During the Winter Wonder Weeks, Leiden’s canals and historic streets fill up with festive events, and the highlight is the Nostalgic Christmas Market on the Hooglandse Kerkgracht, where dozens of chalets line the canal in the shadow of the Hooglandse Kerk. Nearby you will find a floating ice rink on the Nieuwe Rijn, a nostalgic funfair and plenty of spots for mulled wine. Leiden is compact and very walkable, so it all adds up to a relaxed and charming winter outing.
- When: Nostalgic Christmas Market on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 December (12:00 to 21:00), Sunday 13 December (13:00 to 21:00), Thursday 17 to Saturday 19 December (12:00 to 21:00) and Sunday 20 December (13:00 to 18:00). The floating ice rink on the Nieuwe Rijn runs from Saturday 5 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027
- Where: Hooglandse Kerkgracht, Nieuwe Rijn and other spots in Leiden city centre
- Tickets: Most events are free; the floating ice rink is paid
- Getting there: Direct trains from Haarlem and Amsterdam Centraal to Leiden Centraal, then about a 10 to 15 minute walk
Good to know: Mind the cobblestones along the canal if you have a pram, and go at dusk when the lights come on.
More Christmas markets: Best Christmas markets in the Netherlands 2026.
