# Must sees
Together we turn on the light
Just come! to the Rotterdam Warm Winter Weeks
With the Christmas holidays just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to explore wintery Rotterdam! The city feels even cosier and more festive, with plenty to see and do thanks to the Rotterdam Warm Winter Weeks. Here are a few fun tips to keep you entertained.
Of course, Het Park or Kralingse Bos are beautiful for a stroll. But how fun is it to take a walk in the city? The city centre offers a stunning backdrop thanks to the atmospheric Christmas lights and light installations.
From 12 December to 4 January, you can admire various light art and light projects throughout Rotterdam’s city centre. The Lijnbaan, Hofplein, Hoogstraat, Koopgoot, Binnenwegplein, and many other locations will sparkle this winter with unique sculptures, light objects, and special window displays.
End the Christmas celebrations on an active note! On 'Boxing Day', Saturday 27 December, keep moving by taking part in the Rotterdam Night Walk, available in 5 or 10-kilometre routes. During this event, you’ll stroll through a festive Rotterdam, passing various city highlights and enjoying special performances and winter treats along the way. The Christmas decorations throughout the city add an extra cosy touch. It promises to be a delightful evening walk!
The Rotterdam Ice Rink is open again, for the 13th time! That means three months of ice fun and skating under the rainbow. Grab your skates, round up your friends, and enjoy a 400-metre rink, the ice rink itself, several exciting events, and of course, hot chocolate!
Be sure to buy your ticket online, as the Christmas holidays are set to be a busy period on the rink.
Rotterdam has several Christmas markets where you can experience the ultimate winter atmosphere! For example, visit The Maker Market at the Groot Handelsgebouw on 12, 13, and 14 December for live music, snacks, and, of course, handmade items.
Prefer to enjoy the wintery outdoors? Then head to Trompenburg on 12, 13, and 14 December for a green Christmas market. Expect a variety of products related to greenery, as well as lovely Christmas gifts from local entrepreneurs, such as handmade candles, artisanal chocolate and stollen, beautiful ceramics, and zero-waste personal care products.
Curious about the other Christmas markets in Rotterdam this year? Check them out via the button below!
It’s the Christmas holidays and the 25th is approaching, but you haven’t got your gifts yet! No worries—Rotterdam city centre is full of shops where you can find the perfect presents. For the sporty types, head to Decathlon. Looking for a gift for someone with a taste for luxury? We recommend SKINS on Kruiskade, where they sell the most unique perfumes and scented candles.
Another bonus: there are extra late-night shopping evenings in the city centre, so you can pop in for a gift even after work.
The name says it all: at WTC Rotterdam, you can swing in the snow on 19, 20, and 21 December! With the purchase of any item worth €10 in the WTC shops, you can take a free swing. Bring your partner, friends, or family for an unforgettable ‘swing’ in the heart of the city. Don’t forget to snap a photo with Santa too! You’ll get your picture immediately as a keepsake.
A Christmas tree village, but even more fun! On 19, 20, and 21 December at WTC Rotterdam, there’s a ‘the floor is lava’ Christmas edition game for all ages. Be amazed by all the twinkling lights and leap from glow to glow for a fun and challenging winter adventure. Bringing little ones? Then you can enjoy a mini Christmas village together!
For the true winter feeling, nothing beats a hot chocolate in hand, a cosy hat on your head, and a refreshing stroll through the city. Prefer something stronger? Treat yourself to a warming Glühwein.
The ultimate spot this Christmas holiday to grab a warm drink is, of course, the Winter Square. At Beursplein in the city centre, you’ll find cosy food trucks, live music, and entertainment. And no Winter Square is complete without a hot chocolate stall.
Fancy heading elsewhere? At Parqiet in Het Park, you can enjoy delicious hot chocolate and a tasty treat for the road. If it’s busy, right next door is Dudok, offering equally delightful options—perfect to enjoy during your walk.
The Christmas holidays kick off in style with winter performances in the heart of Rotterdam! On Tuesday 23 December, enjoy Sjoerd Pleijsier and Glenda Peters as they pay tribute to Rotterdam and its famous residents, such as Gerard Cox and Joke Bruijs. Even better: the performances take place on the giant advent calendar in the Koopgoot!
From Saturday 20 December to Tuesday 23 December, you can also enjoy warm melodies, improvisation, and swinging tunes from a jazz band every evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. A perfect way to add extra sparkle to your weekend and the days leading up to Christmas.
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