Christmas Market in a cave?! Valkenburg, Netherlands
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What an original Christmas market in a cave in Valkenburg, perfect to visit with kids. Read on for practical details to plan your visit ahead with kids, photos and a video
When: 16.11-28.12.2024 (Caves)
16.11.2024 – 29.12.2024 (Parade)
15.11.2024-05.01.2025 (Winter Wonderland)
16.11.2024-05.01.2025 (Mergelrijk)
Video
Here’s a short video to see what it’s like
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When to Visit the Christmas Market in Valkenburg
Visit during the week to avoid crowds. This is our biggest tip for a more enjoyable experience.
Santa’s Village
Valkenburg is a beautiful little town and there is a traditional Christmas market at the main square, which is called Santa’s Village.
Address: Grotestraat Centrum 31, 6301 CW Valkenburg, Netherlands
This is nice to see, but it is nothing extraordinary, so don’t waste time here. Head to the Municipal cave to experience a Christmas market in a cave!
Tip!
On Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays Santa Claus is in his Chillroom in Valkenburg, near Santa’s bar.
Landal Christmas Parade
Do not miss the magical parade that passes through the old town twice a week! Lights, floats, dancers and Christmas music!
- When: 16.11-28.12.2024
- Every Wednesday at 19.00 and every Saturday at 19.30.
- Where: the parade passes by the following streets Poststraat, Dr. Erensstraat, St. Pieterstraat, Walramplein, Hovetstraat, Berkelstraat, Grote straat.
- You can watch the parade from the following spots: Pelerinstraat, Dr. Erensplein, and Walramplein.
Tip!
Walramplein is the least crowded spot
Municipal Cave
There are two main caves, the Municipal Cave and the Velvet Cave. There are Christmas markets in both caves in Valkenburg and they are not far from each other (about 5 minutes walk), so it is relatively easy to visit both with kids.
Both caves are an excellent choice in case the weather is bad, as you are protected from rain/cold. The Christmas market in the Municipality cave is a lot better than the Velvet Cave, so if you have enough time to only visit one of the two caves, then visit the Municipal cave.
- When: 17.11-30.12.2023
- Last entry 45 minutes before closing!
- Stroller friendly, wheelchair accessible
- Dogs are not allowed
- Buy your tickets for the Christmas market in the Municipal cave online here!
There is no ticket office at the cave!
Velvet Cave
Here the atmosphere is different, there are many old paintings on the walls – and still there are lots of bright decorations as well. As mentioned above, if you only have time for one of the caves, then skip the Velvet cave and visit only the Municipality cave.
The Christmas market in the Municipality cave is more luminous and joyful, whereas the Velvet Cave is more dark and some kids might find some areas a bit scary. If you have enough time, seeing both caves is worth it given the difference in the atmosphere.
- When: 17.11-30.12.2023
- Stroller friendly and wheelchair accessible
- Dogs are not allowed
- Buy your tickets for the Christmas market in the Velvet cave online here, as there is no ticket office at the cave.
Winter Wonderland
You enter the Wilhelmina cave to see the nativity scene. Then go on a ride with the cable lift to see the tallest Christmas tree in Limburg, the Wilhelminatoren. You can also play golf at Adventure Mini Golf and try the toboggan runs.
- When: 17.11.2023-07.01.2024
- Not stroller friendly or wheelchair friendly
- Dogs are not allowed
- Buy tickets here
Christmas in MergelRijk
Here you can see 30 meters of miniatures on biblical stories and Christmas sculptures made out of marl
- When: 18.11.2023-07.01.2024
- Not stroller friendly or wheelchair friendly
- Dogs are allowed
- Buy tickets here
Practical Stuff
*When: 17.11.2023-07.01.2024
*You can buy tickets in advance here (there is no ticket office at the Municipal cave and at the Velvet cave, so make sure to buy tickets online in advance!)
*You can find more details on the official website here
Where to Park to Visit the Christmas Markets in Valkenburg
There is a private parking place close to the caves:
Parking ‘t Centrum
Daalhemerweg 8, 6301 BK Valkenburg, Netherlands
You can also reserve a parking place here.
For your visit, parking tickets must be printed out and placed under the windscreen. A limited number of parking spaces are reserved in the following car parks:
- Parking Par’Course 2, Prinses Beatrixsingel, with a walking distance of 850 metres to the caves
- Parking next to the Casino at the head of the Cauberg, with a walking distance of 1,200 metres to the caves (Note: This is not the casino’s own car park)
You can book your visit on the following days:
- Friday 8 to Sunday 10 December 2023
- Friday 15 to Sunday 17 December 2023
- Friday 22 to Sunday 24 December 2023
- Tuesday 26 to Saturday 30 December 2023
Kid-Friendly Pancake Restaurant in Valkenburg
Here you can find 250 sorts of pancakes and a small indoor playground!
Pannenkoekenparadijs Cauberg Valkenburg
Address: Grendelplein 12, 6301 BS Valkenburg, Netherlands
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