“Have A Royal Winter’ is the festive winter programme of The Hague, the winter city of the Netherlands. Here’s a selection: the Royal Christmas Fair, the Grand Christmas Cirque and Carnivale, skating and toboggans rinks near the impressive Kurhaus building, shopping in beautifully decorated downtown areas, the New Year’s eve shows, concerts and museums, light art inside the Kurhaus and Ridderzaal, the bonfire and traditional Unox New Year’s dive.
Everyone will have a blast regardless of age or budget. Enjoy the experience and Have yourself a Royal Winter…
A CITY FULL OF LIGHT
The city of The Hague is having a bright winter season in different ways. During The Hague HighLights, enchanting light projects will take place at the Binnenhof and Kurhaus (beach side) every Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 18 December.
On Saturday 1 December, the Light Air Show will premiere in the Netherlands above the Scheveningen coastline, with aircrafts and helicopters presenting an impressive light show above the sea.
During the Scheveningen Light Walk on Saturday 8 December, tens of thousands of people will take a walk along the art coast at the seaside resort. From Saturday 8 December onwards, at least 75 entrepreneurs located in The Hague’s downtown will try to claim the TINK Amazing Shop Windows award, the largest winter shop window contest in the Netherlands.
From Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 December, Madurodam will sparkle during VONK18, literally putting the Netherlands in a different light. On the beach right in front of the Kurhaus building, you are welcome to watch spectacular Winter fireworks in December (except on 30 December), and on Wednesday 26 December the Scheveningen Bonfire will be brought to life. Say goodbye to this year along the Hofvijver, joining the national countdown moment and Firework show.
SPORTS, ART & CULTURE WITH A WINTER TOUCH
Those of you wanting to be on the move all the time, are kindly invited to top-level adrenalin sports on 1 December at the Grote Markt, during Rock A Rail, the snowboard event for the low lands. As from Thursday 27 December the Carnivale festival, the famous winter fair, will welcome you all to the Huijgens Park.
Carnivale offers visitors a magical world with thousands of lights, extravagant artists, warmth and cosiness. Also this winter season, those of you visiting the city of The Hague will draw inspiration from wonderful exhibitions in one of the many museums the city has to offer, beautiful (Christmas) concerts, events and New Year Eve’s shows.
ENJOY LATE NIGHT (WINTER) SHOPPING
In November and December, The Hague’s downtown will be your perfect destination to spend a day (winter) shopping. Visit beautifully decorated department stores like Bijenkorf, at a stone’s throw from fashion boutiques and concept stores.
On Grote Marktstraat during the weekend of Saturday 15 December and Sunday 16 December, and also from Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 December, shoppers are welcome to enjoy outdoor entertainment like choirs and street theatre, and reload at the Royal Christmas Fair Food Market, with food trucks selling tasty bites. Enjoy winter entertainment in the style of the Royal Christmas Fair. From 14 December onwards, Denneweg will dedicate Fridays and Saturdays to something called the Denneweg Winter Days with a heart-warming programme.
Shops downtown are celebrating this holiday season with extended hours to make sure everyone has every opportunity to find the perfect Christmas gift. Some of the department stores in The Hague’s city centre will even welcome shoppers on New Year’s Day.
January and February will be all about refreshment and active events like the Unox New Year’s Dive on New Year’s Day. For the 12th time in a row, Cool Event Scheveningen will bring you a 600 m² skating rink called Kurhausplein on Ice. From Saturday 1 December to mid-January, a very ‘cool’ Ice Toboggans Rink and very special Ice Sculpture Show will be held on the beach next to the Pier.
A list of all the events is available on www.denhaag.com/winter
