Weekendo
Bosch Winters Paradepaardje (Den Bosch)
Nostalgic winter square below St John's Cathedral: covered ice rink, Ferris wheel, carousel and café; 5 Dec–3 Jan.
opens Sat 12 December, 11:00
Gnome Days at Heeswijk Castle
Kasteel Heeswijk · Heeswijk-Dinther, NetherlandsSeason12 December – 3 January 2027
Todayclosed
Entrysee below
Whereindoor
€19.50 per person (adults and children), free up to age 1. With a Museumjaarkaart: €12 supplement. Online tickets only.
About the event
Over the holidays the gnomes of De Duimelaars move into Heeswijk Castle, a moated stronghold set in a large park. Families follow a trail through rooms full of Christmas trees and lights, meet the gnomes, make a Christmas craft and watch a musical theatre show. The whole visit takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and is aimed mainly at young children, though siblings and grandparents are welcome. Tickets are sold online only, per time slot. Tip: parking at the castle is free, and 's-Hertogenbosch is ten minutes away if you want to add a city stroll.
Season calendar
December 2026
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
January 2027
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Tap a day to see the hours.
openclosedspecial hours
Opening hours
12 and 13 December, then daily from 19 December to 3 January, except 25 December and 1 January. Slots at 11 am, 12.30, 2 pm and 3.30 pm; the end time shown is an estimate (last slot + about 2 h visit).
| Monday | 11:00–17:30 |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 11:00–17:30 |
| Wednesday | 11:00–17:30 |
| Thursday | 11:00–17:30 |
| Friday | 11:00–17:30 |
| Saturday | 11:00–17:30, 11:00–17:30 |
| Sunday | 11:00–17:30, 11:00–17:30 |
- Fri 25 December — closed. Closed (Christmas Day).
- Fri 1 January — closed. Closed (New Year's Day).
Combine with
Christmas markets nearby for the same trip.
Winterburg Nijmegen
New winter festival in the Kronenburgerpark with a Christmas market, ice rink and music, 10–27 December; small entry fee.
Hamont-Achel Christmas market
Christmas market in Hamont-Achel — from 12 December to 13 December 2026. In the courtyard of the Achelse Kluis abbey: crafts, live music, children's activities, Santa and Achel beer.
Lommel Christmas market
Christmas market in Lommel — 12 December, 13 December, 19 December and 20 December 2026. Free entry. A Christmas village of wooden chalets run by local associations and hobbyists: handmade gifts, decorations and treats.
Biggest Christmas Market of the East (Arnhem)
One Sunday of a big winter market in Arnhem's centre, 100+ stalls, 13 December, 12:00–18:00.
Turnhout Christmas market
Christmas market in Turnhout — from 11 December to 3 January 2027. A Christmas square on the Grote Markt: roller rink, Winter Garden, food and drink chalets, performances and children's entertainment (Winter in Turnhout).
Gnome Days at Heeswijk Castle8 markets nearby