This year visit Valkenburg Christmas Market, the Most Beautiful Christmas Market in the Netherlands.

Christmas Town Valkenburg / Kerststad Valkenburg

The rumour goes that Santa actually comes from Valkenburg aan de Geul…You see, as days get shorter, Valkenburg – in the ever so enchanting Heuvelland region in de Southern part of the Netherlands – transforms into a cosy and delightful Christmas town.

From 14th November 2025 until 4th January 2026 the small town of Valkenburg, situated on the river Geul in Zuid-Limburg, turns into ‘Kerststad Valkenburg’. In 2024 Valkenburg can call itself European City of Christmas. In Valkenburg – immersed in a magical atmosphere, with a paradise of twinkling lights and beautifully decorated Christmas trees – you see, smell, hear and taste Christmas in everything and there are numerous things to do! 

Underground and aboveground

Underground, you can visit the unique Christmas markets in the Gemeentegrot (Municipal Cave) and Fluweelengrot (Velvet Cave). Be amazed at Mergelrijk, where dozens of informative stories about marlstone and caves are told, set against a Christmas backdrop, with beautiful marlstone sculptures, works of art, films and interactive tablets. In Winter Wonderland, at the Wilhelminagrot (Wilhelmina Cave), you can be amazed by beautifull sandsculptures by artist form all over the world.

Be sure to be back above ground in time to watch the fascinating Christmas Parade with its illuminated floats and beautifully costumed dancers and enjoy a stroll through Santa’s Village. Having an appetite? The culinary walking tour ‘Route d’Amuse’ takes you to the best restaurants of Valkenburg.

No wonder that Valkenburg is the number one Christmas town of The Netherlands!

THE CHRISTMAS CAVES

From November 14 until December 30, 2025, both the Municipal Cave and the Velvet Cave will be transformed in their own unique way into Valkenburg’s enchanting Christmas Caves.

CHRISTMAS MARKET MUNICIPAL CAVE

The Gemeentegrot (Municipal Cave) is the largest, oldest and most frequently visited underground Christmas market in Europe. Be amazed by the remarkable displays and decorations, which are in complete harmony with the stalls, offering a large range of beautiful Christmas items and gifts. The long and spacious corridors, that characterize this cave, invite you to while away the hours. 

CHRISTMAS MARKET VELVET CAVE

The Velvet cave will be transferred into the unique, atmospheric, and internationally renowned ‘Kerstmarkt Fluweelengrot’ (Christmas Market Velvet Cave). In this age-old, captivating environment, you will find many festive stalls, which offer Christmas and gift items to suit all tastes. Come and see the magic! 

CHRISTMAS MINIATURES AT MERGELRIJK

Visit the MergelRijk cave to admire the countless Christmas wonders. Soak up the details, the hundreds of tiny houses, the moving attractions, and the thousands of figurines and Christmas trees. The festively lit cave with its enchanting Christmas decorations and stunning marl statues also tells fascinating stories about caves and marl. Everyone can make their own marl souvenir in the cave workshop. 

CHRISTMAS AT AMUSEMENT PARK CABLE CAR VALKENBURG 

Step into the Wilhelmina Cave and discover the Christmas story in a life-sized nativity scene. Continue the fairytale journey with a ride on the magically illuminated cable car, gliding above Valkenburg’s hills and twinkling lights. At the top, take in the stunning views over the city before testing your skills at the Adventure Mini Golf Course, racing down the toboggan runs, or challenging your friends to a curling match.

CHRISTMAS CRIB WALK

Experience the Christmas atmosphere in peace. A good counterpoint to all the Christmas hustle and bustle in Christmas Town Valkenburg are the Christmas Crib walks in the outskirts of Valkenburg. From December 6, 2025 until January 3, 2026, multiple routes lead you past dozens of Christmas cribs, various crosses and chapels. These walks are the ideal opportunity to enjoy the Christmas spirit at a slower pace.

LET THE CHRISTMAS PARADE ENCHANT YOU

The annual ‘Christmas Fairytales’ parade features beautifully lit floats and dancers in breath-taking costumes. During the Christmas season, the parade will make two appearances a week in the centre of Valkenburg. You can enjoy the entire 25-minute parade on Wednesdays and Saturdays until December 27, except on December 24.

ROUTE D’AMUSE

Walk through the beautiful town of Valkenburg on the river geul, and indulge yourself with ‘amuse-bouches’ on your way. From November 14 2025 until the 4th January 2026 there is a choice of two different routes, that you can walk daily between 11 AM and 6 PM.

Valkenburg's not to miss events at Christmas: 

• Discover this year’s Santa’s Village Valkenburg: cosy Winter Pavilion, meet Santa, festive stalls and a 7-metre singing Christmas tree.
• Christmas markets above-ground and underground (in marlstone caves)
• Life-size and miniature nativity scenes
• Route d'Amuse
• Street theater
• and last but not least: the Christmas Parade

For additional information, visit our website www.kerststadvalkenburg.nl 

Valkenburg is unique for Christmas activities in its marlstone caves. Shop till you drop in one of the Christmas Markets or experience the life-size or miniature Christmas cribs.

Twice a week during Christmas Town Valkenburg, a fairy-tale parade passes through the old streets of the town. The historic centre forms a spectacular backdrop for the light procession with richly decorated floats, catchy music and groups of dancers in beautiful constumes. This year for the 15th time.

Got hungry from all that underground shopping? At ‘Route d'Amuse’ you get a taste of the atmosphere above ground. During one of the three culinary walks you will discover four restaurants and their appetizing amuses, but not only that. You'll also discover part of Valkenburg on foot! Not done exploring yet? With the Christmas Crib Walks you will discover different village centers around Valkenburg Nativity scenes, chapels and wayside crosses lead the way while you enjoy the Limburg countryside.