Fun activities to do around the holidays in Leiden

December 1: WinterFair 

Feeling like some live music, locally roasted coffee, organic mulled wine and tasty snacks? Then you must visit the WinterFair! This sustainable winter market offers various workshops such as wax candle making ️, peanut butter making or glass engraving. You can also meet entrepreneurs from Leiden and buy their sustainable gifts with a great story. The event is free, and you can visit without signing up! It takes place at The Field, on December 1, from 12:00 to 20:00.   

December 5: Meet&Mingle 

This Meet&Mingle will take place in one of the most popular cafes in Leiden: Café de Keyzer! In this cozy café, you'll get the chance to meet people in Leiden while enjoying some snacks and drinks. The Meet&Mingles are held monthly by LeidenInternationalCentre at various locations in Leiden. Sign up for free and join the next Meet&Mingle on December 5, from 18:00 to 20:00 at Café de Keyzer. 

December 4, 15, and 18–22: De Nostalgische Kerstmarkt 

Experience the ultimate winter dream and old-fashioned coziness at ‘De Nostalgische Kerstmarkt’ (The Nostalgic Christmas Market) in Leiden. Walk past the charming wooden Christmas stalls, enjoy the smell of freshly baked delicacies from the food trucks and drink a delicious glass of mulled wine on the terrace! De Nostaligische Kerstmarkt is free to enter on December 4, 15, 18 to 22 on the Hooglandse Kerkgracht. Check the opening hours here. 

December 7 to January 5: Floating Ice Rink 

Experience the festive atmosphere in Leiden by skating on a floating ice rink in the heart of the city! Skate among Leiden's historic canal houses, surrounded by joyful people. Afterward, grab a warm cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream. Don't have ice skates? No problem! You can rent them at the rink: for €9.50, you get access to the ice rink, including skates. From December 7 to January 5, there will be daily ice skating fun on the Nieuwe Rijn. For specific opening hours, check the website.  

December 15: Game Café, Christmas Special 

Event venue Gebr. de Nobel transforms its foyer into a Game Café, where you can play a variety of games, from ping pong to board games. Play games while enjoying a special beer with music from the Dj's of “Are Friends Eclectic?”. This edition of Game Café is a Christmas special, so you definitely can't miss it during the holidays! Check it out at Gebr. de Nobel on December 15 from 14:00. Entry is free!  

December 19: Rotary Santa Run 

In the mood for a non-traditional Christmas event? In the Rotary Santa Run, participants walk 4 kilometers, but with a twist: everyone is dressed as Santa Claus! This event is held to raise money for three charities: the Salvation Army, the National Fund for Children’s Aid, and the Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital. Not only a fun event, but also a valuable one! Sign up for the Rotary Santa Run 2024 for €15.74 and you will receive a ticket, a complete Santa outfit and a medal after the run. The Rotary Santa Run is on December 19, from 18:00 to 20:30 at the Vismarkt. 

December 27: ABBA Gold 

Who doesn't know ABBA? The Swedish pop group is still popular after 40 years, and ABBA Gold is a tribute to ABBA's music. This edition of ABBA Gold is extra special: it's a Christmas edition! You can experience the ABBA Gold Christmas Special on December 27, from 19:30 to 23:00, at Gebr. de Nobel. Buy your ticket here for €25. 

December 31: NYE – Full Moon 

Another event at Gebr. de Nobel! End your New Year's Eve with a glow-in-the-dark Full Moon party where you can have a blast with confetti, epic decor, banging tunes, and your own neon outfit. There are two stages: a large stage with hit songs and a small stage with hard techno; something for everyone. The event takes place on January 1 from 00:30 at Gebr. de Nobel. Buy your ticket here for €20.