The holiday season kicks off in The Netherlands with a special celebration: the arrival of Sinterklaas! Every year, this Dutch tradition brings Sint Nicholas and his helpers, the Pieten, to towns and cities all over the country. Here is a handy guide to some Sinterklaas events happening around Haarlem this November.
November 16: Sinterklaas arrives in Heemstede and Overveen
heemstede
Sinterklaas and his helpers will arrive at the town hall at 2:30 pm. He will be welcomed by the mayor before parading down the Raadhuisstraat and Binnenweg. It’s a procession with music, laughter, and treats for the kids.
overveen
Late that afternoon, Sinterklaas will make his way to Overveen. He’s expected to arrive at 3 p.m., and families can take photos with Sinterklaas and the Pieten.
November 17: Sinterklaas parade in Haarlem
Sinterklaas will sail into Haarlem on his iconic Pakjesboot, arriving at the Donkere Spaarne at 1 p.m. From there he will continue his journey through the city streets, riding his white horse. The parade will end at the Grote Markt . Here, the mayor will officially welcome Sinterklaas, and children wil have a chance to hand him drawings, shake his hand, or snap a photo.
November 17: Sinterklaas festival in Zandvoort
For something a little different, head to Zandvoort on November 17. Around 11 a.m., Sinterklaas will arrive by boat on the beach near Badhuisplein. Afterward, he will join in the Sinterklaas Festival, a family-friendly event featuring games and activities for children. Tickets are available for the games area at 2 Euro in advance or 4 Euro at the day itself. Advance tickets can be purchased on November 13 and 15 from 2 p.m – 3 p.m. at Blue Zone, Haltestraat 23c, or from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. Oude Halt, Vondellaan 2b.
november 24: Rooftop Sinterklaas show in heemestede
Catch a unique Sinterklaas event in Heemstede on the rooftop of Jan van Goyenstraat. From 5 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sinterklaas and the Pieten will entertain families. This brings the magic of Sinterklaas to life for kids and adults alike!
how to join the fun
With events throughout the region, there are plenty opportunities to enjoy the arrival of Sinterklaas with family and friends. Haarlem and its neigboring towns offer something for everyone. Don’t forget to tune in to the national arrival of Sinterklaas on November 16 in Vianen, broadcast live on NPO Zapp (NPO 3) at noon, to watch as he steps onto Dutch soil once again.
If you want to know more about the person Sinterklaas, you can read more in this blog post. Another blog post was written about the magic of Sinterklaas and the Dutch traditons that make it special.
Make sure you mark your calendars, bundle up, and bring the kids along for a season of unforgettable Sinterklaas memories!