Last updated: 11 November 2024
Discover the festive events in Rotterdam during December! This guide presents all the highlights of the winter season, from traditional Christmas markets to modern light shows, carefully curated for both Rotterdam locals and visitors.
In the heart of the city, you'll find the atmospheric Binnenrotte Christmas market, surrounded by historic buildings and modern architecture. The Markthal offers an indoor winter experience with local delicacies, while the Coolsingel sparkles with festive lighting. The Schouwburgplein transforms into a winter celebration with an ice rink, and the Erasmus Bridge forms the iconic backdrop for Rotterdam's winter skyline.
Have suggestions or corrections? Contact us!
Rotterdam Holiday Markets and Shopping
Green Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Sustainable gift items linked to green products.
- Description
- The Kerstmarkt Trompenburg is an intimate Christmas market featuring local vendors offering sustainable gift items such as plants, bulbs, and garden decor.
- Where
- Rotterdam | More Info : Green Christmas Market
Rotterdam Harvest Market Christmas Edition
- What to Expect
- Treats from local bakers and chefs.
- Description
- The Rotterdamse Oogstmarkt Christmas Edition offers the best holiday shopping, with treats from local bakers and chefs, and beautiful gifts sold by the makers themselves.
- Where
- Rotterdam | More Info : Rotterdam Harvest Market Christmas Edition
Chocolate Company Café
- What to Expect
- Unique location in the Markthal with a view of the largest artwork in the world.
- Description
- In the center of Rotterdam, near the place where Rotterdam was founded in 1270, you'll find the Chocolate Company Café in the Markthal. Here, you can enjoy delicious chocolate experiences made from handmade chocolate from Limburg, along with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, and with a view of the largest artwork in the world: the Horn of Plenty on the ceiling of the Markthal.
- Where
- Rotterdam | More Info : Chocolate Company Café
WinterFeest Barendrecht
- What to Expect
- Children's activities and winter treats and drinks.
- Description
- WinterFeest Barendrecht is a cozy village festival in the Old Village of Barendrecht, featuring festivities, performances, and a large Winter Market.
- Where
- Barendrecht | More Info : WinterFeest Barendrecht
Warm Winter Market Gouda
- What to Expect
- Unique gifts and winter treats on a creative hub.
- Description
- The Warme Wintermarkt op GOUDasfalt offers unique, local, handmade, and vintage gifts, winter treats, warm chocolate, and glühwein, fire pits, and the Kadoruilmuur.
- Where
- Gouda | More Info : Warm Winter Market Gouda
Christmas Market Maassluis
- What to Expect
- Christmas market with many Christmas stalls and delicious winter delicacies.
- Description
- The Christmas market in the Stadshart of Maassluis will be held on the weekend of 14 and 15 December. You can find numerous Christmas stalls offering unique gifts and delicious winter delicacies.
- Where
- Maassluis | More Info : Christmas Market Maassluis
Dordtse December Days
- What to Expect
- Unique combination of winter activities and cozy lighting.
- Description
- The Dordtse Decemberdagen offer a rich array of winter activities in the city center of Dordrecht. This includes the cozy Winter Garden, an intimate December market with wooden chalets, boat tours, and city walks. The Dwaalspoor route is open daily from 17:00 to 22:00, except on the first Christmas Day.
- Where
- Dordrecht | More Info : Dordtse December Days
Rotterdam Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas Circus Ahoy
- What to Expect
- Unique family event with humor and Christmas atmosphere.
- Description
- The first Christmas Circus of the Ashton Brothers at Ahoy offers a unique mix of cabaret, acrobatics, music, and slapstick. The Ashton Brothers are inspired by the rich history of Rotterdam's entertainment and bring iconic locations and moments from the city to life.
- Where
- Rotterdam | More Info : Christmas Circus Ahoy
Rotterdam Other Holiday Activities
Rotterdam Ice Skating Rink
- What to Expect
- Daily open Funbaan during Autumn Holiday
- Description
- Schaatsbaan Rotterdam offers a unique experience for everyone, with a wide range of activities from ice skating to curling. The Funbaan is open daily during the Autumn Holiday with a fun program for young and old.
- Where
- Rotterdam | More Info : Rotterdam Ice Skating Rink
Kunsthal Ai Weiwei - In Search of Humanity
- What to Expect
- Largest retrospective exhibition of Ai Weiwei to date.
- Description
- The exhibition Ai Weiwei - In Search of Humanity presents an impressive overview of Ai Weiwei's over-four-decade-spanning career, featuring paintings, cultural ready-mades, LEGO works, sculptures, installations, photography, and video art.
- Where
- Rotterdam | More Info : Kunsthal Ai Weiwei - In Search of Humanity
Euromast and Euroscoop
- What to Expect
- Unique 185-meter-high view with a glass floor in the Euroscoop.
- Description
- The Euromast offers breathtaking views of Rotterdam from 185 meters high. You can enjoy an international cuisine in the restaurant, a unique 360-degree view in the Euroscoop, and a fantastic breakfast in the suites.
- Where
- Rotterdam | More Info : Euromast and Euroscoop