Christmas Events for Kids in Haarlem (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

9 min read · Lees in het Nederlands

Rally the corgi has sniffed out the best Christmas events for kids in Haarlem for 2026, and here is what he found: 13 family events across Haarlem and 5 nearby towns, 6 of them free. The magic runs from November 14 (Sinterklaas Arrival in IJmuiden) through December 29, with Der viel zu kleine Nussknacker: Christmas Reading for Kids (November 14), Christmas Fairy Tale with Harp and Hurdy-Gurdy (November 15) and Die leuchtenden Gärten (from December 11) along the way. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in the Netherlands.

What Rally found in Haarlem

  • 13 Christmas events for kids in Haarlem and 5 nearby towns, including Düsseldorf, IJmuiden and Munich
  • 6 free events, including Der viel zu kleine Nussknacker: Christmas Reading for Kids (The Far Too Small Nutcracker), Sinterklaas Arrival in IJmuiden (Sinterklaasintocht IJmuiden) and Die leuchtenden Gärten (The Glowing Gardens)
  • Meet Santa: 8 chances, including Christmas Fairy Tale with Harp and Hurdy-Gurdy (Weihnachtsmärchen mit Harfe und Drehleier), November 15 and Advent Wreath Workshop (Adventskranz-Werkstatt), from November 25
  • Parades: Sinterklaas Arrival in IJmuiden (Sinterklaasintocht IJmuiden), November 14, Arrival 2026 and Sint Festival in Zandvoort (Intocht 2026 en Sintfestival Zandvoort), November 15 and Christmas Fairy Tale with Harp and Hurdy-Gurdy (Weihnachtsmärchen mit Harfe und Drehleier), November 15
  • Also on the list: 4 Christmas shows, 1 Christmas light display, 1 Christmas market and 2 story times
  • Season: November 14 (Sinterklaas Arrival in IJmuiden) to December 29 (Krulmuziek: Toddler/Preschooler Concert (ages 2.5+) Christmas Concert)

Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by town, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (registration, ages, what is included).

Free 6Ticketed and paid 7

Free Christmas events for kids in Haarlem

Saint Nicholas visitFree

Christmas Fairy Tale with Harp and Hurdy-Gurdy (Weihnachtsmärchen mit Harfe und Drehleier)

Expand to see the parent tip

As door number 14 of the Lebendiger Adventskalender (Living Advent Calendar), Nancy Thym tells the English fairy tale How the Christkind Became King of the Forest at the Stadtbibliothek Pasing. In between she sings Christmas songs, accompanied by harp and hurdy-gurdy.

In the story, the King of the Forest waits in vain every year for the Christkind, because the Christkind visits the lonely, the sad, the hungry and the sick first. This year the king has a plan. Admission is free. You can register in person on site, by phone at 089 233 772430 or by email.

Parent tip: Ask the library what age the story suits. Expect the storytelling to be in German.

Host
Münchner Stadtbibliothek (opens in a new tab)
Where
Stadtbibliothek Pasing, Grote Markt 2, 2011 RD Haarlem (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Münchner Stadtbibliothek (opens in a new tab)

New events in Haarlem every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Haarlem every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi has 12 more Haarlem events researched for you.

  • New events every week We research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Haarlem.
  • Exclusive access to free events Be first to hear about new free events in Haarlem.
  • Unlock the filters Find Santa visits, free events and weekend plans in one tap.
  • Rally’s Christmas Eve Express and a free advent calendar Get early access to Rally the corgi’s Christmas Eve tracker, plus a free digital advent calendar to count down to Christmas.
  • One-tap add to calendar Save any event to your Google, Apple or Outlook calendar so you never miss it.

Coming up on this page

  • 8 Santa
  • 4 Shows
  • 3 Parades
  • 2 Story time
  • 6 Free

Enter your email to get new Christmas events in Haarlem every week.

