Are you looking for fun activities during the Christmas holidays in Rotterdam? Then you’ve come to the right place.
The holiday season is right around the corner and that means one thing… presents! Oh, and a lot of food, drinks and saying cheers. And vacation (or a couple of days off). And spending time with friends and family. Okay, more than one thing.
Actually, this period means a lot of things, including doing fun activities that ooze holiday spirit. Which of these 16 activities will you be doing during the Christmas vacation in Rotterdam?
1. Ashton Brothers’ Christmas Circus PART II at Ahoy
Last year, another Christmas circus took place for the first time: the Ashton Brothers’ Christmas Circus. And because it was such a success, the Ashton Brothers are returning for the second installment.
The Ashton Brothers’ Christmas Circus in Ahoy is a magical family event. The Ashton Brothers are known for their unique blend of cabaret, acrobatics, music, and slapstick. Expect a breathtaking spectacle!
The show takes place from December 20th to 28th (including Christmas Day and Boxing Day).
Order tickets for the Ashton Brothers’ Christmas Circus here
Address
Ahoyweg 10, 3084 BA Rotterdam
2. Visit Iris van Herpen in the Kunsthal
Starting September 27, Kunsthal Rotterdam presents a new exhibition by world-renowned fashion designer Iris van Herpen. With her innovative techniques and experimental approach, she breaks conventions while simultaneously embracing the craftsmanship of haute couture.
The exhibition “Sculpting the Senses” showcases over one hundred iconic creations that merge fashion, art, design, and science. Visitors wander through thematic spaces, accompanied by a soundscape by Salvador Breed, and experience how Van Herpen continually pushes the boundaries of fashion. Highly recommended!
When: September 27, 2025 – March 1, 2026
Fancy a day at the museum? Check out more museums in Rotterdam.
Address
Museumpark, Westzeedijk 341, 3015 AA Rotterdam
3. Harvest some food and drinks at the Christmas market in Rotterdam Noord
De Rotterdamse Oogstmarkt is known by many. It is a weekly returning specialty market on the Noordplein in Rotterdam Noord. On Saturday the 13th and Saturday the 20th of December, the Oogstmarkt will be decked in Christmas spirit, so it’s the perfect occasion for a shopping trip during the Christmas holidays.
Christmas dinner and New Year’s Eve snacks have never been this tasty!
Be sure to read this article about more cosy Christmas markets in Rotterdam.
Address
Noordplein, Rotterdam
4. Play cool games at Hollywood Entertainment Center
The Christmas holidays are a time for fun activities. And you’re in the right place at Hollywood Entertainment Center, Rotterdam’s largest leisure center. It’s a great place for an interactive (Christmas) date, with a loved one or your family. Take a seat in one of Racesquare’s 64 racing simulators and experience a race at Circuit Zandvoort or another F1 circuit. Or step into the X-Cube escape room, a unique blend of escape room and video game.
Other activities include Lucky Putt Minigolf, karaoke, a matrix floor, interactive darts, pool, shuffleboard, and high-tech beer pong. Settle down tired but satisfied and eat great American food at the Sports Bar (while watching live sports games) or the Hollywood Café, surrounded by movie stars. If you can’t enjoy yourself here, we don’t know what else to do.
Adres
Cor Kieboomplein 513, 3077 MK Rotterdam
5. Cut some ice at Schaatsbaan Rotterdam
Do you enjoy riding classic ice skates? Or would you rather slide over the ice on ice hockey skates? Both are possible!
The Skating Rink Rotterdam at the Kralingse Zoom has reopened. Here you and your friends or relatives will have a great time during the Christmas holidays.
The Skating Rink in Rotterdam is even open on Christmas Day and Boxing Day! A super fun activity after Christmas breakfast or before Christmas dinner.
Also nice: various events are organized, such as the Silent Disco Skating and the Santa Skate. Take a look at their calendar.
Address
Toepad 95, 3063 NJ Rotterdam
6. Score Christmas presents and more at De Bijenkorf
De Bijenkorf is still the favourite department store of many Rotterdammers. The festivity of the building is radiant, especially during the winter months. For example: the exuberant collection of lights and the luxurious shop windows.
The Christmas department is open until Friday the 24th of December, but you are also in the right place for a shopping session after that. Because we want to look good during the shimmer of fireworks and the striking of the clock on December 31st, right?
Discover even more nice gift shops in Rotterdam.
Address
Coolsingel 105, 3012 AG Rotterdam
7. Drink hot chocolate at Chocolate Company Café
There is no better place to quickly pop in for a hot cup of chocolate than this chocolate spot in the heart of the city centre: Chocolate Company Café.
Are you gonna sit inside to warm up your icy fingers? Then you should order one of the Luxury Xmas chocolate creations, such as a Christmas tree with coloured sprinkles or a dark tree (vegan). Double up on your chocolate intake, it’s allowed!
Or enjoy a High Choc, where you can enjoy chocolate milk and a chocolate fondue to dip your strawberries and cookies in.
