Christmas carols, intriguing tales, tables filled with delicious food, twinkling lights, spending quality time with loved ones, endless holiday movies, and a Christmas tree decked in the most treasured ornaments. It truly is the most magical time of the year! Are you looking for fun filled activities fit for the season with your little ones? Or plan to spend more time with the kids instead of the kitchen? Keep reading for the ultimate Christmas vibes in Haarlem. Happy Holidays!
Christmas in the KoepelKathedraal
Have you ever been underground in Haarlem? To get into the holiday spirit, you and your little one can visit the underground chambers of the KoepelKathedraal. Follow along the 80 meters long tracks of the model railways and be sure to be amazed by the cozy lights and miniature villages. From Santa’s winter wonderland, to scenes straight out of a Charles Dickens’ book, and see if you recognize any of the old Dutch landscapes. You and your little one are sure to have a wonderful experience. At the end you can talk about all the things you’ve seen while enjoying a cup of hot chocolate and a slice of apple pie or a delicious oliebol.
And while you’re there, have you ever climbed the towers to get a wonderful view of Haarlem from the top?
A new adventure awaits!
Suitable for all ages
Date & Time: December 17th – January 8th, opened daily from 13:00-17:00pm.
Tickets: From 13 years of age, a ticket costs €8,50 at the door or €7,50 online. Children 5-12 years of age pay €4. Children ages 0-4 are free. Please be aware that a €1,50 will be charged for online transactions.
Where: Leidsevaart 146, Haarlem
Website: visit koepelkathedraal.nl for tickets.
The Christmas Story at Theater Elswout
Known as the perfect location for a beautiful (winter) stroll, the Elswout estate also harbors the cozy Theater Elswout. A tiny cottage filled with stories.
Through an interactive story, narrator Wijnand Stomp will tell you all about the mean innkeeper, a woman looking for a place to stay and a baby about to be born in a barn.
Will your little one help find the happy ending to this story?
Date & Time: December 17th from 10:00-11:00am,
December 24th from 10:00-11:00am, 15:00-16:00pm,
December 18th and December 25th from 15:00-16:00pm.
Suitable for all ages
Tickets: €10 (for adults and children alike)
Where: Elswoutslaan 24-a, Overveen
Website: visit theaterelswout.nl for more info.
Christmas at Caprera
Is your little one eager to sing-along to Christmas songs? or decorate cupcakes?
On December 18th, it will be Christmas at Caprera!
For the second year in a row, Caprera will be decked in cozy lights, market stalls that closely resemble the ones at a Christmas market, tons of activities for children and ofcourse, live music. You can nibble on a hamburger, or sip some hot chocolate. Or how does split pea soup or a glass of mulled wine sound? Feel like dancing to funky tunes? Well why don’t you take part in the silent disco! Or get some last minute gifts by making your own candles.
Be sure to visit! And when you are ready for a break from all the activities, you can stroll past the nativity scene complete with a donkey, ox and other barn animals. There is plenty to do at Caprera!
Suitable for all ages
Date & Time: December 18th from 11:00-16:00pm
Tickets: free of charge
Where: park and outdoor theater Caprera, Hoge Duin en Daalseweg 2, Bloemendaal
Website: visit caprera.nu for more info.
Sing-Along concert at the Philharmonie
An annual tradition that is set to take the stage again this year, is the sing-along Christmas concert in the Grote Zaal of the Philharmonie.
On December 24th, actress and presenter Nienke de la Rive Box, will read a beautiful new Christmas story written by Dutch children’s book author Ank Kranendonk. The story will be accompanied by live music and the Haarlem children’s choir.
And if you and your little one recognize a Christmas classic, be sure to chime in and sing your heart out!
A family fun filled activity to kick off the holidays.
Suitable for all ages
Date & Time: December 24th from 16:00-17:15pm
Tickets: €12,50 (for children and adults alike), includes hot chocolate, mulled wine or lemonade
Where: Philharmonie Haarlem, Lange Begijnestraat 11, Haarlem
Website: visit theater-haarlem.nl for tickets and info.
(Children’s) Christmas menu by MarleenKookt
Want to enjoy a delicious meal fit for the holidays (and your little dinner guests) but prefer visiting one of the above mentioned activities rather then spending the day in the kitchen?
MarleenKookt offers a festive Christmas menu that can be delivered right to your doorstep. Fancy 4 (adults) and 3 course meals (kids) made with fresh ingredients and the option to choose meat, fish or vegetarian. This could just be the perfect solution to being able to spend more quality time with loved ones while enjoying a delicious dinner perfect for the holidays.
Costs: The adult menu is €42,50 per person and the 3-course dinner for children is €19,95 and the option to order side dishes at an extra cost.
Website: visit marleenkookt.nl for more info.
Text by: Eva Cameron-Bakker
Translated by: Fatima Fazli-Vermeulen
Cover picture: Eva Cameron-Bakker
Accompanying pictures were taken at various locations.
This blog was written in collaboration with Caprera, the KoepelKathedraal, MarleenKookt, Stadsschouwburg & Philharmonie Haarlem and Theater Elswout. Interested in collaborating? Click here.
Be sure to visit our Facebook and Instagram pages for more info and child-friendly tips.
Or purchase the Mugjes e-book, filled with over 200 locations and activities for children aged 0-7, here.
