Christmas markets · Amsterdam Light Festival
Amsterdam Light Festival 2026–27 and the Netherlands' other Christmas light shows
The 15th Amsterdam Light Festival runs from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027: light artworks made for the canals, lit every evening from 4:30pm to 11pm. Watching from the quays is free; for the water route you buy a canal-cruise ticket. Below: what visitors say about walking versus the boat, and ten more Christmas light shows across the Netherlands, from the castle light walk at Kasteel de Haar to the 366-metre 'Christmas tree' in IJsselstein.
11 markets · checked October 2026
- Amsterdam Light Festival2026: 26 Nov 2026 – 17 Jan 2027Watching from the quays is free; for the water route you buy a canal-cruise ticket from a boat operator.
- De Lumineuze Nachten (Kasteel de Haar)2026: 4 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027Adults €24.50, reduced €19.50; children up to 3 free. Parking €12 in advance or €13 on site.
- Winter Efteling2026: 16 Nov 2026 – 31 Jan 2027
- Lichtjesavond Delft2026: 8 Dec 2026Free.
- Dwaalspoor Dordrecht2026: 10 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027Free.
- Winter Palace Het LooLast season: 28 Nov 2025 – 4 Jan 2026Adults €21, ages 4–17 €9.50, family ticket €53; free with a Museumkaart.
- Lumina Rolduc2026: 11 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027Children 4–16 €9.50, under 4 free; adults: see the ticket shop (early-bird discount).
- Christmas Town Valkenburg (Kerststad)2026: 13 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027The lit town centre is free; the cave markets and attractions use paid timed tickets.
- The Biggest Christmas Tree (Gerbrandy Tower)Last season: 6 Dec 2025 – 6 Jan 2026Free.
- Light Nights at Ouwehands Zoo2026: 17 Oct 2026 – 27 Feb 2027Child ticket up to 12 €20.50; combi-ticket zoo from 2pm + Light Nights €28.50; early bird €3–4 off; dog €5.50.
- Lichtjesparade Lelystad2026: 12 Dec 2026Free.
🧒 With kids
- De Lumineuze Nachten (Kasteel de Haar) · Haarzuilens (Utrecht)
- Winter Efteling · Kaatsheuvel
- Lichtjesavond Delft · Delft
- Dwaalspoor Dordrecht · Dordrecht
- Winter Palace Het Loo · Apeldoorn
- Lumina Rolduc · Kerkrade
✨ Date night
- Amsterdam Light Festival · Amsterdam
- Christmas Town Valkenburg (Kerststad) · Valkenburg
🎉 With friends
- The Biggest Christmas Tree (Gerbrandy Tower) · IJsselstein
Amsterdam
📷 Erik Zachte · CC BY-SA 3.0 · 📷 Kitty Terwolbeck · CC BY 2.0 · 📷 Marion Golsteijn · CC BY-SA 4.0
Festival · Amsterdam
Amsterdam Light Festival
An annual light-art festival: international artists make light artworks especially for Amsterdam's canals, to be seen from the water and from the quays.
✨ Date night🎉 With friendsWhat's there
- Light artworks along and above the canals
- On foot or by canal cruise
- Lights on daily from 4:30pm to 11pm
- 15th edition in 2026–27
What visitors sayGoogle 3.1 ★ · 186 reviews
Visitors who walk the route (about 6.5–8.5 km) recommend the app and find the artworks easier to see from the quays than from a boat; a cruise gives you the stories behind the works, but with reflections on the windows. Some editions disappointed (artworks far apart, little spectacle), while for other families it is a yearly Christmas tradition.
The best-known light event of the Dutch Christmas season — weekday early evenings are the quietest.
- 2026
- 26 Nov 2026 – 17 Jan 2027
- Last season
- 27 Nov 2025 – 18 Jan 2026
- Cost
- Watching from the quays is free; for the water route you buy a canal-cruise ticket from a boat operator.
Getting there and parking
- From Amsterdam Centraal you walk straight into the centre.
- By car: park in a garage or at one of the city's P+R sites.
Worth knowing
- On 31 December the lights go off at 9pm.
- Not every cruise operator is wheelchair-accessible — ask before booking.
Haarzuilens (Utrecht)
IllustrationCastle market · Haarzuilens (Utrecht)
De Lumineuze Nachten (Kasteel de Haar)
An evening walk through the park of the largest castle in the Netherlands, with video mapping on the castle walls, light installations and a symphonic soundtrack.