But of course, a cup of boiling hot cocoa is also delicious on the go. You know… to warm up whilst shopping.
Discover more spots for a hot brew, for instance during a high tea in Rotterdam!
Address
Oude Binnenweg 109A, 3012 JB Rotterdam
8. Watch a movie in the private cinema of Hotel New York
This is a very special thing to do during the Christmas holidays in Rotterdam! You have everything you need while watching a movie. The concept offers the possibility to watch the film you want, when you want and with whom you want. This experience also offers you the luxury of determining the settings for temperature, volume and light in the room and you can pause the film at any time.
Read more about this private cinema in Hotel New York.
Address
Koninginnenhoofd 1, 3072 AD Rotterdam
9. Enjoy a festive Christmas dinner at your restaurant
It’s wonderful not to spend whole days in the kitchen yourself during Christmas, isn’t it? Come on, treat yourself! Celebrate Christmas outside the door and be surprised by the festive Christmas menus from the best restaurants in town.
Discover all restaurants in Rotterdam where you can have a Christmas dinner
10. Go up high with the Euroscoop
As you are taken on this exciting ride, you’ll see the city and its surroundings from every angle. It’s a must-do this Christmas holiday!
We’ve already taken a ride on the Euroscoop ourselves. Check out our TikTok to see how it went!
TIP: Buy your ticket for the Euromast in advance here. The ticket price is higher when you purchase tickets on the day of your visit. Don’t forget to select the Euroscoop ticket option!
Address
Parkhaven 20, 3016 GM Rotterdam
11. Visit Cinerama or another movie house
The cold is a good reason to visit one of the local cinemas in Rotterdam! In the city you will find nice movie houses such as Lantaren Venster, KINO and Cinerama. The latter is shown above.
Of course there is also the option to go to Pathé and check out the latest blockbusters. But the smaller cinemas always remain just that little bit more atmospheric and certainly fit better with the Christmas holidays. Do you agree?
12. Visit Depot Boijmans van Beuningen
Everyone should see the big shiny coffee cup in Museumpark! It is already an icon in our city because of its reflective exterior and special architecture.
Fun fact: Depot Boijmans van Beuningen is the very first art depot in the world that is actually accessible to the public. Walk around and admire between 151,000 art objects and watch the conservation and restoration of art.
In addition, visitors and residents can go to the freely accessible roof garden with restaurant to enjoy the view over Rotterdam.
Address
Museumpark 24, 3015 CX Rotterdam
13. Take an Audiovisual journey in Remastered
Haven’t been to the Remastered Experience yet?! Then the Christmas holidays are the ideal time. In this attraction you will be taken on an audiovisual journey for an hour and you will become one with the art.
Walk under a waterfall, go on an adventure with the unearthly creatures of Hieronymus Bosch, learn to travel in time and surround yourself with the paintings of Old Dutch Masters such as Van Gogh and Mondrian. Each time you enter a new world and you don’t know what to expect.
Read more about this unique attraction in the city here. Buy your ticket in advance via this link.
Address
14. Visit Miniworld Rotterdam with (or without) kids
Do you want to do fun activities with kids during the Christmas holidays? Fortunately, there are plenty of fun things to do for kids in Rotterdam.
One fun attraction to go to is Miniworld Rotterdam. It is a covered miniature world of Rotterdam. Here the kids discover the world in miniature, a unique way to get to know the metropolis of Rotterdam better!
Expect more than 650 square metres of Rotterdam polder landscapes, modern and historic architecture and, of course, the Port of Europe. Everything is surprisingly detailed. Really a top place for a family outing in Rotterdam during the Christmas holidays!
TIP: already purchase your tickets for Miniworld Rotterdam!
Address
Weena 745, 3013 AL Rotterdam
15. Get some oliebollen
It’s that time of year to enjoy oliebollen, and luckily, you’ll find plenty in Rotterdam! But there can only be one winner, and this year, Oliebollenkraam Nico Sterrenberg is number 1 in Zuid-Holland.
Although the stall is just outside Rotterdam, in Schiedam, it’s definitely worth the visit! We had the chance to try their oliebollen, including the special Dubai oliebol, which is currently going viral.
Address
Koemarkt, 3111 JH Schiedam
16. Take a day trip
De Passage in Den Haag. Foto door @marionro.cks.
Rotterdam is a great city, but sometimes it is nice to take a break and explore other places. A big plus: you don’t have to travel far to explore other beautiful places.
For example, visit The Hague, the third largest city after Amsterdam and Rotterdam, as well as the administrative and royal capital of the Netherlands.
The city has many beautiful buildings that you can discover during your visit and you can enjoy shopping and delicious food. In The Hague, for example, you have the De Passage, strongly inspired by Parisian galleries, a fine example with its arcades and glass domes.
Travelling to The Hague from Rotterdam is easy, because you can take the metro (line E) or the train to The Hague. Discover more great places near Rotterdam.
Hopefully you have gained enough inspiration from this article to make your Christmas vacation in Rotterdam a smashing success full of fun activities. Have fun and happy holidays.
