What will this year’s Advent markets be like in Haarlem? Program and important information in one place

Do you want to enjoy the Advent atmosphere in the land of windmills and tulips this year? 

Go to the Christmas markets in Haarlem.

They are widely considered to be some of the most beautiful in the whole of Holland.

What can you look forward to?

Advent Markets Haarlem

In general, the Christmas markets in the Netherlands are not as busy as in neighboring Germany. Although there are, of course, Christmas markets in the capital Amsterdam, they are not particularly large. Some are also only held for one day and don’t have the real magical atmosphere of an old European city that you might be after.

The Haarlem Christmas markets, on the other hand, take place in the middle of a well-preserved historic center and meet all the requirements for a festive and cheerful atmosphere. Another advantage is that Haarlem is only 15 minutes away by train from Amsterdam. You can thus easily visit them even during your stay in the capital.

Christmas markets in the Old Town

When and where will it all take place?

Program of the Haarlem Advent Fair

The Christmas market in Haarlem grows every year, and this year, visitors should expect up to 350 stalls and several stages where musical performances and other entertainment events will take place. The stalls will line the edges of the Grote Markt, with St. Bavo’s Church in the background, before continuing as a winding route through several streets centered around the Old Town.

Most stalls sell beautiful handmade items rather than mass-produced kitsch, so it’s a great place to shop for Christmas gifts. Of course, typical Christmas delicacies include hot chocolate or mulled wine.

Musical performances are also everywhere, not only on stages but also in the streets. A local attraction is the Nostalgische Miniatuurkermis van, which exhibits miniature versions of fairground attractions complete with moving parts, lights, and music.

Last but not least, you should not miss two local streets during your visit to the Advent markets in Haarlem. The Schagchelstraat will be transformed into Emma Street, where you will step back in time and experience a real 19th-century Christmas party, and the Kleine Houtstraat will be completely in the style of the Middle Ages.

Discover what the Haarlem Advent Fair looks like through the following video.

🎅🏻The Most Famous Christmas Market in Netherlands 4K Haarlem Christmas Market 2023

Interesting places in Haarlem

The city of Haarlem, less than 20 kilometers from Amsterdam, was founded in the 13th century. For a long time, it was one of the most important centers of the country. However, its history was negatively marked by a siege by Spanish troops in 1572 and a great fire in 1576, which destroyed about 500 buildings.

Later, the city became famous for its flower shops and famous tulips. Today, Haarlem is a peaceful city full of medieval charm, rich in culture, and worth visiting at any time of the year, even during Advent.

Grote Markt

One of the symbols of Haarlem is the Market Square (Grote Markt), which is considered the heart of the city and the area above which the most important buildings rise. You can admire the beautiful Town Hall, St. Bavon’s Church, and the Hals Museum here. It is, therefore, not surprising that a large part of the Christmas markets in Haarlem take place here.

St. Bavo’s Church

This 13th-century Gothic church, often called the Grote Kerk, is the largest church in the Netherlands, with its 43-meter-high vaults. It is impressive, with a beautiful wooden ceiling, endless stained glass windows, and 400 tombstones, including that of the famous Dutch artist Frans Hals.

However, the real gem of this church is its huge ornate organ with 5000 pipes, which was played by the young Mozart and Handel. They are rightly considered to be one of the most beautiful organs in Europe.

De Adriaan Windmill

Last but not least, among the mandatory activities in Haarlem is a visit to the De Adriaan mill, which lies at the end of the Spaarne River. The mill was built in 1779 and, over time, was used to grind tobacco and later flour. It was destroyed by fire in 1932, took 70 years to rebuild, and opened to the public as a museum in 2002.