10 best Christmassy ice skating rinks in the Netherlands

Ice skating in the Netherlands is wildly popular. In fact, it can be argued that it's the Dutch national sport. Although the Dutch weather rarely allows enough ice for the legendary Elfstedentocht, the Eleven Cities Skating Tour, ice skating has been held in very high regard in the Netherlands for generations.

Not only is the country full of permanent ice skating rinks - Jaap Eden Baan in Amsterdam, Thialf in Heerenveen, De Scheg in Deventer and De Vechtsebanen in Utrecht, for example - Christmas is a time when temporary festive ice rinks pop up in many Dutch cities from long before the holidays right up until well into the new year.

Christmassy ice skating rinks in the Netherlands

Here are some of the most Christmassy skating rinks coming to a Dutch city near you this winter:

1. Floating Ice Rink, Leiden

As part of the Winter Wonder Weeks in Leiden, you can go ice skating on the Floating Ice Rink, which typically takes place around the same time as the Floating Christmas Market. After all the skating fun, you can go and browse the stalls and warm up with a hot chocolate and some traditional Dutch snacks. 

• Date: December 10, 2021 - January 9, 2022
• Time: 10am - 9pm
• Where: Nieuwe Rijn, 2311 EJ, Leiden
• Tickets: 8,75 euros

2. Ice Amsterdam at Museumplein, Amsterdam

Surrounded by some of the most famous Dutch museums, you can enjoy yourself on the ice at Ice Amsterdam. This scenic outdoor ice rink is adjacent to Ice Village Christmas Market, where you can go and stock up on festive goodies.

• Date: November 13, 2021 - January 30, 2022
• Time: 10am - 10ppm
• Where: Museumplein
• Tickets: 6 euros (12,50 euros including skate rental)

3. Rembrandtplein Ice Rink, Amsterdam

On one of the famous city squares in Amsterdam, in the general vicinity of the Amstel River by the Munt and the Pathé Tuschinski Theatre, Rembrandtplein Ice Rink is the perfect location to spend a few hours in the heart of the city in the run-up to Christmas. The ice rink is surrounded by cosy-looking chalets and the trees are adorned with LED fairy lights.

• Date: November 19, 2021 - January 9, 2022
• Time: 10am - 11pm
• Where: Rembrandtplein, Amsterdam
• Tickets: 2,50 euros (7,50 euros including skate rental)

4. Cool Event Scheveningen, The Hague

The 600 square metre ice skating rink in front of the famous old Kurhaus Hotel, is known as Kurhausplein on Ice, which is part of the wider celebration in Scheveningen, Cool Event. The ice rink is surrounded by heated restaurant terraces that offer warm drinks and seasonal dishes. Cool Event Scheveningen has so many fun attractions - visitors can also enjoy the ice sculpture exhibition, snow tubing on the slopes and more. The central activity of Cool Event, though, is by far ice skating.

• Date: November 13, 2021 - January 30, 2022
• Time: 9am - 6pm
• Where: Kurhausplein, Scheveningen, The Hague
• Tickets: 6,50 euros (11 euros including skate rental)

5. Schaatsbaan at Kralingen, Rotterdam

The 400-metre covered ice skating track at the Kralingen in Rotterdam, better known as Schaatsbaan Rotterdam, is striking with its rainbow-coloured roof. There’s also a smaller “Funbaan” for practising your skating skills and for taking part in a game of curling.

• Date: November 27, 2021 - March 4, 2022
• Time: 9am - 11pm
• Where: Kralingen, Rotterdam
• Tickets: 7,50 euros

6. Archeon, Alphen aan den Rijn

Looking to have a little historical fun as you don your ice skates? The ice rink at Archeon offers you just that! A ticket to the park guarantees you free entry to the ice rink, and the winter season celebration also includes plenty of fun and entertainment for the little ones.

• Date: December 11, 2021 - January 9, 2022
• Time: 11am - 5pm
• Where: Archeon archeological living museum in Alphen aan den Rijn, South Holland
• Tickets: Find ticket information on the Archeon website

7. Magical Maastricht

There's plenty to do in Maastricht this winter - including ice skating! A gorgeous covered ice rink takes centre stage in the winter village on Vrijthof Square. There’s even a mini ice rink for children, where they can earn their ice skating diploma. 

• Date: December 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021
• Time: 10am - 8pm
• Where: Vrijthof, 6211 LE, Maastricht

8. Winter Station at the National Railway Museum, Utrecht

Winter Station is a fantastic festive celebration at the National Railway Museum of the Netherlands, complete with an ice-skating rink, face painting and other fun activities for kids, parents and the whole family.

• Date: December 25, 2021 - January 9, 2022
• Time: 10am to 7pm
• Where: National Railway Museum, Maliebaanstation 16, 3581 XW, Utrecht
• Tickets: 9,50 euros or 17,50 euros

9. Gouda Ice Skating Rink, Gouda

Skate around the iconic 15th-century town hall during December and January. The market square, or Markt, where Gouda Cheese Market takes place is the very same location as Gouda Ice Skating Rink (Goudse IJsbaan).

• Date: December 15, 2021 - January 9, 2022
• Time: 9am - 11pm
• Where: Markt, Gouda
• Tickets: 6 euros (8 euros including skate rental)

10. Winter Village Amstelveen

Cosy up with friends or family over a warm cup of hot chocolate and enjoy a day of skating and shopping at the Winter Village in Amstelveen Stadshart. 

• Date: December 4, 2021 - January 9, 2022
• Time: 12pm - 9pm
• Where: Stadshart Amstelveen
• Tickets: 7,50 euros

Plan your trip to an ice skating rink this winter

There are so many ice skating rinks to choose from. Plan your day out enjoying skating coupled with browsing the Christmas markets. Want to find out more about skating? Then check out the best skating rinks in the Netherlands and vintage 1930s footage of ice skating.