All year round, Maastricht is a wonderful city with just that atmosphere that bon-vivants love, but around Christmas, the city takes on that extra spellbinding edge. Under the moniker of "Magical Maastricht", the city goes into full Christmas mode, so visit the Christmas market, go skating on the ice rink on Vrijthof square and see the sea of lights from the top of the Ferris wheel.
- Visit the Christmas market in Maastricht and enjoy ‘Magical Maastricht’.
- Go ice skating on Vrijthof square.
- Follow the ‘light route’ and discover Maastricht’s many little alleys and characteristic squares.
Magical Maastricht
Discover the warm hospitality of Maastricht. This winter, the city’s ambiance will be better than ever. With candlelight on the Onze Lieve Vrouweplein square, fairy lights in trees and buildings, and beautifully lit shop windows, you will follow the Magical Light Route to the central Vrijthof, where you can chat to Santa.
Christmas shopping
During the Christmas market, Vrijthof square is the centre of everything. Besides a great many stalls and a Ferris wheel, it also hosts an ice skating rink. Enjoy the wonderful Christmas atmosphere while skating around, and if you (still) feel like some Christmas shopping afterwards, visit the cosy little streets of the Jekerkwartier neighbourhood.
Accessibility and parking in Maastricht
Maastricht lies about 2 hours by car from Amsterdam and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol The city is also well reachable by public transport; trains travel directly to Maastricht from Amsterdam.
If by car, keep an eye out as to where you may and where you may not park. Maastricht becomes very crowded during Christmas market season. Parking garages exist under Vrijthof square and by Sint-Servaasbrug bridge, but often fill up very quickly during this time. If you wish to pay less and be in the centre of Maastricht quickly, use one of the city’s Park + Walk car parks.
Practical information
The Christmas market is open Mondays through Wednesdays from 11.00 to 20.00, Thursdays through Saturdays from 10.00 to 22.00 and Sundays from 12.00 to 18.00.
The ice skating rink is open daily from 10.00 to 22.00, except on 24 and 25 December, on which it is open from 10.00 to 18.00.
