Free plans are the ones you can say yes to on a whim. This list pulls together the free family events coming up around the city: kids' festivals, street theater, library shows, lantern walks and neighborhood celebrations. It updates itself as dates roll by, so check back before each weekend.
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.
Kids find out what children played with in Roman times, about 2,000 years ago: balls, dolls, marbles and knucklebones, often made by the kids themselves.
Then they get to work with clay and felt alongside an (almost) real Roman lady and make a Roman toy of their own. It suits kids who like history or making things with their hands.
Lichtjesavond is the evening Delft's old center lights up for winter, part of the city's Delft Verlicht season. Families wander the lit streets and canals, stopping for Christmas choirs, concerts and theater in churches and venues, with plenty happening outdoors too.
It suits kids who are happy on foot on a cold winter evening. A silent disco and sing-alongs give them something to join in, not just watch.
The Royal Christmas Fair is an open-air Christmas market on Lange Voorhout, in the center of The Hague. There's nothing to book: you walk in, browse the stalls and leave when the kids have had enough.
It works as a short stop on a winter walk through the city center, and suits families who want some festive atmosphere without planning around a set start time.
Free plans are the ones you can say yes to on a whim. This list pulls together the free family events coming up around the city: kids' festivals, street theater, library shows, lantern walks and neighborhood celebrations. It updates itself as dates roll by, so check back before each weekend.
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.
Kids find out what children played with in Roman times, about 2,000 years ago: balls, dolls, marbles and knucklebones, often made by the kids themselves.
Then they get to work with clay and felt alongside an (almost) real Roman lady and make a Roman toy of their own. It suits kids who like history or making things with their hands.
Lichtjesavond is the evening Delft's old center lights up for winter, part of the city's Delft Verlicht season. Families wander the lit streets and canals, stopping for Christmas choirs, concerts and theater in churches and venues, with plenty happening outdoors too.
It suits kids who are happy on foot on a cold winter evening. A silent disco and sing-alongs give them something to join in, not just watch.
The Royal Christmas Fair is an open-air Christmas market on Lange Voorhout, in the center of The Hague. There's nothing to book: you walk in, browse the stalls and leave when the kids have had enough.
It works as a short stop on a winter walk through the city center, and suits families who want some festive atmosphere without planning around a set start time.