Free. One email a week with new events in Haarlem. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy

Christmas craftsFree

Christmas Card Printing Workshop (Workshop kerstkaartjes drukken)

Expand to see the parent tip

Want to send a unique Christmas card this year? At the Noord-Hollands Archief you print your own little Christmas card, old-fashioned, the way it was done 150 years ago. You work with type sorters, vignettes and ink rollers, and print on two real printing presses from 1870. The workshop is meant only for children and families with children.

The workshop is on Wednesday afternoon, Dec 9 and lasts about 45 minutes. You choose a start time: 1 pm, 1:30 pm, 2 pm, 2:30 pm, 3 pm or 3:30 pm. Taking part is free, but you do need to register in advance through the form on the archive's page. A nice, quiet activity for a Wednesday afternoon, and you go home with a handmade card to send. The printing presses are more than 150 years old, so the children really see how printing used to work.

Parent tip: Register through the online form on the page; choose one of the six start times in advance. Expect it to be in Dutch.

Host
Noord-Hollands Archief (opens in a new tab)
Where
Noord-Hollands Archief, Jansstraat 40, 2011 RX Haarlem (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Noord-Hollands Archief (opens in a new tab)

New events in Haarlem every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Haarlem every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Visit with SantaFree

Die leuchtenden Gärten (The Glowing Gardens)

Expand to see the parent tip

When the evenings get darker, parts of the palace park turn into a sea of light. Among old tree canopies, an artfully illuminated, fairy tale world unfolds, and glowing paths lead through mysterious avenues. The event runs from Nov 26, 2026 to Jan 17, 2027, Wednesday to Sunday from 5 to 10 pm, and also on Mondays and Tuesdays during the Christmas holidays.

For families with smaller children, the organizer recommends the early time slots. The family ticket covers two adults and two children between 6 and 15. Tickets are sold online only, and there is no box office on the evening. The Schloss Benrath stop is right at the grounds.

Parent tip: Online tickets only, no box office on the evening. Closed on Dec 24, 25, 26 and 31 and on Jan 1.

Host
Stiftung Schloss und Park Benrath (opens in a new tab)
Where
Schloss Benrath, Grote Markt, 2011 Haarlem (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Stiftung Schloss und Park Benrath (opens in a new tab)

New events in Haarlem every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Haarlem every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Düsseldorf

Saint Nicholas visitFree

Advent Wreath Workshop (Adventskranz-Werkstatt) (Düsseldorf)

Expand to see the parent tip

The workshop invites families to make a glowing Advent decoration together. Atmospheric decorative wreaths are made with materials from nature. The materials are provided, but please bring your own candles and candle holders or add them at home. Garden gloves can be useful if needed.

The workshop takes place in the Pädagogikraum (education room) and lasts about three hours. It goes ahead with five or more participants, and registration is possible until Nov 22, 2026. Booking is through the palace's online shop.

Parent tip: Register by Nov 22, 2026. Bring your own candles and candle holders. Expect it to be in German.

Host
Stiftung Schloss und Park Benrath (opens in a new tab)
Where
Schloss Benrath, Pädagogikraum (education room), Raadhuisplein 3-9, 2132 TZ Düsseldorf (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Stiftung Schloss und Park Benrath (opens in a new tab)

New events in Haarlem every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Haarlem every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in IJmuiden

Saint Nicholas visitFree

Sinterklaas Arrival in IJmuiden (Sinterklaasintocht IJmuiden)

Expand to see the parent tip

On Saturday, Nov 14, 2026, Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) arrives in IJmuiden again. The program begins at 12 pm at the Loswalkade, where the Sint and his Pieten (his helpers) are welcomed.

Then they continue toward the Kennemerplein and Plein 1945, so children can wave once more along the route. The arrival has been organized for years by Stichting Sint Nicolaas Comité IJmuiden and is one of the most talked-about arrivals in the region. The party is free and runs entirely on volunteers and sponsors. IJmuiden is a short drive of a little under 15 minutes from Haarlem. The team of enthusiastic volunteers works on it all year round. Anyone who wants to help or support the foundation can find information about volunteering and sponsorship on the website.

