December in the Netherlands is short on daylight and long on things to do, which is exactly the problem. Christmas markets, light festivals, museum workshops and ice rinks are all running at once, and it’s easy to feel like you should be doing all of it with the kids in tow.
This guide breaks down what’s actually worth your family’s time this December, city by city, so you can pick a few things and skip the rest.
Christmas Markets Across the Netherlands
December is peak Christmas market season, and most of these are genuinely family-friendly, with lights, treats and enough space for kids to wander without a strict schedule. For exact opening dates each year, it’s worth checking our events listing closer to the time, but here’s the regular line-up:
- Amsterdam Christmas Village, usually runs through most of December at Museumplein
- Funky Xmas Market, a one-day pop-up at Westergasfabriek, Amsterdam
- Royal Christmas Fair, The Hague, spanning around three weeks in December
- Haarlem Christmas Market, typically a single day, usually a weekend
- Leiden Nostalgic Christmas Market, spread across two weekends in December
- Alkmaar Christmas Market, a long weekend later in the month
- Trompenburg Christmas Market, Rotterdam, a weekend event
- Molen De Ster Winter Market, Utrecht, a weekend event
These are great for slower afternoons, festive snacks and soaking up the atmosphere without committing to a full day out. If you want the wider spread of what’s on across the country this time of year, our family events guide for October to December covers more ground.
Light Festivals and Illuminated Walks
Light festivals are one of the easiest December wins with kids. No booking, no schedule, just walking, looking and letting them be amazed. The Amsterdam Light Festival usually runs from December through to mid-January, and it’s far from the only one:
- Alkmaar Light Festival
- Delft Illuminated
- Dordrecht light installations
- Enschede Lights Up
- Nijmegen, Park Orientalis light route
- Kasteel de Haar Light Evenings (Utrecht)
- Zuiderzee winter lights
Most are free or low-cost and work well as an early-evening plan straight after school. Dress for the cold: proper coats, hats and a stroller cover or carrier for toddlers who won’t want to walk the whole route. These count as an easy weeknight outing if you’re browsing our events page for something low-effort.
Museums and Holiday Workshops
December is one of the best months to make use of a Museum Card, since a lot of venues run winter workshops and kid-focused programming on top of their usual exhibits. Family favourites include:
- Royal Delft Museum, Delft Blue painting workshops
- Wereldmuseum Amsterdam & Rotterdam, creative family workshops
- Rijksmuseum, H’ART Museum, National Maritime Museum, winter-themed events
- NEMO Science Museum, holiday workshops during the winter school break
- Museon-Omniversum, seasonal science programmes
- Railway Museum Utrecht, festive activities during the school holidays
If you’re looking for warm, indoor plans that still feel special, this is where December really delivers. Our guide to kid-friendly museums in Amsterdam has more detail on which ones suit which ages, and if the weather turns properly grim, our rainy day guide is worth bookmarking. Because a lot of this runs during the winter school break, it’s also worth checking our school holidays activity guide for how to fill the rest of that stretch.
Theatre, Festivals and Big Family Days Out
If you want something that feels properly festive and worth building a day around, these are the ones parents keep coming back to:
- Dickens Festijn (Deventer), a weekend in December. The town transforms into a Victorian Christmas village with costumes, music and street performances.
- Het Amsterdamse Winterparadijs (RAI), runs for several weeks, spanning December into the New Year. Skating, rides, food, shows and plenty to keep kids entertained all day.
- Pantropica Winterdroom, runs through December and into January. Warm, tropical and decorated for the season, a welcome break from winter coats.
- Gouda by Candlelight, a single evening in December. Atmospheric, calm and special for older kids.
- Valkenburg Christmas Town, runs through most of December. Christmas markets inside caves, light routes and a completely different winter vibe.
Zoos With Winter Programmes
Winter is an underrated time for zoo visits. Fewer crowds, cooler weather and, in some cases, more active animals than you’d see on a hot summer afternoon. Good December options include:
- ARTIS
- Blijdorp
- Burgers’ Zoo
- Beekse Bergen
Some run themed winter days on top of the usual programme, so it’s worth checking what’s on before you go rather than assuming it’s just the standard visit.
Ice Skating and Pop-Up Rinks
December means skating season is properly on. Popular family-friendly options across the country include:
- Jaap Eden IJsbaan, Amsterdam
- Ice Village Amsterdam
- Schaatsbaan Rotterdam
- De Uithof IJsbaan, indoor and outdoor options
- IJsbaan Haarlem, calmer and smaller
- Schaatsbaan Eindhoven
- IJsbaan Groningen
- Ice Village Maastricht
- Winterstad Valkenburg
Many rinks offer beginner sessions and skating frames, which make a real difference for young kids who are still finding their balance. Pack thick socks and gloves that can get wet, ankle support matters more than style at this age.
Feeling Overwhelmed? Start Small
You don’t need to do everything on this list. Pick one light festival, one museum visit and one bigger day out, and you’ve already built a solid December rhythm without exhausting anyone.
If your week gets away from you and you need something that works with almost no planning, our last-minute plans guide is built for exactly that. And once December winds down, our New Year’s Eve with kids guide covers what comes next. For more ideas across the year, browse our full set of family guides.
FAQ
Is December a good month for family travel in the Netherlands?
Yes, as long as you plan around short daylight hours and indoor backup options. Museums, light festivals and Christmas markets all cluster in December, so it’s easy to build a trip or a weekend around a handful of these without much extra planning.
Are Christmas markets free to enter?
Most Dutch Christmas markets are free to walk around, though individual stalls, food, drinks and some activities are paid. Bigger events like Winterparadijs or Valkenburg Christmas Town may have their own entry pricing, so it’s worth checking before you go.
What should we bring to outdoor light festivals?
Warm layers, waterproof shoes and something to keep hands warm, since you’ll be walking rather than sitting. For toddlers, a carrier or a stroller with a rain cover works better than expecting them to walk the whole route.
Which December events are best for very young kids?
Light festivals and Christmas markets tend to work best for toddlers and preschoolers, since there’s no fixed schedule and you can leave whenever they’ve had enough. Big all-day events like Winterparadijs suit slightly older kids who can pace themselves through a longer day out.
