 $$ 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

📏 4.6 miles from Leiden

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Rides by Lights at Duinrell in Wassenaar

Wassenaar

Details

Rides by Lights at Duinrell

Illuminated rides and extended evening hours.

📷📷📷📷📷 💰 $$ 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

📏 4.6 miles from Leiden

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Noordwijkbinnen Christmas Events

Kerstmarkt Noordwijk Binnen in Noordwijk Binnen

Noordwijk Binnen

Details

Kerstmarkt Noordwijk Binnen

Charming Christmas market with old crafts and carols

📷📷📷📷📷 💰 FREE 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

📏 5.8 miles from Leiden

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Alphen Aan Den Rijn Christmas Events

Kermis Alphen aan den Rijn in Alphen aan den Rijn

Alphen aan den Rijn

Details

Kermis Alphen aan den Rijn

Annual week-long carnival celebration

📷📷📷📷📷 💰 $ 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

📏 6.1 miles from Leiden

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Alphense Jaarmarkt in Alphen aan den Rijn

Alphen aan den Rijn

Details

Alphense Jaarmarkt

Netherlands' largest annual market with over 500 stalls

📷📷📷📷📷 💰 FREE 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

📏 7.3 miles from Leiden

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Scheveningen Christmas Events

Salt Market Scheveningen in 2586 JK Den Haag

2586 JK Den Haag

Details

Salt Market Scheveningen

Coastal market with artisan vendors and holiday feel

📷📷📷📷📷 💰 FREE 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

📏 9.4 miles from Leiden

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Scheveningen Light Walk in The Hague

The Hague

Details

Scheveningen Light Walk

Evening walk through Scheveningen with light installations

📷📷📷📷📷 💰 $$ 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

📏 10.0 miles from Leiden

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See all 3 events in Scheveningen →

The Hague Christmas Events

Royal Christmas Fair The Hague in The Hague

The Hague

Details

Royal Christmas Fair The Hague

The largest Christmas market in the Netherlands

📷📷📷📷📷 💰 $ 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

📏 9.3 miles from Leiden

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Kerst-Sing-ALong in 2511 BT Den Haag

2511 BT Den Haag

Details

Kerst-Sing-ALong

Community Christmas sing-along concert

📷📷📷📷📷 💰 FREE 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

📏 9.3 miles from Leiden

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See all 3 events in The Hague →

Delft Christmas Events

Delft Christmas Market in 2611 EV Delft

2611 EV Delft

Details

Delft Christmas Market

Historic city center transformed for 'Donkere dagen van Delft'

📷📷📷📷📷 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

📏 11.6 miles from Leiden

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Delft Verlicht in 2611 EV Delft

2611 EV Delft

Details

Delft Verlicht

City-wide light installations and festive atmosphere

📷📷📷📷📷 💰 $$ 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

📏 11.6 miles from Leiden

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See all 5 events in Delft →

Hoofddorp Christmas Events

WHAMANIA! - Tribute to WHAM! in 2132 TZ Hoofddorp

2132 TZ Hoofddorp

Details

WHAMANIA! - Tribute to WHAM!

Ultimate WHAM! tribute with a 12-piece live band and special guests.

📷📷📷📷📷 💰 $$ 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

📏 13.1 miles from Leiden

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Winter Garden Festival in Netherlands

Netherlands

Details

Winter Garden Festival

Winter festival with heated tents and diverse music lineup

📷📷📷📷📷 💰 $$ 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

📏 13.7 miles from Leiden

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Gouda Christmas Events

Gouda bij Kaarslicht in Gouda

Gouda

Details

Gouda bij Kaarslicht

Historic city illuminated by thousands of candles

📷📷📷📷📷 💰 FREE 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

📏 13.7 miles from Leiden

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Gouda bij Kaarslicht in Netherlands

Netherlands

Details

Gouda bij Kaarslicht

Historic city illuminated by thousands of candles

📷📷📷📷📷 💰 FREE 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

📏 13.7 miles from Leiden

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See all 4 events in Gouda →

Heemstede Christmas Events

Country & Christmas Fair in Vijfhuizen

Vijfhuizen

Details

Country & Christmas Fair

26th annual Country & Christmas Fair with over 100 artisan vendors.

📷📷📷📷📷 💰 $$ 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

📏 14.9 miles from Leiden

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Kerstmarkt in Haarlem in Haarlem

Haarlem

Details

Kerstmarkt in Haarlem

One of the largest Christmas markets in the Netherlands with 350 stalls.

📷📷📷📷📷 💰 $$ 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

📏 16.5 miles from Leiden

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See all 3 events in Heemstede →

Uithoorn Christmas Events

Christa Snoek Christmas Workshops 2024 in Vrouwenakker

Vrouwenakker

Details

Christa Snoek Christmas Workshops 2024

Adult-only Christmas floral arrangement workshops

📷📷📷📷📷 💰 $$ 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

📏 13.2 miles from Leiden

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Our Process

With 20 years of experience, we use AI technology to build the most comprehensive list of christmas events events.

Our goal is complete coverage—from major festivals to small community celebrations, ensuring you never miss anything happening in your area.

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Last updated: 10/9/2025