Parent tip: Start at the Loswalkade at 12 pm and walk along to Plein 1945 if you want to see the Sint one more time.

Host
Stichting Sint Nicolaas Comité IJmuiden (opens in a new tab)
Where
Loswalkade, 1976 IJmuiden (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Stichting Sint Nicolaas Comité IJmuiden (opens in a new tab)

New events in Haarlem every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Haarlem every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Munich

Saint Nicholas visitFree

Der viel zu kleine Nussknacker: Christmas Reading for Kids (The Far Too Small Nutcracker) (Munich)

Expand to see the parent tip

Andy Kuhn tells the story from the workshop of Herr Ludwig, where the most beautiful and sturdiest nutcrackers in Europe are made. When the business is close to closing, a tiny, unremarkable nutcracker of all things becomes the hope of the workshop.

The reading is interactive: kids accompany the characters with drums, rattles, clapping and stomping and become part of the action themselves. It is meant for kids ages four and up, lasts about 45 minutes and is free. Registration is possible from Nov 9, 2026.

Parent tip: Registration opens on Nov 9, 2026, and spots tend to go quickly. Expect the reading to be in German.

Host
Münchner Stadtbibliothek (opens in a new tab)
Where
Stadtbibliothek Neuhausen, 2051 Munich (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Münchner Stadtbibliothek (opens in a new tab)

New events in Haarlem every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Haarlem every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Ticketed and paid Christmas events for kids in Haarlem

Admission, tickets or a fee apply. Where a host has not posted a price yet, the listing says so.

Event hosts: free events are listed first. The #1 spot puts your event at the top of this page.Inquire about the #1 spotAdd your event for free

Saint Nicholas visit

Sinterklaas Party at Marsmanplein (Sinterklaasfeest Marsmanplein)

Expand to see the parent tip

On Saturday, Nov 14 the big Sinterklaas party is back on Marsmanplein in Haarlem-Noord. At 2:45 pm the Pietentrio (a trio of Pieten, the Sint's helpers) plays in and around the square, and at 2:55 pm the stage program begins with the Brunodans from dance school Jolein and the new Piet Fiasco Show.

Around 3:15 pm Sinterklaas arrives past the shops and through the passage, accompanied by the Pietentrio. On stage he plays along with Piet Fiasco, and afterward the children dance with Jolein on the square. At 3:45 pm Sinterklaas and Jacqueline announce the winners of the drawing contest, at 4 pm there is a photo moment with the Sint and at 4:30 pm he leaves again. An easy-to-manage party close to home, handy for young children.

Parent tip: Come on time for the photo moment with Sinterklaas at 4 pm.

Host
Winkelcentrum Marsmanplein (opens in a new tab)
Where
Marsmanplein shopping center (Haarlem-Noord) (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Winkelcentrum Marsmanplein (opens in a new tab)

New events in Haarlem every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Haarlem every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Saint Nicholas visit

Sinterklaas Comes to the Grote Vermaning! The Secret of Haarlem (Sinterklaas komt naar de Grote Vermaning! Het Geheim van Haarlem)

Expand to see the parent tip

After his arrival in Haarlem on Nov 15, Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) moves into De Grote Vermaning. Children can look through the window into his study, where the Sint is busy at work. On Nov 15 the roetveegpieten (Pieten with soot smudges on their cheeks, his helpers) are there with pepernoten (little spiced cookies), and there is a mini scavenger hunt with riddles and secret facts about Haarlem, Piet gym and a cuddly-toy car wash.

On Wednesday, Nov 18 and Wednesday, Dec 2 the party is on again, each time from 10 am to 4 pm. Then you can build with LEGO with Toys-Up, write with ink and quill, listen to the best Sinterklaas stories and train at Piet gym. In the big red XXL mailbox you drop your wish list, letter or coloring page; coloring pages that are handed in will go into an exhibition in the Gang.

