Photo credits: Gouda at Christmas, by Marc from Borft (Flickr.com Creative Commons license), Winter Efteling lantern, by Marcel030NL (Flickr.com, Creative Commons license)

Gouda by Candlelight
The second Tuesday in December sees the annual lighting of the candles in Gouda (South Holland) known as Gouda bij Kaarslicht ('Gouda by Candlelight'). This magical celebration takes place in the medieval town of Gouda, a short train ride from Amsterdam or The Hague. (We strongly recommend that you go by train, as the centre of town is closed to traffic that day.)

Literally thousands of candles will be lit in one breathtaking instant as the main square (Markt) lights up for Christmas. It's not hard to imagine that you're in the 16th century as the lights are first completely extinguished around the square, and then the darkness is driven back by no less than 1,500 candles in the City Hall (Stadhuis) with thousands more glowing throughout the town. The gorgeous stained-glass windows of the nearby St Janskerk are also specially illuminated for the event and a concert is given there.

The all-day event features a full schedule of activities for the entire family – including a typical Christmas market on the Wilhelminastraat  – and runs from 10.00 to 22.00, with the candle and Christmas tree lighting ceremonies beginning around 19.00. See www.goudabijkunstlicht.nl (in Dutch) for a complete schedule and details.

The Winter Efteling
The Winter Efteling offers visitors a phantasmagorical winter atmosphere in this celebrated almost-60-year-old theme park. Fairytale lighting, a covered ice skating rink with cosy ski hut, a 385-metre langlauf slide, crackling campfires, extra entertainment and fun for all. See www.efteling.com.

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