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November is when the Netherlands switches the lights on. Children carry homemade lanterns door to door for Sint Maarten on 11 November, Sinterklaas arrives in Grave on 14 November and in Amsterdam on 15 November, and the Amsterdam Light Festival opens its 15th edition on 26 November. The big winter seasons start too, from the ice rink on Museumplein to Winter Efteling.
This free seven-page guide brings together 23 family outings and celebrations across the Netherlands, with dates, areas, age ranges and a short note on why each one is good for kids. It lists the local Sinterklaas arrivals around Amsterdam weekend by weekend, plus light trails, ice rinks and rainy-day ideas, and ends with a printable checklist for children to work through during November.
A peek at what you'll get
A peek inside the free November events guide.
Frequently asked
When does Sinterklaas arrive in 2026?
The national arrival is on Saturday 14 November in Grave (Noord-Brabant), live on NPO 3 from 12:00. Sinterklaas arrives in Amsterdam on Sunday 15 November; the organiser publishes the route and times on sintinamsterdam.nl closer to the day. Local arrivals around Amsterdam continue on 14, 15, 21 and 28 November, and the guide lists each one with its date and area.
When is Sint Maarten?
Wednesday 11 November. In the early evening children walk door to door with homemade lanterns and sing for treats. How big it is depends on the neighbourhood, so ask at school or in your local parents’ group. In Utrecht, the lantern walk De Ronde van Sint Maarten is on Saturday 7 November from 18:00 to 21:00.
When does the Amsterdam Light Festival start?
The 15th edition opens on Thursday 26 November and runs until 17 January 2027. The light art along the canals is free to see on your own; walking and cruise experiences are ticketed. It gets dark early, so you can go with younger children before bedtime.
Is there a school holiday in November?
No. There is no school holiday in November, so weekends are the busy days. Book ticketed outings such as Winter Efteling and Burgers’ Light ahead.
When were the dates in the guide checked?
All dates were checked on 30 October 2026. Plans can change, so check the organiser’s website before you go.
