Deventer
Charles Dickens fans take note: Deventer hosts an annual Dickens Festival. During this weekend, the characters from Charles Dickens' novels come to life and you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into a 19th-century English town. And not unimportantly, entrance is completely free of charge! Besides the Dickens Festival, you can visit two charming Christmas markets in the city. By train, you reach Deventer in just 45 minutes, making it the perfect destination for an enjoyable day trip.
Münster
For charming, traditional Christmas markets, you can never go wrong with our German neighbours! In Münster, just across the border, there are no less than six different Christmas markets held in the city centre, all within walking distance of each other. With around 300 beautifully lit stalls offering unique gifts, handmade products and, of course, all kinds of delicacies such as apfelstrüdel, bratwurst and käsespätzle, there is plenty to see (and taste!).
Also convenient: Münster is easy to reach by a direct train from Enschede. In about an hour, you will arrive in the city centre of Münster, from where you can walk straight to the first Christmas market. Be sure to bring your friends along, because for a fixed amount you can buy a cheap group ticket for up to 5 people.
Bad Bentheim
Looking for a cosy, smaller-scale Christmas market? Then head to Bad Bentheim, just across the border. The location makes this Christmas market very unique, as it takes place on the grounds of Bentheim Castle. During your visit to the Christmas market, you can also visit the exhibition rooms of the castle itself. The Christmas market is open from Friday to Sunday and entrance costs €8. Bad Bentheim is easy to reach by train: from Enschede, you can get there in just half an hour!
Valkenburg
For a unique Christmas market experience, Valkenburg is the place to be! What makes this market so special is its location: most of it takes place in the underground marlstone caves of Valkenburg. In the three different caves, you will find all kinds of cosy stalls, Christmas lights and light sculptures that create a magical atmosphere. There is also plenty to do above ground. Here you can enjoy live music, wintery snacks, more stalls and even a parade.
For the Christmas markets in the caves, you have to buy tickets for around €10 each. The Christmas market in Valkenburg is very popular, so book in advance! Valkenburg is quite a journey from Enschede, but it’s well worth it if you make a weekend trip out of it. You could easily spend two days there, or combine it with a visit to the Christmas market in Maastricht or Aachen!
Düsseldorf
One of the best (and biggest!) Christmas markets in Germany can be found in Düsseldorf. Scattered throughout the city are seven Christmas markets, each with its own theme. A must-try is a ride on the Ferris wheel! With a height of almost 50 metres, it offers a fantastic view of the entire city. Prefer to keep both feet on the ground? Then go ice-skating on the ice rink and warm up with chocolate milk or glühwein afterwards. Unfortunately, Düsseldorf is not a quick trip from Enschede with public transport, so be sure to invite a friend with a car or book a bus trip online!
Enschede
Prefer to stay close by? No problem, because in Enschede you can also enjoy the Christmas spirit in December. While there is no traditional Christmas market with stalls, there is still plenty to do. During Winters Enschede, the city centre is decorated with beautiful lights and you can skate on the ice rink on the Oude Markt. Moreover, there is a free light art route with light projections throughout the city centre. Perfect for a cosy afternoon or evening with friends, without having to travel far!
