The holiday season is upon us and that means the Netherlands is slowly preparing for Christmas! From atmospheric Christmas markets to cosy skating rinks and winter walks through beautifully lit cities - it's going to be a magical time for everyone.
EuroParcs holiday parks are the perfect base for the best Christmas getaways in the Netherlands. In this blog, discover our top 4 best Christmas outings in the Netherlands near our holiday parks.
The 4 most fun Christmas getaways in the Netherlands
1. Midwinter festival Graft-De Rijp
2. Winter Station at the Railway Museum, Utrecht
1. Midwinter festival Graft-de Rijp
On the weekend of 14 and 15 December 2024, the Midwinter Festival will take place in the town of Graft-De Rijp in North Holland. Every year, the centre turns into a kind of living painting from the 19th century. Everywhere you look, you see beautifully decorated streets with lights and candles.
The best thing about this winter event is that even the residents imagine themselves in another era. Everyone is dressed in authentic costumes, street performers play traditional songs and old crafts are practiced.
At the market, you will find numerous stalls selling all kinds of handmade products and local delicacies. You can find beautiful jewellery, taste smoked fish or buy fresh bread from the baker. Of course, no Christmas market is complete without a glass of mulled wine!
After such an atmospheric event, it is great to be able to spend the night nearby. Luckily, EuroParcs De Rijp is less than 5 kilometres away. Rent a bike at the park and you'll be at the Midwinter Festival within 15 minutes!
2. Winter Station at the Railway Museum
From 21 December 2024 to 5 January 2025 the Railway Museum in Utrecht transforms into the atmospheric Winter Station. During this period, the museum is beautifully decorated with all kinds of lights, decorations and snowflakes. The fact that you can view the train collection in winter atmospheres further enhances the feeling of nostalgia!
One of the main highlights of the Winter Station is the large skating rink. This stands among the collection, so you skate past the historic steam locomotives, as it were. Unique and magical to experience once.
After skating, you can warm up with a cup of hot chocolate at one of the stalls. You will find all kinds of winter snacks, such as a hot waffle with cherries or fresh poffertjes. The crackling campfire and classic carousel really complete the magical winter atmosphere.
This cosy Christmas getaway can already be found less than a half-hour drive from EuroParcs De Utrechtse Heuvelrug. This holiday park is in the middle of the forests of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, yet close to the lively city of Utrecht. Ideal if you want to combine your Christmas or city trip with an overnight stay.
3. Dickens Festival in Deventer
On 14 and 15 December 2024, the Dickens Festijn will take place in Deventer. During this popular winter event, all kinds of characters from Charles Dickens' famous stories come to life. The historic city centre also features a cosy Christmas atmosphere with lights, stalls, Christmas trees and street performers.
As the streets are filled with people completely immersed in their roles, just walking through the city is an experience. Everywhere you look, you will see mischievous street children, loud sales songs and beggars on the pavement. Who knows, you might bump into Mr Pickwich or Oliver Twist!
No Christmas event is complete without a square filled with stalls and artisanal treats such as hot chocolate, waffles and mulled wine.
From holiday park EuroParcs De Achterhoek, it is half an hour's drive to Deventer. So you can enjoy a wonderful winter holiday and a magical day out.
4. Ice * Amsterdam
Surely one of the most enjoyable skating rinks in the Netherlands can be found at Ice Amsterdam. This iconic skating rink on Museumplein will be there from 14 November 2024 to 2 February 2025. Skating with the thousands of lights on the Rijksmuseum in the background adds to that magical Christmas feeling.
The skating rink itself is surrounded by wooden stalls where you can try all kinds of tasty things. Even if the cold is not really your thing, you must have skated at Ice Amsterdam. You will feel as happy as a child again!
This Christmas trip is great to experience with your children, but is also perfect as a romantic getaway with your partner. Once you've finished skating, there is still plenty to do in Amsterdam's vibrant city centre.
Combine your visit to Ice Amsterdam with a stay at our holiday park EuroParcs Het Amsterdamse Bos. Here you will stay in natural surroundings in the forest. Rent an (electric) bike at the park and explore the capital at your leisure by bike.
More inspiration for the winter holidays
The best Christmas outings and winter activities
