Christmas activities in December

Source: Maastricht International Playgroup

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CHRISTMAS MARKETS

20 November – 23 December - Christmas Market in the municipal grotto of Valkenburg http://www.valkenburgpromotion.nl/en/index.php

20 November – 22 November - Christmas Market in the velvet cave of Valkenburg www.kasteelvalkenburg.nl

28 November 2009 – 03 January 2010 – Winterland Maastricht www.winterland.nl (ENGLISH WEB) at Vrijthof Square, Maastricht

More info on Dutch, Belgian and German Christmas markets can be found on www.christmasmarkets.com + http://www.holland.com/uk/culturalholland/events/christmas-holland.jsp.

Huis van Sinterklaas

From Friday, 27 November till Saturday, 5 December you can visit the home of Sinterklaas, see for yourself where Sinterklaas sleeps and even visit the stables where his horse is being looked after!. Although we have not been ourselves, friends have been twice and enjoyed their visit. Entrance is free, but donations are welcome.  Upon arrival at Begijnhof, you will receive a ticket with a time on it, so you know when it is your turn to visit “het huis van Sinterklaas”.
Huis van Sinterklaas - http://www.huisvansinterklaas.be/, Begijnhof, Speelhoflaan, 3800 Sint-Truiden, Belgium (past Tongeren and a 45 minute drive from Maastricht). Opening hours: Friday: 16:00-18:00, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday: 13:00-17:00

13 December 2009

Christmas Market at Kasteelpark Born. For further details: www.kasteelparkborn.nl

16-20 December 2009

Holiday on Ice at MECC Maastricht - http://www.holidayonice.nl/nl-tourschedule-spirit_3C150EA613BD4F7B92E2A53BDAADA965.html

22 December 2009 – 03 January 2010

Limburgs Kerstcircus - http://www.limburgskerstcircus.nl/ in Sittard/Geleen

Miljoenenlijn - http://www.zlsm.nl/downloads/decembermaand2009NL.pdf

6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 December 2009
The Christmas Market Express 2009 - Making a ride with the steam train to the Christmas market in the velvet cave of Valkenburg.

26, 27 & 31 December 2009

A Nostalgic Fairytale - A cosy steam ride with the ‘Miljoenenlijn’.  The ZLSM rides over the famous Million Line right through the hill country.  The steam train consists of a Swedish coal-fired locomotive in front of Belgian coaches built in 1934 (1st class) and 1955 (2nd class).

19 Dec 2009 – 03 January 2010

Fairytale Castle at Hoensbroek Castle

During this years Fairytale Castle event, you’re welcome to visit the enchanted castle. The castle is enchanted and all fairytales have lost their names. Help the wizzard to look for clues of the fairytales in the castle and try to recover the names of the fairytales. Moreover enjoy the festive lighting in various castle halls. Don’t forget to join the special festival mystery hunt for the fairytales. For young and old alike!

Hoensbroek Castle is one of the largest and most beautiful castles in the Netherlands. It’s an exciting and fairytale-like castle with beautiful towers, exciting passageways and a real castle moat to top it all off. The oldest part of the castle dates from 1250. While passing through over 40 splendid castle chambers, you will take a journey back through time. Discover the magnificent ballroom, feel shivers run down your spine in the dungeon, and climb the 60 m high fortified medieval lookout tower. It’s an unforgettable experience!

For further details: http://www.kasteelhoensbroek.nl/html/?me=2&su=0&si=3

26 December 2009 – 03 January 2010 (closed on New Years Eve and New Years Day)

Winter nights at Open Air Museum Bokrijk.  The Open Air Museum which is now closed for winter but will be opened up during festive season.  The 3 different villages will be decorated with many Christmas lights.  You can stroll, stop and eat or drink gluhwein at one of the museum restaurants, listen to music and children will be entertained too.  There will be a punch & judy show (poppenkast) and an old fashioned merry go round! Opening hours: 16:00-21:00, Adults: 5 Euro. Children (6-12): 3 Euro, free parking, no reservations required.  For further details: http://www.winterinbokrijk.be/content.php?hmID=1828&smID=1551

Through December Gaiapark Zoo will also organize several events for children.  GaiaPark is an exciting and modern park, designed and built in line with the newest theories, with spacious and naturally situated accommodations for all the animals. For further details: http://www.gaiapark.nl/index.php?id=935