On the Christmas list...

From strolling through a Christmas market while sipping mulled wine or chocolate milk to skating around a monumental town hall. There is plenty to do throughout the country this Christmas. MASTERS lists the best activities.

Ice skating 

For a moment it seemed that we would be able to skate on natural ice during Christmas this year. But, good news: the skates can still be removed from the grease. In addition to an ice skating rink, Museumplein also has a Christmas market until December 26. Would you rather go for the 'real work'? Then you can also go to the Jaap Eden Ice Rink in Amsterdam. But as a skating enthusiast you can also indulge yourself in Gouda. You can even skate a full lap around the monumental town hall and afterwards enjoy a hot drink in the Koek & Zopie with a panoramic view... 

View ice sculptures 

Admire the most beautiful ice sculptures at the Dutch Ice Sculpture Festival. The best ice artists in the world have come to Zwolle to translate the theme 'What a wonderful World' into a magical world of snow and ice sculptures up to 6 meters high... 

Visit a Christmas market 

The Christmas holidays are the perfect time to stroll for hours along various stalls at a Christmas market with a glass of mulled wine in hand. As mentioned earlier, the Christmas market on Museumplein, with the Rijksmuseum as the backdrop, is certainly one must visit. But until December 24, Leiden also has a very unique one, floating on the city canal. Would you like to visit a market after Christmas? In Maastricht they extend Christmas a little longer; Magical Maastricht is once again the stage for one of the nicest Christmas markets in the Netherlands until December 31. 

Hortus by night 

The Hortus will be open extra long this winter during the Hortus by Night evenings. Put on your thick sweater and enjoy a fairytale evening walk. In the colorfully lit greenhouses you walk past centuries-old palms and special tropical plants. Afterwards you can warm up by the campfire on the winter terrace and enjoy a mulled wine… 

View an exhibition 

Are you looking for a slightly warmer activity? Perhaps visiting an exhibition is an idea. Due to its success, 'The Last Sentinels: Heroes, from near and far' has been extended at Fabrique des Lumières. Together with Dutch-British photographer Jimmy Nelson, they present a sensory-stimulating exhibition. The photographer's iconic images are shown in life-size proportions with a combination of photography, film, animation and sound. Unfortunately, this exhibition cannot be admired during Christmas, so take a look before you go here the opening hours.