✨ Date night🧒 With kidsWhat's there
- Video mapping on Kasteel de Haar
- A new story every year
- Walk of about 2.2 km (60–90 minutes)
- Timed tickets
What visitors sayGoogle 3.5 ★ · 276 reviews
Many visitors call it a fairytale light show with a story, good for small children too, and praise the friendly staff. Critics find it expensive (especially with the compulsory parking), had to shuffle along in a queue and found the AI-generated images soulless; the winter café has few seats.
One of the biggest light walks in the Netherlands — book an early slot and count the total price including parking.
- 2026
- 4 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027
- Last season
- 6 Dec 2025 – 4 Jan 2026
- Cost
- Adults €24.50, reduced €19.50; children up to 3 free. Parking €12 in advance or €13 on site.
Getting there and parking
- NS combi-ticket: train + free shuttle Vleuten ↔ castle + entry in one ticket.
- By car: park via Parkweg 5 (not Kasteellaan) and book parking in advance.
- Free bike parking at the entrance.
Worth knowing
- Extra-early tickets every evening.
- Companions of visitors with a disability card also need a ticket.
Kaatsheuvel
📷 JZ85 · CC BY-SA 3.0
📷 Kennyannydenny · CC BY-SA 3.0
Festival · Kaatsheuvel
Winter Efteling
The fairytale theme park in winter, with thousands of lights, winter attractions and shows; fireworks on New Year's Eve.
🧒 With kids🎉 With friendsWhat's there
- Park lit and decorated for winter
- Outdoor roller coasters open as long as the weather allows
- New Year's Eve with fireworks
For families, the biggest winter light experience in the Netherlands — count on a park ticket and crowds in the Christmas holidays.
- 2026
- 16 Nov 2026 – 31 Jan 2027
- Last season
- 10 Nov 2025 – 1 Feb 2026
Worth knowing
- Check opening hours and expected crowds on efteling.com before you go.
Delft
📷 Steven Lek · Public domainHoliday market · Delft
Lichtjesavond Delft
On 'Lichtjesavond' Delft switches on its Christmas lights: the tree on the Markt is lit, with light shows, choirs and street theatre, followed by weeks of 'Delft Verlicht'.
🧒 With kids✨ Date nightWhat's there
- Lighting of the Christmas tree on the Markt
- Light shows, choirs and street theatre in the old town
- Light market
- Start of Delft Verlicht with tall Christmas trees and an ice rink
One of the biggest Christmas evenings in the Netherlands — come early, the Markt fills up.
- 2026
- 8 Dec 2026
- Last season
- 9 Dec 2025 (Delft Verlicht until 4 Jan 2026)
- Cost
- Free.
Getting there and parking
- Tram 1 runs directly from The Hague and Rotterdam to Delft.
- The centre is car-free: park on the edge or at P+R Tanthof and take the tram or bus.
Worth knowing
- 2026: Tuesday 8 December (29th Lichtjesavond, indelft.nl).
Dordrecht
IllustrationHoliday market · Dordrecht
Dwaalspoor Dordrecht
A light trail past illuminated buildings and special spots in the oldest town in Holland, part of the Dordrecht December Days.
✨ Date night🧒 With kidsWhat's there
- Route of about 1.5 km through the historic centre
- Illuminated buildings that tell a story together
- Treasure hunt for children
- Audio tour available
A quiet, free evening walk — combine it with the December market around the Grote Kerk.
- 2026
- 10 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027
- Last season
- 12 Dec 2025 – 4 Jan 2026
- Cost
- Free.
Getting there and parking
- From Dordrecht station you walk into the old town.
- Weeskinderendijk car park: €1 for the first 24 hours; also the Energiehuis garage.
Worth knowing
- Daily 5pm–10pm.
- The route is wheelchair-friendly.
- The new route is announced in mid-November.
Apeldoorn
IllustrationCastle market · Apeldoorn
Winter Palace Het Loo
The royal palace and stable yard dressed for Christmas with thousands of lights and decorated trees; inside, tables laid with the Oranges' historic china.
🧒 With kids✨ Date nightWhat's there
- Thousands of lights and lavishly decorated trees
- Christmas tables in the dining rooms
- Winter treasure hunt for children
- Outdoor lights into the evening
A royal Christmas day out — an easy choice with a Museumkaart.
- Last season
- 28 Nov 2025 – 4 Jan 2026
- Cost
- Adults €21, ages 4–17 €9.50, family ticket €53; free with a Museumkaart.
Getting there and parking
- A shuttle bus runs from the entrance building to the palace.
