On Museumplein, right behind the Rijksmuseum, there’s a market held once a month where you’ll never hear anyone say, ‘I’m selling this on behalf of someone else.’ Museum Market is all about directness: the people behind the stalls are the creators themselves, set among the trees by the pond, selling what they’ve made. Artists, designers, potters—they’re all there in person. No tickets, no lines—just a square that turns into an open-air gallery on Sundays.
The market was launched in 2013 to celebrate the reopening of Amsterdam’s major museums. At the time, the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk, and the Van Gogh Museum were all reopening after years of renovation, and the Museumplein gained a fitting addition: a market that revolves just as much around creativity as the institutions right next to it. The format hasn’t changed since then. Every third Sunday of the month (the fourth in October, due to the Amsterdam Marathon), the stalls reappear.
The square itself does most of the work. No hall, no tent—just the open air among the trees, with the pond as a backdrop and the Rijksmuseum in the distance. Visitors stroll from stall to stall, but they also linger: picnicking on the grass, listening to live music, or joining a workshop or demonstration that’s just getting started. It’s both a market and a place to hang out, without forcing either aspect on visitors.
What you’ll find there varies from edition to edition, but the core remains the same: art and design, fashion and accessories, jewelry, and objects that would fit just as well in a gallery. JL Ceramics brings handmade stoneware and porcelain, while other stalls are filled with paper goods and artisanal products. There are toys for children, and anyone who gets hungry can find organic food and drinks among the stalls. Everything on display is handmade by someone—not ordered from a wholesaler.
The location makes all the difference. A market on Museumplein isn’t just any market on any random square: the context of the surrounding museums gives the stalls a different significance. It’s no coincidence that what’s sold here is right next to the Rijksmuseum—it actually fits right in. For Amsterdammers who are already walking toward the square—whether on their way to a museum or just out for a stroll—the third Sunday of the month is a good reason to take a detour.