Parent tip: Bring a drawing, letter or wish list for the XXL mailbox; coloring pages can also be picked up at De Wereld van Jansje.

Host
Doopsgezind Haarlem (opens in a new tab)
Where
De Grote Vermaning, Frankestraat 24, 2011 HT Haarlem (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Doopsgezind Haarlem (opens in a new tab)

New events in Haarlem every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Haarlem every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas lights

Adventssingen (Advent Sing-Along)

Expand to see the parent tip

At the Adventssingen, young and old can get ready musically for the coming Christmas season and polish their repertoire. The sing-along concert is part of the Schloss Benrath music year and is supported by the Stiftung Kunst, Kultur und Soziales der Sparda-Bank West.

There are two performances on Saint Nicholas Sunday (Nikolaussonntag), at 11 am and 1 pm, each in the Großer Festsaal of the Orangerie. The concert lasts about 45 minutes, seating is first come, first served, and doors open 15 minutes before the start. It is recommended for children ages 4 and up. Tickets are sold through the palace's online shop.

Parent tip: Arrive when doors open, 15 minutes before the start, because seating is first come, first served.

Host
Stiftung Schloss und Park Benrath (opens in a new tab)
Where
Schloss Benrath, Orangerie (Großer Festsaal, the Great Hall), 2012 Haarlem (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Stiftung Schloss und Park Benrath (opens in a new tab)

New events in Haarlem every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Haarlem every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Carol concert

Family Sing-Along Christmas Concert (Familie Meezing Kerstconcert)

Expand to see the parent tip

The Familie Meezing Kerstconcert is an annual tradition at the Philharmonie Haarlem: singing Christmas hits with the whole family. The Christmas story is told through well-known Christmas songs, sung by a children's choir and accompanied by a live band. Everyone can sing along, so it is a concert where you do not have to sit still.

The concert is on Thursday, Dec 24 at 4 pm in the Grote Zaal and has no intermission. Children ages 12 and under get in free; for adults, prices go up to €19.50, including a drink. A lovely way to ring in Christmas Eve with the whole family. The concert lasts about an hour, so you are still home in plenty of time for the evening.

Parent tip: Even for the free children's tickets you need to order a ticket, and only a few tickets were left. Expect it to be in Dutch.

Host
PHIL Haarlem (opens in a new tab)
Where
Philharmonie Haarlem, Grote Zaal (Main Hall), Lange Begijnestraat 11, 2011 HH Haarlem (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with PHIL Haarlem (opens in a new tab)

New events in Haarlem every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Haarlem every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas show

Slodde en Vos in Winter Wonderland (3+)

Expand to see the parent tip

Learn the tricks of the mischief trade with Slodde (the Fox) and Vos (the Cat), two friendly rascals who are always up for silliness. Together with Katta the Koala they turn the neighborhood upside down with pranks and musical capers. Slodde en Vos make quirky Dutch-language children's songs for children ages 3 to 8, with lots of interaction.

The wintry show is on Saturday, Dec 26, Second Christmas Day (tweede kerstdag, a public holiday in the Netherlands), from 3 pm to 3:45 pm in the Kleine Zaal of the PHIL. At the end all the children may come onto the stage to dance along. Children ages 12 and under get in free; adults pay up to €23.50, including a drink. A cheerful finish to the Christmas days for families with young children.

Parent tip: A short 45-minute show with no intermission, comfortable for young children on Second Christmas Day. Expect it to be in Dutch.

Host
PHIL Haarlem (opens in a new tab)
Where
Philharmonie Haarlem, Kleine Zaal (Small Hall), Lange Begijnestraat 11, 2011 HH Haarlem (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with PHIL Haarlem (opens in a new tab)

New events in Haarlem every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Haarlem every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Hoofddorp

Carol concert

Krulmuziek: Toddler/Preschooler Concert (ages 2.5+) Christmas Concert (Hoofddorp)

Expand to see the parent tip

During the Christmas vacation, on Tuesday, Dec 29 at 11:15 am, Krulmuziek plays a Christmas concert for toddlers and preschoolers in Theater Kleine Meer at Cpunt in Hoofddorp. The musical group takes children into the string music of great composers, then everyone swings, sings and makes music together with jingling bells in a Christmas mood.

