Christmas Village Amsterdam

Christmas Village Amsterdam fills Museumplein, the big lawn between the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Concertgebouw, with a Christmas market for most of December. More than 50 stalls sell gifts, decorations and winter food and drink, so it is easy to combine with a museum visit.

Entry is free for the whole run, from 3 to 27 December. It is a family day out rather than a late-night one: the stalls open around midday and close at 21:00, earlier on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and the final Sunday.

Getting there: Museumplein is a short tram ride from Amsterdam Centraal, and there are stops on several sides of the square. Leave the car at home; parking around the museums is limited and expensive.