Museum Market takes place outdoors, in the middle of Museumplein. Between the pond and the trees are rows of small stalls, no permanent stores but temporary stands full of art, fashion and design. The square is sandwiched between major museums like the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum, so you literally walk right from an exhibition into the market.
The market revolves around independent designers, artists and makers selling their own work. You'll see illustrations, paintings and graphics, as well as clothing, bags, jewelry and interior design items. Much is locally designed and made in small editions, so you'll come across things you won't easily find in a regular store. It's the place where creative entrepreneurs showcase their stuff directly to the public, without an in-between layer.
What defines the atmosphere are the mix of audiences and the setting. Residents who "just walk across the square," museum visitors with a ticket still in their jacket pocket and tourists who linger at a conspicuous stall: everything mixes together. Because it is a day market, everything concentrates during the day; you walk past stalls while around you feel the bustle of the square and museums.
What sets the mood are the mix of audiences and the setting.
What makes this market strong is the combination of place and content: high visitor numbers due to its location in the museum district, coupled with an offer that revolves around current design and craft. For designers, it's a stage; for visitors, an easy way to buy makers' work directly, whether it's a piece of art for the wall, a piece of jewelry or a gift for the home.