The concert starts gently so shy children can settle in, and peekaboo music soon follows. Sitting still is not required: spontaneous reactions are actually welcome. A ticket costs €12 plus a maximum of €2.50 in transaction fees. The same morning there are also a baby concert (from six months) and a toddler concert (from one and a half years). Theater Kleine Meer is in the Cpunt building on the Raadhuisplein in Hoofddorp, about a 15-minute drive from Haarlem.

Parent tip: For younger siblings there are separate baby and toddler concerts the same morning. Expect it to be in Dutch.

Host
Cpunt (bibliotheek en theater Haarlemmermeer) (opens in a new tab)
Where
Cpunt, Theater Kleine Meer, Raadhuisplein 3-9, 2132 TZ Hoofddorp (opens in maps)
Registration
Required
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Cpunt (bibliotheek en theater Haarlemmermeer) (opens in a new tab)

New events in Haarlem every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Haarlem every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Zandvoort

Saint Nicholas visit

Arrival 2026 and Sint Festival in Zandvoort (Intocht 2026 en Sintfestival Zandvoort)

Expand to see the parent tip

This year too, Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) arrives on the beach in Zandvoort, on Sunday, Nov 15, 2026. An arrival by the sea is a special sight for children.

After the arrival on the beach, the Sintfestival takes place in the center of Zandvoort, with lots of games for children and the chance to shake Sinterklaas's hand. Tickets for the festival are bought on the day itself at the Sint Festival; they cost €4 each. Exact times are not yet on the website, so check again shortly beforehand. Zandvoort is about a quarter of an hour from Haarlem and easy to reach by train. The arrival is made possible in part by the Reddingsbrigade Kennemerland Zandvoort (the local lifeguard association) and local sponsors.

Parent tip: Bring some cash or your bank card for the €4 Sint Festival tickets; it can be quite windy on the beach, so dress warmly.

Host
Sint in Zandvoort (opens in a new tab)
Where
Beach and center of Zandvoort, 2042 Zandvoort (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
Check dates and details with Sint in Zandvoort (opens in a new tab)

New events in Haarlem every week

Rally looks for new Christmas events in Haarlem every day and adds them to this page. Enter your email for one weekly update with the latest finds.

Free. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

More Christmas events for kids in the Netherlands

A story for the trip home

Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents. It is a cozy story to share on the way home after a big day out.

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolour corgi peeking from a red train

A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. Ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon.nl (opens in a new tab)

Christmas events for kids in Haarlem: questions parents ask

What are the 2026 Christmas events for kids in Haarlem?

For 2026, we confirmed 13 Christmas events for kids in Haarlem, each on its host’s own page: Sinterklaas Comes to the Grote Vermaning! The Secret of Haarlem (Sinterklaas komt naar de Grote Vermaning! Het Geheim van Haarlem), Krulmuziek: Toddler/Preschooler Concert (ages 2.5+) Christmas Concert (Hoofddorp), Christmas Card Printing Workshop (Workshop kerstkaartjes drukken) and 10 more. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.

Are there free Christmas events for kids in Haarlem?

Yes, 6 of the 13 events here are free: Christmas Card Printing Workshop (Workshop kerstkaartjes drukken), Sinterklaas Arrival in IJmuiden (Sinterklaasintocht IJmuiden) (IJmuiden), Die leuchtenden Gärten (The Glowing Gardens) and 3 more. Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.

Where can kids see Santa this year in Haarlem?

Where to see Santa: Sinterklaas Comes to the Grote Vermaning! The Secret of Haarlem (Sinterklaas komt naar de Grote Vermaning! Het Geheim van Haarlem), Sinterklaas Arrival in IJmuiden (Sinterklaasintocht IJmuiden) (IJmuiden), Sinterklaas Party at Marsmanplein (Sinterklaasfeest Marsmanplein) and 5 more. Check the listings above for times and booking.

Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Haarlem?

Christmas story times on this page: Sinterklaas Comes to the Grote Vermaning! The Secret of Haarlem (Sinterklaas komt naar de Grote Vermaning! Het Geheim van Haarlem) and Family Sing-Along Christmas Concert (Familie Meezing Kerstconcert).

How do you confirm these events?

We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 9, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.

Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.

The story of Christmas in Haarlem

Haarlem celebrates twice: first Sinterklaas sails up the Spaarne in November, then in December a huge Christmas market fills the old center around the Grote Markt. Here is how it works for a family visiting from abroad, and what your kids will see.

How Haarlem celebrates, and what is different for visitors

Haarlem's Christmas season has two big moments. In mid-November Sinterklaas arrives by steamboat on the Spaarne, the river through the old center, with tens of thousands of people along the route. In December the Christmas market takes over the streets and squares of the historic center.

The market is the star. It started with a few traders and their stalls on the Grote Markt, moved partly to the Botermarkt when the square got too small, and now spreads from the Grote Markt to the Grote Houtstraat. In 2022 a local news outlet called it the largest in the Netherlands, with 350 stalls and an estimated 300,000 visitors over three days.

For a visiting family that means a compact, walkable city with free entry to the market, a giant tree and plenty of lights.

Traditions your child will meet: the steamboat, the tree and the waffles

The Sinterklaas arrival is the first tradition kids meet. Sinterklaas comes by steamboat, Pieten (his helpers) hand out pepernoten from the deck, and a band plays on the water. In 2025 he left Heemstede and arrived around 1:00 pm at the Donkere Spaarne.

In December a very large Christmas tree arrives from Germany. In 2025 it rolled onto the Grote Markt at 6:00 am on December 8 with about 10,000 lights, and it stays until the end of the month. A waffle stand has stood on the Grote Markt for almost fifteen years.

Look up as well: the winter lights above the shopping streets are shaped like the city's big church, the Grote or Sint-Bavokerk.

Planning a Christmas visit to Haarlem with kids

The Sinterklaas season on this page begins on Saturday, November 14, 2026, with neighborhood parties and nearby arrivals in Overveen and IJmuiden. The main arrival in Haarlem's center is on Sunday, November 15, with Sinterklaas landing at the Koudenhorn around 1:00 pm and parading to the Grote Markt. Zandvoort has its own beach arrival the same day.

Later in November there is an evening lantern walk through the illuminated city on November 20, and shoe-setting at libraries in neighboring Haarlemmermeer from November 25. Sinterklaas's workroom at the Grote Vermaning opens on selected days in November and December.

The Christmas market runs December 11 to 13, 2026, and entry is free. Around Christmas there are concerts for families at the Philharmonie, a free card-printing workshop on December 9, and a toddler concert in Hoofddorp on December 29. Several events need tickets or registration, so check ahead.

A church made of light bulbs

The festive lights above Haarlem's shopping streets are shaped like the Grote or Sint-Bavokerk. Local electrical engineer Alain Timmers designed them, and volunteers of the Haarlem Lichtstad foundation hang 150 big ones plus 90 small ones that show only the tower.

In 2021 they went on October 30, the start of winter time, and came down at the end of January. The design had already been hanging for about fifteen years. Before that the street lights were a mix of different bulbs.

Traditions today

  • Sinterklaas sailing up the Spaarne: Sinterklaas arrives by steamboat and parades through the center, with tens of thousands of spectators. In 2026 the main arrival is on November 15 and is free.
  • The Christmas market across the old center: Roughly 350 stalls fill squares and streets from the Grote Markt to the Grote Houtstraat. Entry is free, and in 2026 the market runs December 11 to 13.
  • The church-shaped lights: Winter lights in the shape of the Grote or Sint-Bavokerk hang above the shopping streets until the end of January.
  • The big tree on the Grote Markt: A large tree from Germany arrives early in the morning with about 10,000 lights and stays until the end of December.
  • A lantern walk through lit-up Haarlem: On November 20, 2026 a family walk of 6 km leads from the Haarlemmerhout to the Grote Markt in the evening, with light projections and live acts. Tickets are required.

