Christmas Market in a cave?! Valkenburg, Netherlands

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: 17.11.2023 – 07.01.2024

Video

Here’s a short video to see what it’s like

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
Grotestraat Centrum 31, 6301 CW Valkenburg, Netherlands
https://g.page/museumvalkenburg?share

Tip!
On Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays Santa Claus is in his Chillroom in Valkenburg, near Santa’s bar

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!

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: 19.11-21.12.2022 (exact date to be announced for 2023)
Every Wednesday at 19.00 and every Saturday at 19.30 (closed on 24.12 – exact date to be announced)
Where: the parade passes by the following streets Poststraat, Dr. Erensstraat, St. Pieterstraat, Walramplein, Hovetstraat, Berkelstraat, Grote straat

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. They are both an excellent choice in case the weather is bad, as you are protected from rain/cold. The Christmas market in the Municipality cave is vibrant!

Tip!
The Municipal cave is a lot better than the Velvet Cave, so if you have enough time to only visit one of these two caves, then visit the Municipal cave!

Tip!
Buy your tickets for the Christmas market in the Municipal cave online here!
There is no ticket office at the cave!

*When: 18.11-30.12.2022 (exact dates to be announced)
Monday-Friday: 11.00-19.00
Saturday-Sunday: 10.00-19.00 
24.12.2022: 10.00-18.00 (exact dates to be announced)
25.12.2022: closed (exact dates to be announced)
26.12.2022: 11.00-18.00 (exact dates to be announced)
30.12.2022: 11.00-18.00 (exact dates to be announced)
Last entry 45 minutes before closing!
*Cost: adults EUR 8.50, kids 5-11 years old EUR 5, kids <4 free entrance
*Stroller friendly, wheelchair accessible
*Dogs are not allowed

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, so the Municipality cave is the better choice in Velkenburg. If you have enough time, seeing both is worth it given the difference in the atmosphere

Tip!
Buy your tickets for the Christmas market in the Velvet cave online here, as there is no ticket office at the cave.

*When: 18.11-30.12.2022 (exact dates to be announced)
25.12.2023: closed
Monday -Friday: 11.00-19.00
Saturday-Sunday: 11.00-20.00
*Cost: adults EUR 8.50, kids 5-11 years old EUR 5, kids <4 free entrance
*Stroller friendly and wheelchair accessible
*Dogs are not allowed

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: 18.11.2022-08.01.2023 (exact dates to be announced)
Monday-Friday: 11.00-17.00
Saturday-Sunday: 10.30-18.00
*Closed on 25.12.2023 and 01.01.2024
*Cost: EUR 7.75
*You can buy your tickets here
*Not stroller friendly, wheelchair friendly
*Dogs are not allowed

Frosty fairy tale and magical cave

The theme park Sprookjesbos Valkenburg offers a hike through the attraction park. A story teller will be waiting at the cave

*Cost: EUR 10 for adults, kids below 80cm free entrance, EUR 3.50 for the Magical cave on top of the attraction park, EUR 4.50 for the Magical cave without visiting the attraction park
*You can visit the Magical cave without visiting the theme park
*You can find more details here

Christmas in MergelRijk

Here you can see 30 meters of miniatures on biblical stories and Christmas sculptures made out of marl 

*When: 19.11.2022-08.01.2023 (exact dates to be announced for 2023)
*Cost: from EUR 7.75
*Not stroller friendly, wheelchair friendly
*Dogs are allowed

Kids friendly pancake restaurant

Here you can find 250 sorts of pancakes and a small indoor playground!

Pannenkoekenparadijs Cauberg Valkenburg
Grendelplein 12, 6301 BS Valkenburg, Netherlands
https://goo.gl/maps/rBFvzzmanjbrZZFP8

About 1 hour 20 minutes from Schuman, Brussels (or about 2 hours 20 minutes by public transport)

Municipal Cave
Cauberg 4, 6301 BT Valkenburg, Netherlands
https://goo.gl/maps/z92NxrwiuvLdyKJW9

Valkenburg has one of the best Christmas market in Europe! Check the post to get inspiration about more Christmas markets!

Christmas markets are the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. From twinkling lights to delicious treats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. But when you’re travelling with children, it can be hard to know which markets are the best – and which ones make the most sense for your family. So, here are the 10 best Christmas markets near Brussels to visit with kids and practical tips to plan ahead

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Practical stuff

*When: 17.11.2023-07.01.2024 for the Christmas markets in the two caves, see each section to see exact dates
*Cost: adults EUR 8.50, kids 5-11 years old EUR 5.00
*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 here
*Parking: follow the signs for the municipal parking, EUR 9 for the day (10 minutes walk from the caves)
Parking Odapark Prins Bernardstraat
Pr. Margrietlaan, 6301 WH Valkenburg, Netherlands
https://goo.gl/maps/9mDtVaEpCdmb3JDj6
*Another private parking very close to the caves:
Parking ‘t Centrum
Daalhemerweg 8, 6301 BK Valkenburg, Netherlands
https://goo.gl/maps/bBEjoYG5HTF27ccNA
You can also reserve a parking place here

A Family’s Guide To Christmas Markets: Tips on planning your visit with kids
The following tips will help you know what to expect and to plan ahead your Christmas market experience with kids

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I felt I found gold when I started diving into the Facebook group posts.

Thanks for beeing a real “childhood memories” builder!

Cristina O.

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