November is two holidays in a row here. On Sint-Maarten (November 11), kids carry homemade lanterns from door to door and sing for candy. Three days later Sinterklaas sails into Scheveningen, and the weeks until pakjesavond fill up with shows and visits. Here's what we checked, from neighborhood lantern walks to the Sint on the ice rink.
A lantern parade for Sint Maarten in the Statenkwartier. Kids walk with their lanterns from one square to another, and Sint Maarten comes to meet them at the end.
It suits families with young children who want a low-key, local outing. It needs no Dutch: the fun is the lanterns, the walk and the music.
A neighborhood lantern parade for Sint-Maarten, the Dutch tradition when children carry lit lanterns through the streets after dark. This one gathers at the Vruchtenbuurt shopping street and has been running for more than a decade.
It suits preschoolers and young primary-school kids who can walk with a lantern in hand. Join the local families.
Sinterklaas sails into Scheveningen harbor on his pakjesboot, the gift boat, and The Hague turns out to greet him. Once the boat docks, he is welcomed on stage, then sets off with his entourage on a ride through the streets of The Hague.
It suits kids who still believe and families who want to see the tradition up close. It is less fun for kids who hate crowds.
De Club van Sinterklaas, the crew from the Dutch Sinterklaas films, puts on a new musical stage show each year, with Sinterklaas making an entrance. Kids sing and dance along to the Club's hits, with live music, humor and fireworks.
The party starts at the door with a Pieten band, then a Pieten disco in the hall. It is all in Dutch, so it suits kids who know the songs.
A Sinterklaas lunch at De Prael Den Haag, with a game show for the family alongside the meal.
It is a sit-down afternoon rather than a quick visit, so it suits kids who can stay at the table for a while and families who want the Sinterklaas outing and lunch in one plan.
Sinterklaas and his Pieten stop by the Cool Event ice rink on the Kurhausplein in Scheveningen, the winter rink by the sea.
The 600 m² rink comes with festive lights, music and the smell of hot chocolate. It suits preschool and primary-school kids who want to see the Sint and skate on the same outing.
November is two holidays in a row here. On Sint-Maarten (November 11), kids carry homemade lanterns from door to door and sing for candy. Three days later Sinterklaas sails into Scheveningen, and the weeks until pakjesavond fill up with shows and visits. Here's what we checked, from neighborhood lantern walks to the Sint on the ice rink.
A lantern parade for Sint Maarten in the Statenkwartier. Kids walk with their lanterns from one square to another, and Sint Maarten comes to meet them at the end.
It suits families with young children who want a low-key, local outing. It needs no Dutch: the fun is the lanterns, the walk and the music.
A neighborhood lantern parade for Sint-Maarten, the Dutch tradition when children carry lit lanterns through the streets after dark. This one gathers at the Vruchtenbuurt shopping street and has been running for more than a decade.
It suits preschoolers and young primary-school kids who can walk with a lantern in hand. Join the local families.
Sinterklaas sails into Scheveningen harbor on his pakjesboot, the gift boat, and The Hague turns out to greet him. Once the boat docks, he is welcomed on stage, then sets off with his entourage on a ride through the streets of The Hague.
It suits kids who still believe and families who want to see the tradition up close. It is less fun for kids who hate crowds.
De Club van Sinterklaas, the crew from the Dutch Sinterklaas films, puts on a new musical stage show each year, with Sinterklaas making an entrance. Kids sing and dance along to the Club's hits, with live music, humor and fireworks.
The party starts at the door with a Pieten band, then a Pieten disco in the hall. It is all in Dutch, so it suits kids who know the songs.
A Sinterklaas lunch at De Prael Den Haag, with a game show for the family alongside the meal.
It is a sit-down afternoon rather than a quick visit, so it suits kids who can stay at the table for a while and families who want the Sinterklaas outing and lunch in one plan.
Sinterklaas and his Pieten stop by the Cool Event ice rink on the Kurhausplein in Scheveningen, the winter rink by the sea.
The 600 m² rink comes with festive lights, music and the smell of hot chocolate. It suits preschool and primary-school kids who want to see the Sint and skate on the same outing.