A fact for kids

The Christmas lights above Haarlem's shopping streets are shaped like a church, the Grote or Sint-Bavokerk. There are 150 big ones and 90 small ones that show only the tower.

Questions about Christmas in Haarlem

Is Haarlem worth visiting at Christmas with kids?

Yes. The old center is compact, Sinterklaas arrives by steamboat on the Spaarne, and the Christmas market is free to enter. There is also a big tree on the Grote Markt and lights shaped like a church.

When is the Sinterklaas arrival in Haarlem in 2026?

The arrival in the center is on Sunday, November 15, 2026, from about 12:00. Sinterklaas lands at the Koudenhorn around 1:00 pm and parades to the Grote Markt. It is free to watch.

How crowded is the Sinterklaas arrival with small children?

Very crowded. In 2025 tens of thousands of people lined the route through the center. Find a spot along the water early if you have toddlers, so you can see the boat and the Pieten up close.

Where did Sinterklaas arrive in Haarlem in 2025?

On Sunday, November 16, 2025 he left Heemstede and arrived around 1:00 pm at the Donkere Spaarne. Pieten handed out pepernoten from the boat and a band played on the water. He then went on through the center.

When is the Christmas market in Haarlem in 2026?

The Haarlem Christmas market runs from Friday, December 11 to Sunday, December 13, 2026. Hours are listed as 10:30 to 20:00 on Friday and Saturday and 10:30 to 19:00 on Sunday. It covers the old center around the Grote Markt.

Is the Haarlem Christmas market free?

Yes, entry is free. You only pay for what you buy or for rides. That makes a short visit with kids easy.

Is Haarlem's Christmas market really the biggest in the Netherlands?

In 2022 a local news outlet called it the largest in the country. That year it had 350 stalls and an estimated 300,000 visitors over three days. It is unusual because it is spread over squares and streets, from the Grote Markt to the Grote Houtstraat, not on one square.

How big is the market in Haarlem?

In 2025 there were almost 350 stalls in 17 places across the old center. The market was held on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What can kids do at the Haarlem Christmas market?

In 2025 there was a family ride on the Grote Markt, stalls with children's items, and photos with Father Christmas. Saturday and Sunday had live music and choirs, and Friday was calmer, which helps with strollers. The 2026 market again lists a children's ride and Father Christmas for photos.

How do you get to the Haarlem Christmas market by car or train?

In 2025 visitors could park at EXPO Greater Amsterdam for 13 euros a day and take a shuttle bus of about twelve minutes. Bikes could go in the bike garage on the Jacobijnestraat. The station is about a ten-minute walk from the market, and parking in the center is limited.

Do kids ride the bus for free during the Christmas market?

In 2025 children traveled free by bus over the market weekend. Whether that returns in 2026 was not known yet, so check before you go.

How long has Haarlem had a Christmas market?

A photo caption shows that Haarlem already had a Christmas market in 1947. The current market began about thirty years before 2022 with a few traders on the Grote Markt. It grew when the market moved partly to the Botermarkt, and then across the center.

Where does Haarlem's Christmas tree come from?

From Germany. The 2025 tree came from Winterberg and arrived on December 8 at about 6:00 am. In 2021 it came from near Osnabrück, found through a network of tree scouts, and was 17 meters tall.

How long does the tree stay on the Grote Markt?

Until the end of December. In 2025 it stood until December 29, and in 2021 until December 30, after which it was chipped up. Some branches went to a cemetery, where they covered graves until March.

Why are Haarlem's Christmas lights shaped like a church?

They show the outline of the Grote or Sint-Bavokerk, the city's best-known building. Haarlem electrical engineer Alain Timmers designed them, and the Haarlem Lichtstad foundation hangs them. There are 150 large lights over the streets and 90 small ones with only the tower on lampposts.

