5x the best Christmas trips during the Christmas holidays 2025

Between 15 November and 27 December 2025, Valkenburg comes to life during the Landal Christmas Parade. The streets will be filled with lights from the light parade full of magnificent floats, Christmas music, dancers and impressive costumes. The light parade is twice a week in the historic heart of Valkenburg. On Wednesday evening at 19:00 and on Saturday evening at 19:30, you will experience half an hour of Christmas fun. Curious about the spots with the best view? These are Berkelstraat (20 min after start), Walramplein (40 min after start) and Dr Erensstraat (50 min after start).

Combine this outing in the Christmas holidays with a visit to the underground Christmas market or enjoy a cup of coffee afterwards at Joost & Maartje, in Maastricht. The parade in Valkenburg parade should definitely be on this list of fun outings in the Christmas holidays.

On Wednesday 10 December 2025, from 19:30 to 22:00, you can take part in the chocolate Christmas tree-making workshop at Folkingestraat 9B in the heart of Groningen. This cosy evening is organised by Urban Heart. For €39.50 per person, you will learn under supervision how to make a beautiful chocolate Christmas tree step by step. From melting and pouring the chocolate to decorating it with festive details. Experience the perfect Christmas combination of creativity, cosiness and (lots of) chocolate. Everyone will go home with a homemade chocolate Christmas tree, ideal for gifting or secretly enjoying yourself.

Complete this Christmas outing and pay a visit to Koffiebar Gebrand & Bakker. Treat yourself to a cup of coffee made from beans from the local Kosu Coffee Roastery. Here you will also taste the traditional Groninger Koek made from rye flour, sugar syrup and biscuit spices.

Join the flower arranging workshop with Christmas arrangements on 16 December at Groei & Bloei Deventer under the guidance of floral stylist Sharon van Eunen. The workshop starts at 19:30 and lasts about two hours. The cost is €45 per person including all materials. Sharon is known for her natural style and use of sustainable, local greenery, often straight from the garden or from the surroundings of Deventer. You will learn step by step how to make a unique Christmas arrangement.

Warm up at Deventer Koekwinkel. Here you can enjoy a creamy hot chocolate and a piece of the famous Bussink kruidkoek, which has been baked in this historic city for over 400 years.

Stek is a creative and circular site in the Belcrum neighbourhood at Veilingkade 9 in Breda. On the site are several tiny houses made of recycled materials housing all kinds of different entrepreneurs and makers. From a bakery, and bicycle maker to second-hand clothing shop and record shop. On 06 and 07 December from 14:00 to 19:00, all creative makers from the area will gather at STEK for a makers' market. During the Christmas STEK hoist, you will find stalls with handmade ceramics, jewellery, illustrations, felt work, vintage, unique products, etc, in addition to the standard entrepreneurs. Ideal for buying unique Christmas presents. Stroll along the stalls or treat yourself to some goodies. Glühwein from the Stek Café is sure to warm you up. Every year, the market is busy and all sorts of things are organised. For more information, keep an eye on STEK's Instagram page.

Just across the border in Germany, you will find the charming Weihnachtsmarkt in Bocholt, a small Christmas forest full of lights, fire baskets and wooden stalls. The market is open daily from 27 November to 21 December from 12:00 to 20:00. Here you can sample mulled wine, listen to live music and enjoy the tranquillity typical of German Christmas markets. Want to score a truly traditional gift? The market sells wooden souvenirs from the Erzgebirge region. What should definitely not be missed is a bag of toasted almonds. This Christmas delicacy is made in large copper pans and toasted and caramelised with sugar. To lick your fingers at!