Warm Winter Weeks in Arnhem
13 Dec - 24 Dec 2008
Arnhem is a great city for Christmas shopping. During the two weeks before Christmas the city boasts of activities and the streets are decorated and illuminated. The Christmas activities vary from Dutch championship of ice carving, a winter night theatre and a Christmas market (13-14 December 2008). The shopping area in Arnhem is the fifth most important in the Netherlands.

Winter in the Dutch Open Air Museum, Arnhem
6 Dec 2008 – 11 Jan 2009
From 6 December 2008 to 18 January 2009, it's winter at the Open Air Museum. In the museum park during this period, you can enjoy real ice-skating, listen to stories being told and much more besides. www.openluchtmuseum.nl/en/index.php?pid=334

Christmas Market Nijmegen
11 Dec – 24 Dec 2008
The oldest city in the Netherlands boasts a wonderful Christmas market in the two weeks before Christmas.

Mariken Winter Festival, Valkhofpark Nijmegen
6 Dec 2008 – 4 Jan 2009
The Mariken Winter Festival is one of the highlights of the festive season in Nijmegen. Located in the beautiful Valkhof Park it is one of the most atmospheric festivals offering ice skating, stalls with Christmas presents and foods and a lot more. www.marikenwinterfestival.nl

Christmas Market at Castle Middachten
9 Dec – 14 Dec 2008
Middachten opens its doors again from Tuesday, 9th to Sunday, 14th December 2008, from 11 AM to 7 PM for everyone to enjoy the old fashioned Christmas atmosphere, with the beautifully decorated saloons, hall and stairway. www.middachten.nl/home/files/flyer_2008_UK.pdf

Winterland Maastricht
29 Nov 2008 - 4 Jan 2009
The 10th edition of Winterland Maastricht will start on the 29nd of November 2008 and takes 5 weeks untill the 4th of January 2009. The Vrijthof in Maastricht will change in a wintersquare with a Christmas Market, an ice-rink, a big wheel, christmas-train and a grand carrousel. Of course there is gluhwein (warm red wine) and a lot of other drinks and food. For the best winter-atmosphere you have to visit Winterland Maastricht. www.winterland.nl/index.php

The Fluweelengrot (Velvet caves)
14 Nov - 21 Dec 2008
This market is not just like any Christmas market. The ambiance of the caves give this market a very special atmosphere that you won’t find anywhere else! www.kasteelvalkenburg.nl/en/index.html

Dordrecht Christmas market
12 -14 December 2008
In Dordrecht, a small town near Rotterdam, you can find one of the biggest Christmas markets of Holland! Under a sky of bright stars and sky high Christmas trees, you can wander around the many stalls in the many shopping streets and squares in the historical part of Dordrecht (Voorstraat/Grotekerksbuurt/Grotekerksplein/ Stadshuisplein/Groenmarkt).

Deventer Christmas Market
20 & 21 December 2008
The historic centre of Deventer transforms into a "Christmas City" each year. While the seasonal market distracts most, there is also a Dickens Festival, featuring many characters from the great man's novels. Watch out for the Ghosts of Christmas past, present and future loitering around the gingerbread...