THE NETHERLANDS
Gouda by Candlelight
The Netherlands Annual Events Looking for something different? With so much to discover, The Netherlands hosts an exciting range of annual events including colourful flower festivals, spectacular parades, traditional markets and atmospheric Christmas fairs. Match the events which appeal most and choose from a range of hotels and dates to suit your clients.
Gouda Cheese Market
KEUKENHOF 2027 (Thursday 18 March – Sunday 9 May) Known as the most beautiful spring garden in the world, Keukenhof’s rolling landscaped parkland provides the backdrop to an explosion of colour with Inspirational gardens and intricate planting displaying 7 million beautiful spring flowering bulbs. A truly unmissable sight, visitors can admire row upon row of multi-coloured tulips in the themed gardens as well as the sculptures and other works of art, and an historic windmill dating back to 1892.
GOUDA CHEESE MARKET (Thursday mornings from April – August)
The historic town of Zundart plays host to the biggest flower parade in the world. This spectacular annual flower festival features nine-metre-tall floats often with moving parts all covered with dahlias. ZUNDERT FLOWER PARADE (5 & 6 September 2027) The historic centre of The Hague is the setting for Holland’s most beautiful Christmas market. With dozens of Christmas houses, thousands of LED lights, atmospheric fires and mulled wine, the market will also host choirs, storytellers and musical performances. ROYAL CHRISTMAS FAIR, THE HAGUE (December 2027) The most beautifully illuminated palace in Holland, the Het Loo Palace is a wonderful venue for a festive day out with magical lighting and a towering Christmas Tree in the impressive grounds and beautifully decorated rooms in keeping with the 17th and 19th centuries in the interior. HET LOO PALACE AT CHRISTMAS (November – January 2027) Amsterdam Light Festival brings magic to the darkest months of the year with a range of lit artworks along the canals of the city, with a special theme every year. AMSTERDAM LIGHT FESTIVAL (December 2027-January 2028) One of the oldest light festivals in Holland, Gouda’s historic town hall windows as well as the windows of buildings in the city centre are lit up with thousands of candles creating a magical festive atmosphere. Visitors can also enjoy a Winter Fair and the lighting of the Christmas Tree lights. GOUDA BY CANDLELIGHT (10 December 2027) Hundreds of thousands of visitors will discover the port of Rotterdam during the World Port Days. With special ships, exciting excursions, spectacle on the water and more! WORLD PORT DAY, WERELDHAVENDAGEN, ROTTERDAM (3, 4 & 5 September 2027 - estimated)
A fascinating insight into the Gouda cheese trade, enjoy a fun morning at the traditional cheese market. Delivered by horse-drawn carts to the square, see the cheeses being weighed on the original scales before traders buy using the traditional method of shaking hands. With the Gouda cheese girls and boys in colourful traditional clothes, you can browse the market stalls for these special cheeses and crafts. Taking place close to Gouda’s beautiful medieval town hall, the popular 2-day event features over 100 talented ceramicists from Holland and further afield who display their works for sale. Browse the different stalls and you may find a wonderful memento of your visit. GOUDA CERAMIC DAYS (6 & 7 May 2027) Held every Wednesday in Gouda’s historic market square you will experience a little of Montmartre Paris! Stroll around the largest open-air antique and brocante market in Holland and find a unique Dutch antique souvenir. GOUDA MONTMARTRE (June-August 2027) NEDERLANDS ICE SCULPTURE FESTIVAL (Mid Dec 2026 to early March 2027 & Mid Dec 2027 to early March 2028) Imagine a place where the icy cold warms your heart. Where winter chill turns into warm admiration. A magical world where creativity knows no bounds and where every step brings a new discovery. This place exists. It is a place where artists from all over the world come together to brave the cold and create spectacular works of art out of ice. This is not just any place. This is the Ice Sculpture Festival. Seeing is believing the breathtaking giant dahlia themed floats as they make their way through the streets of this amazing festival which also offers lively theatre and musical entertainment over a Friday/Saturday in August. CORSO ABBEY SINT JANS (Friday & Saturday in August 2027)
Please see page 20 for some very special Dutch Festive breaks. Ask your Account Manager for more details.
Amsterdam Light Festival
Zundart Flower Parade Credit Erwin Martens
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