The Bourtange Christmas Market is a seasonal event held in the fortress town of Bourtange in the Netherlands’ Groningen province. Located near the German border, this historic star fortress hosts a Christmas market over three weekends before Christmas. The event transforms the 18th-century town into a cozy little Christmas village, offering visitors a unique historical setting for holiday shopping and celebrations.
The market features nearly 100 stalls selling a diverse range of traditional Christmas items. Shoppers can find holiday decorations, winter clothing including socks, hats, and scarves, along with accessories and beauty products. The stalls also offer handmade soaps, candles, postcards, and art pieces, with many vendors featuring handcrafted and vintage items.
There is a wide variety of food and drinks available at the market, including Dutch favourites like poffertjes (mini pancakes), oliebollen (traditional Dutch doughnuts), kibbeling (fried fish), and Dutch fries. International treats are also offered, such as Bratwurst, crepes, and garlic bread. To keep warm, visitors can enjoy glühwein (mulled wine), hot chocolate, or kinderpunsch.
The Bourtange Christmas Market spreads throughout the entire fortress grounds. Visitors can park for free in the designated parking area outside the fortress, which is a 5-10 minute walk from the village entrance. While parking is complimentary, there is an entrance fee to access the market. Due to capacity limits, visitors may be turned away if the event is sold out, so advance ticket purchase is recommended.
Entrance fee
- €4,50 can be purchased online or upon arrival (€5), but there’s a maximum capacity
2025 Dates
- to be announced
Opening hours on market days
- Saturday: 11am – 9pm
- Sunday: 11am – 6pm
Check out more Christmas markets in the Netherlands!