Worth knowing
- Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am–5pm; longer on some days in the Christmas holidays.
Kerkrade
IllustrationCastle market · Kerkrade
Lumina Rolduc
An evening light-art walk through the historic Rolduc Abbey in Kerkrade.
🧒 With kids✨ Date nightWhat's there
- Light art in and around the abbey
- Open in the evening, 6pm–9pm
- Online tickets per date
A new light walk in South Limburg — easy to combine with Valkenburg's Christmas town.
- 2026
- 11 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027
- Cost
- Children 4–16 €9.50, under 4 free; adults: see the ticket shop (early-bird discount).
Worth knowing
- Tickets only online via the official website.
Valkenburg
📷 Kleon3 · CC BY-SA 4.0
📷 Pitlane02 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · 📷 Kleon3 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Holiday market · Valkenburg
Christmas Town Valkenburg (Kerststad)
All of Valkenburg in Christmas mood: lit streets, the underground Christmas markets in the Gemeentegrot and Fluweelengrot caves, and the Christmas Parade.
🧒 With kids✨ Date night🎉 With friendsWhat's there
- Illuminated centre of the Christmas town
- Christmas Parade on Saturday evenings in November
- Two underground cave Christmas markets
- Santa's Village and Winter Wonderland by the Wilhelmina Tower
The Christmas destination of the Netherlands — come by train and book the caves in advance.
- 2026
- 13 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027
- Cost
- The lit town centre is free; the cave markets and attractions use paid timed tickets.
Getting there and parking
- Park & Train: €19.25 for up to five people — park at a P+R and take the train to Valkenburg.
- Or book a space at Parking Cauberg in advance (about 1.2 km walk to the caves).
Worth knowing
- 2026: Christmas Parade on Saturday 14, 21 and 28 November (Kerststad Valkenburg).
IJsselstein
📷 Gouwenaar · Public domain
Holiday market · IJsselstein
The Biggest Christmas Tree (Gerbrandy Tower)
Since 1992 the 366.8-metre broadcasting mast in IJsselstein has been strung with lights to become the largest Christmas tree in the Netherlands; on clear evenings it is visible up to about 50 km away.
🧒 With kids🎉 With friendsWhat's there
- A 366.8 m mast as a Christmas tree
- Lighting party with food trucks and performances
- Lit until Epiphany
- Visible up to ~50 km on clear nights
What visitors sayGoogle 4.7 ★ · 25 reviews
Locals and commuters enjoy it every year: the tree is visible from far away (from Woerden, for example) and from the motorway, and people who drive beneath it find it impressive up close. Visitors appreciate that the funding comes together every year.
Come for the lighting or drive past in the evening — it is a sight, not a walking route.
- Last season
- 6 Dec 2025 – 6 Jan 2026
- Cost
- Free.
Getting there and parking
- IJsselstein's centre is on bus and tram lines; from there you can already see the mast.
Worth knowing
- The tree is only lit when enough sponsors and donors sign up (De Grootste Kerstboom).
- Combine it with the IJsselstein Winter Fair in December.
Rhenen
IllustrationHoliday market · Rhenen
Light Nights at Ouwehands Zoo
A light festival in the zoo after closing time: themed areas with towering light objects, special effects and a food court.
🧒 With kidsWhat's there
- Towering light objects in themed areas
- Ten light objects designed by children
- Combi-ticket with an afternoon at the zoo
A light festival that runs all winter — ideal with children, also outside the Christmas weeks.
- 2026
- 17 Oct 2026 – 27 Feb 2027
- Last season
- 18 Oct 2025 – 21 Feb 2026
- Cost
- Child ticket up to 12 €20.50; combi-ticket zoo from 2pm + Light Nights €28.50; early bird €3–4 off; dog €5.50.
Getting there and parking
- Park at P1 and P2, right next to the entrance.
Worth knowing
- Not open every evening — check the calendar.
- Dogs are welcome on a short lead.
Lelystad
IllustrationFestival · Lelystad
Lichtjesparade Lelystad
Illuminated floats and figures parade through Lelystad's centre in the evening; during the day a Christmas market on the Stadhuisplein and in the Neringpassage.
🧒 With kidsWhat's there
- Illuminated floats and costumes
- Parade in the evening around 6pm
- Christmas market 12–9pm
A cozy family evening in Flevoland.
- 2026
- 12 Dec 2026
- Last season
- 13 Dec 2025
- Cost
- Free.
Getting there and parking
- Park in the public garages in the town centre.
Worth knowing
- 2025: parade 6pm – about 7:30pm.