The year in Apeldoorn

Nov 2026 – Oct 2027 · 9 moments

The big moments of the year in Apeldoorn: Sinterklaas arrives, Winterpaleis Het Loo, Winterheul and more, with their dates.

November2026
14Nov

Sinterklaas arrives

Saturday 14 November 2026

Sinterklaas is welcomed in the Oranjepark, which the organisers call the Pepernotenpark: the arrival is on Saturday 14 November 2026.

27Nov

Winterpaleis Het Loo

27 November 2026 – 3 January 2027

The palace lit up inside and out, with Christmas rooms, a national Christmas tree, lectures and winter activities.

December2026
11Dec

Winterheul

11 – 13 December 2026 and 18 December 2026 – 3 January 2027, from 16:30

When evening falls Apenheul turns into a winter world of lights, sound and projections, along a walk through the dark woods.

March2027
Marusually

Royal Light Festival

Usually five days in mid-March; 2027 is not announced yet

Five days of light art, free to visit, with works at Paleis Het Loo, the Grote Kerk, Orpheus and along the Hoofdstraat.

April2027
27Apr

King's Day

Tuesday 27 April 2027

King's Day: the blanket market (kleedjesmarkt) through the Beekpark, the Oranjepark and the town centre, music on the squares, and Prinsennacht the evening before.

May2027
Mayusually

Bevrijdingsfestival Apeldoorn

Every year on 5 May, on the Marktplein; the 2027 programme is not out

Liberation Day on the Marktplein, with live music, food and dancing, and a shared Freedom Meal (Vrijheidsmaaltijd) at long tables.

5May

Maaiveld Festival

Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 May 2027

Two days of music, dance, theatre and visual art at unusual locations in the town centre. Free to visit.

September2027
Sepusually

Steam train festival Terug naar Toen

Usually the first full weekend of September; 2027 is not announced yet

A festival of restored steam locomotives that the VSM calls the biggest in the Netherlands, with event grounds in Beekbergen and Loenen and trains between Apeldoorn and Dieren.

October2027
Octusually

Apeldoorns Oktoberfest

Usually early October; 2027 is not announced yet

Beer, food, dancing and live acts in a big hall on the Zwitsalterrein. In 2026 it was a single Friday evening, 2 October.