Mid-November, the Sinterklaas arrival parade takes over one Dutch city on national television, and then, city by city, everywhere else too. It’s the moment the whole country agrees to lose its mind over a man on a steamboat, and if you’ve got small kids, it’s worth building a weekend around. The tricky part is that every city runs its own version, on its own date, with its own route, so “just show up” isn’t really a plan.
Here’s what’s actually confirmed for 2026 so far: the national arrival, plus the Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague parades. If your city isn’t listed, it’s not an oversight, most local councils don’t lock in their 2026 route and timings until closer to October, so we’ve noted where to check instead of guessing.
If you’re new to the tradition altogether, our guide to Sinterklaas for expat families covers the dates, the gifts, and how to explain Zwarte Piet to your kids without the awkward pause. This one is just about arrival day itself.
The national Sinterklaas arrival 2026: Grave, Saturday 14 November
This year’s landelijke intocht, the televised national arrival, lands in Grave, a small historic town in Land van Cuijk, Brabant. It’s on Saturday 14 November 2026, and it’s the first time in 26 years that Sinterklaas has stepped ashore in a Brabant municipality, the last being Woudrichem back in 2000.
NTR broadcasts live on NPO Zapp (NPO 3) from 12:00, presented by Merel Westrik with reporters Stephanie van Eer and Jeroen Kramer. If you’re not driving to Grave, this is genuinely the easiest way to do arrival day with young kids, put it on, let them watch from the sofa in pyjamas, and save the actual outing for your own city’s parade. Het Sinterklaasjournaal, the daily kids’ news show that builds up to it, starts Monday 9 November and airs every evening at 18:00 through to Pakjesavond on 5 December.
Amsterdam: Sunday 15 November
Amsterdam’s Sinterklaas arrival runs Sunday 15 November, 10:00 to roughly 15:30, and it’s split into a water leg and a land leg. Sinterklaas comes in by steamboat from the Omval, down the Amstel, passing Ceintuurbaan and Sarphatistraat, arriving at the Scheepvaartmuseum (the Maritime Museum) around 11:30. After a break, the parade continues on foot and horseback from Waterlooplein, over the Blauwe Brug, along Utrechtsestraat, Frederiksplein and Weteringcircuit, ending on the steps of Leidseplein and the Stadsschouwburg by around 14:15 to 15:30.
Entry is free. If you’re doing this with a buggy or toddlers who tire out fast, pick one viewing point rather than chasing the whole route, Rembrandtplein and Utrechtsestraat tend to have a bit more breathing room than the packed final stretch at Leidseplein. Sinterklaas then stays in the city through 5 December, so there’s no need to see everything on arrival day itself, plenty more to catch on our what’s on for kids guide for the months that follow.
Rotterdam: Saturday 14 November
Rotterdam holds its own arrival the same day as the national one, Saturday 14 November. Sinterklaas and his Pieten dock at Willemsplein around midday for the official welcome with the mayor, then parade via Boompjes and Blaak toward Grotekerkplein, a route of roughly 2.5 kilometres with stages for music and kids’ activities along the way. It draws a serious crowd, around 25,000 people most years, so get there early if you want your kids up front rather than watching the backs of other people’s coats.
Because Rotterdam and the national broadcast fall on the same Saturday this year, families who want both the TV version and a live parade have an easy option, catch the NTR broadcast from Grave in the morning, then head into central Rotterdam for the afternoon procession.
The Hague: Saturday 14 November
The Hague’s arrival is also set for Saturday 14 November, an all-day event centred on Scheveningen harbour, where Sinterklaas arrives by steamboat before the procession of Pieten and praalwagens (parade floats) heads through the streets into the city centre. Exact timings weren’t published yet as of this guide, so check sinterklaasindenhaag.nl closer to November for the hour-by-hour schedule before you plan your day around it.
What if your city isn’t on this list
Most towns and neighbourhoods run their own small intocht, usually the Saturday or Sunday either side of the national one, and local councils tend to confirm the route and timing only a few weeks out. Your municipality’s website or local Facebook groups are usually faster than the national listings sites for this. It’s also worth checking our events calendar as more 2026 dates get confirmed through October.
A few practical things before you go
- Arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes before the scheduled time if you want a spot with a clear sightline, the crowds along the water routes fill in fast.
- Dress for standing around outside in mid-November, it’s usually cold and often wet, and there’s a lot of waiting between “the boat is visible” and “the boat actually arrives”.
- Bring snacks and something to sit or stand on for younger kids, a lot of these routes involve long stretches with nothing to see until the parade actually reaches you.
- If your child gets overwhelmed by crowds or loud music, aim for a spot near the start of the water route rather than the final stage, it’s calmer and you can leave without fighting through the whole crowd.
- Public transport gets busy and some roads close for the parade, check your city’s traffic announcements the week of, driving in usually isn’t worth it.
Once arrival day is behind you, Sinterklaas season really gets going, gift shopping, school traktaties, and the countdown to Pakjesavond on 5 December. For the fuller picture of how the tradition works and what to expect at home and at school, go back to our Sinterklaas for expat families guide, and keep an eye on our December events guide for what comes next.
FAQ
When does Sinterklaas arrive in the Netherlands in 2026?
The national Sinterklaas arrival is Saturday 14 November 2026, in Grave, broadcast live on NPO Zapp from 12:00. Individual cities hold their own local arrivals on dates that vary, several major ones, including Rotterdam and The Hague, also fall on 14 November, with Amsterdam’s the following day, Sunday 15 November.
Is it worth going to a live Sinterklaas arrival parade with young kids?
It depends on your kid. The atmosphere is genuinely festive and the horses, boats and music are a hit with most children over about three. But there’s a lot of standing around and waiting, so for toddlers or kids who don’t do well in crowds, watching Het Sinterklaasjournaal or the national broadcast at home can be the better call.
Do I need tickets for a Sinterklaas arrival parade?
No, every arrival parade we found for 2026 is free and open to the public. You just show up and find a spot along the route.
What’s the difference between the national intocht and my city’s local one?
The national intocht is the one televised live by NTR each year, hosted by a different city or town annually, it’s really a media event as much as a local one. Your own city or town almost certainly runs a separate, smaller arrival with its own date and route, and that’s usually the one worth attending in person.
