The Ultimate Guide to Apeldoorn’s December Events

Discover Some of the Best Activities to Wrap Up 2024 in Style

As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time to celebrate with friends and family and prepare to welcome in 2025. Fortunately, Apeldoorn offers plenty of activities this December to make the season special. Check out some of this month’s top attractions! 

Winter parades & Christmas fairs 

During the first three weekends of December, Apeldoorn’s Winter Parade transforms the city centre into a magical wonderland. Every Saturday, various music acts will perform in the shopping streets, while Sundays feature various parades and street theatre performances that will entertain the crowds and lift the festive spirit. 

The Christmas spirit is everywhere, but it’s especially vibrant at the Brocante Christmas Market, held on 7 December from 11:00 at Spelderholt Castle. The castle enhances the festive atmosphere, with various stalls offering a wide range of products, including vintage and Christmas items. 

On the same date, from 12:00 to 19:00, the Nettenfabriek (Spoorstraat 27b) will host the Winterfabriek event, featuring food, drinks, live music, entertainment and stalls. 

Amid the charm of its historical surroundings, Cannenburch Castle in Vaassen is holding its own Christmas fair from 13 to 15 December, with a host of stalls, lights and beautiful decorations. 

On 14 December, from 11:00 to 17:00, the picturesque village of Kootwijk hosts its Christmas market with over 40 stalls. Visitors can enjoy the market’s offerings along with a varied programme of music and art. 

Dickens Festival 

The iconic Dickens Festival takes place in Deventer on 14 and 15 December. From 11:00 to 17:00 on both days, a 19th century English town will come to life in all its glory. In the Bergkwartier, more than 950 characters from the books of Charles Dickens will step out of the pages. Admission is free.

Fancy a pint? 

Beer hunters can toast to the end of the year at Gigant’s Café on 7 December. From 20:00 to 00:00, customers can enjoy a 10% discount on their selection of special beers, both on tap and from the special beer fridge. 

On the following Saturday, 14 December, Café Het Oude Huis will host a Christmas party with live music, special drinks, luxury snacks and even a visit from Santa Claus.  

Cinema & Theatre  

Apeldoorn’s most famous cinema, Gigant, will screen a selection of Hollywood classics this month. Some of them include ‘Batman Begins’ (5 December), ‘Pulp Fiction’ (12 December) and ‘The Conversation’ (18 December). Die-hard cinephiles can also try their hand at Francis Ford Coppola’s divisive work ‘Megalopolis’ on 13 December.  

Two contrasting interpretations of the classical ballet ‘The Nutcracker’ come to Apeldoorn this month. On 14 December at 19:30, the Orpheus Theatre will host a contemporary and experimental new adaptation of the play by the company Introdans. Then, on 22 December at 13:00, Gigant will screen a recorded version of the traditional Royal Ballet & Opera’s performance.  

Visual exhibitions  

Apeldoorn’s trees are the theme of ‘Tree Images’, an exhibition by artist Jaap van den Berg. Trees and wood are depicted, from root to top, both alive and dead, offering a multifaceted portrayal of these fascinating organisms. The exhibition can be visited until 22 December at Knooppunt Natuur en Buitenleven (Spadelaan 8). It is open on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 14:00 to 17:00, and on Friday from 19:00 to 22:00. Entry is free. 

Until 16 December, Apeldoorn City Hall is hosting the commemorative exhibition for Stichting Ateliers Apeldoorn’s 30th anniversary. The exhibition showcases the diverse paintings and ceramics created by local professional artists. In celebration of this anniversary, city poet Peter-Jan de Wilde has written a poem titled 'Creatie'. 

Welcoming 2025 with music 

Concerts featuring a variety of music styles will take place in Apeldoorn throughout the month. On 6 December, from 20:00 to 22:00, the city’s Great Church will host Shirma Rouse and Dwight Dissels’ ‘Spread the Love’ show. This unique collaboration promises an unforgettable musical journey through soul, gospel and various Christmas classics. 

On 27 December, from 20:00, A*Fever – The Ultimate ABBA Tribute will have the crowd singing and dancing to the Swedish band’s greatest hits at the Orpheus Theatre. 

To bid farewell to 2024 and ring in 2025 in style, Gigant will host concerts on both 31 December and 1 January. On New Year's Eve, from 16:00 to 19:30, the stage will feature Politie Warnsveld, Olaf Putker & The Scenic Sound and HUNK, with free admission. 

Just a few hours later, at 01:00, Gigant’s New Year Party will celebrate five decades of music from ‘80s classics to today’s top hits. Tickets are available for € 20 on the venue’s website.  

Going outdoors  

Until 5 January, Paleis Het Loo features special Christmas lights and historic decorations both in its gardens and indoors. The rooms are styled as they were when royalty celebrated Christmas there. The palace is open from 10:00 to 17:00, while the lights can be visited until 21:00. Tickets are available on Het Loo’s official website.  

History lovers can also discover more about one of the most striking buildings in the Netherlands, located in the heart of the Veluwe: the former transmitter station Radio Kootwijk. Various guided tours are scheduled throughout December and January. For tickets and more information, visit the State Forestry Service’s website. 

For those looking to wrap up 2024 by connecting with nature, National Park De Hoge Veluwe will offer a guided walk through its stunning landscapes on 31 December. Prior to that, on 8 December, the park is also hosting a tour of its Jachthuis (‘Hunting Lodge’). 

Apeldoorn’s most famous zoo, Apenheul, transforms into Winterheul from 13 December to 5 January. During this period, visitors can enjoy a magical winter walk, featuring light, sound and video projections that showcase the nature of the Veluwe region and its animals. Tickets and more information on Apenheul’s website.

WUP 02/12/2024 
by Ulisses Sawczuk 
©WUAS Press