Christmas

Celebrate Christmas in Rotterdam

December is one of the best months to visit Rotterdam with lots of fun activities and events around Christmas. Rotterdam's main street Coolsingel is beautifully decorated and illuminated for a romantic Christmas atmosphere and in front of the City Hall you can find the tallest Christmas tree of Rotterdam. At the big square in front of Rotterdam Central Station there's another huge Christmas tree. Get into the Christmas mood while shopping for Christmas, dining and going out in Rotterdam. On Christmas Eve the churches in Rotterdam open their doors to celebrate Christmas together.

Christmas shopping in Rotterdam

Sales in most shops in Rotterdam city centre start already before Christmas day. During the days before Christmas (December 21, 22 and 23) the shops have extended opening hours and are open till late at night. Shops in Rotterdam centre used to be closed at Boxing Day, but nowadays Boxing Day is one of the busiest shopping days in Rotterdam. Not just the shops in Rotterdam centre are open but also the shops in the big Alexandrium Mall.

Christmas Markets in Rotterdam

You might meet Santa Claus at one of the Christmas markets in Rotterdam in the Norwegian, Swedish, Danish and Finnish seamen Churches, where you can buy all kinds of Scandinavian products. The Winter fair at the Ahoy venue is the right place to get into the Christmas mood and do Christmas shopping and even visit a small Christmas village. We recommend that you take the Waterbus service to historical town Dordrecht to visit the biggest Christmas market of the Netherlands. Read more about the Christmas market in Dordrecht.

Things to do at Christmas in Rotterdam

Attending a show at the famous Rotterdam Christmas Circus in the Ahoy multifunctional venue is great family fun. This ancient Christmas circus has performed for over 40 years and offers the best shows, clowns and acrobats. Rotterdam offers a big indoor ice rink for family skating fun aswell.  In Miniworld Rotterdam you can see an illuminated miniature Christmas village with special sound effects. Aboard the museum ship ss Rotterdam, a Christmas story will be told on several Sundays in December. Free admission. The cinemas in Rotterdam shows the latest Christmas movies and are usually packed around Christmas.

Christmas dining in Rotterdam

Many restaurants in Rotterdam offer special Christmas dinner deals on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Please note that some restaurants are closed at Christmas Day but most of them are open! Reservations will be required because many Dutch familes go out for dinner with Christmas.

Going out in Rotterdam at Christmas

Most clubs and bars in Rotterdam organize special Christmas parties on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Go and see the latest block busters in the cinemas in Rotterdam. Terrace heaters make the outdoor terraces at Stadhuisplein also comfortable in winter, so you can still sit outside and have a drink. if you plan to stay in Rotterdam until New Years Eve you can check our page about New Year celebration in Rotterdam to view a list of all parties in Rotterdam.

Hotels in Rotterdam during Christmas

If you don't want to drive home at Christmas in Rotterdam, many hotels in Rotterdam offer special Christmas package deals, often including a dinner.