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4 Magical Winter Activities in the Netherlands

April 10, 2026

The days are getting shorter and colder, and the stores are filling up with Christmas decorations. It's almost winter in the Netherlands!

It can be tempting to stay in the warmth of your home, but these magical winter activities might just be worth heading outside for! If you don't have a car, check out our blog post about Public Transportation in the Netherlands can help you plan your trip.

1. Valkenburg: The Christmas Town

Every year around Christmas, the town of Valkenburg in Limburg transforms into a true winter wonderland. The highlight is a Christmas market held in an ancient cave.

This year (2022), Valkenburg has even been named the “Best Christmas Destination in the Netherlands.” You won’t want to miss this unique experience! You can enjoy the Valkenburg: The Christmas Town from November 18 to January 8 of this year. Are you feeling a little cold while exploring the city? Why not pay a visit to the Thermae 2000 Spa too? If you're staying at a nice hotel—the Spa Hotel has some beautiful packages – It's easy to turn it into a weekend getaway!

2. Christmas Market in Maastricht

Maastricht is a great city to visit at any time of year, but especially around Christmas. The Vrijthofwill be filled with wooden stalls selling winter treats, Christmas decorations, and gifts. There’s also a huge ice skating rink (1,000 m²!), a large Ferris wheel (45 m high!), and a two-story carousel. In addition to the Vrijthof, you’ll find Christmas activities in other parts of the city as well. For example, take a look around the streets near the Basilica of Our Lady. Maastricht itself is also a great place to shop! For more information, visit the Maastricht Christmas Market website – It's only available in Dutch, so you may need to use Google Translate.

3. Winter at Efteling

Efteling is a theme park that is especially popular with families with children, but adults can also enjoy the fairy-tale-like setting of the Winter at Efteling. Most attractions will be open (the non-water attractions), and you’ll find all kinds of Christmas decorations and bonfires throughout the theme park. Get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy the fairy-tale forest with its magical decorations!

4. Wintertraum Fantasy Land

If you don't mind the drive, Fantasyland Winter Dream in Germany is a wonderful winter activity! Just like Efteling, this theme park features all kinds of winter decorations, activities, and shows. The rides at Phantasialand are a bit more thrilling and may be more fun for adults looking for excitement.

If you were planning to stay home this winter, we hope our suggestions have changed your mind! We'd love to hear your stories about trying out these activities—feel free to share them in the comments!

Looking for activities for other seasons? Check out our Fall Activity Ideas!

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