When do the church-shaped lights go on in Haarlem?

In 2021 they went on October 30, the start of winter time, and they come down at the end of January. The design was already about fifteen years old then. Before that the festive lighting was a mix of different bulbs.

Where can kids meet Sinterklaas in Haarlem?

Sinterklaas's workroom at the Grote Vermaning opens on November 15, November 18 and December 2, with a scavenger hunt, stories and a giant mailbox. Neighborhood parties, such as Marsmanplein on November 14, have a Piet show and a photo moment. In Overveen he is welcomed by the mayor on November 14, with time for photos.

Are there Sinterklaas arrivals near Haarlem?

Yes. On November 14, 2026 there are arrivals in Overveen at 2:30 pm and at IJmuiden's Loswalkade from noon. On November 15 Sinterklaas lands on Zandvoort beach, followed by a Sint festival in the center with tickets at 4 euros each.

What is the lantern walk in Haarlem?

The Soellaart Lichtjeswandeling is an evening walk through illuminated Haarlem on Friday, November 20, 2026, starting at 5:30 pm. The route is 6 km from the Haarlemmerhout to the Grote Markt, with light projections and live acts. Children up to 12 pay 7.50 euros and adults 17.50 euros.

What does it mean to put a shoe out for Sinterklaas?

Children leave a shoe so Sinterklaas can fill it with a small gift. In 2026 the Cpunt libraries in Haarlemmermeer let kids leave a shoe from November 25 to December 1 and pick it up from December 2. It is free.

What is there for kids around Christmas in Haarlem?

On December 9 a free workshop at the Noord-Hollands Archief lets families print Christmas cards on 1870 printing presses, and you must register. The Philharmonie has a family sing-along Christmas concert on December 24 and Slodde en Vos in Winter Wonderland on December 26, ages 3 and up. Kids 12 and under are free at both, and there is a toddler concert in Hoofddorp on December 29.

Are Christmas events in Haarlem in English?

Most events are in Dutch, including the Sinterklaas programs, concerts and workshops. The market, the parade, the lights and the tree can be enjoyed without Dutch. If you need English, check with the organizer first.

Are there free Christmas events in Haarlem?

Yes, several. The arrival in the center, the Christmas market entry, the shoe-setting at the libraries and the card-printing workshop are free, though the workshop needs registration. Concerts and the lantern walk need tickets.

Sources

  1. Kerstbomenscouts, Osnabrück en 10.000 lampjes: het verhaal achter de Haarlemse kerstboom, NH Nieuws
  2. Kerstmarkt Haarlem 2025: hét complete overzicht van programma, route, tijden en tips, Haarlems Weekblad (Rodi)
  3. Programma Sinterklaasintocht Haarlem 2025, Haarlems Weekblad (Rodi)
  4. Vergeet Maastricht of Dordrecht: Haarlem heeft de grootste Kerstmarkt van Nederland, NH Nieuws
  5. Haarlemse Kerstsamenzang door tv-uitzending dit jaar 'een thuisbeleving', NH Nieuws
  6. Foto's: zien, Sinterklaasintocht Haarlem 2025, Haarlems Weekblad (Rodi)
  7. Sfeerverslag: Kerstmarkt Haarlem 2025 trekt duizenden bezoekers naar het centrum van de stad, Haarlems Weekblad (Rodi)
  8. Feestverlichting terug in Haarlem: het verhaal achter de iconische 'Bavo-lampjes', NH Nieuws
  9. In beeld: de grote kerstboom is weer aangekomen op de Grote Markt in Haarlem, Haarlems Weekblad (Rodi)

Keep exploring with Rally

Train museums to visit with kidsMerry Christmas in different languagesTrack Rally’s Christmas Eve Express
Kelsey Cecil
Previous

Christmas Events for Kids in Hamburg (2026)
Next

Christmas Events for Kids in Groningen (2026)