Christmas Vacation

What activities will you do during the Christmas vacations?

In Haarlem, you don't have to be bored this Christmas vacation. Let your creativity flourish during a cozy Christmas workshop, sing along during a festive theater performance, laugh along during the funniest Christmas movies or show your talent on the ice rink. It's all possible in Haarlem.




Workshops and art

From December 14 to January 5, the crypt of the Dome Cathedral is transformed into a magical winter world. Admire as many as 300 Christmas groups from various countries and follow three model trains that travel 100 meters of rails past atmospheric old Dutch villages, Santa's Wonderland, Stockbridge Main Street, enchanting Disney characters and even a winter ski paradise!

On Jan. 3, the children's Cyanotype workshop will take place at North Holland Archives. Cyanotype is a printing method from the 19th century. Create your own artwork using a special technique: place flowers, leaves or other objects on light-sensitive paper, let the light do its work, and conjure up a brilliant cyan blue print. Bring your best finds and get creative!

At Library Zuid-Kennemerland there are many different workshops to do during the Christmas vacations. For example, craft a light bag as a gift for someone or the residents of Haarlem Noord. The paper bag is filled with a light so it can shine beautifully in the neighborhood.

You can also attend workshops at several museums. For example

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Watching a movie

When the weather is bad, it is nice to watch a movie. You can do that at several places around town. For example, follow the winter adventures of Dikkie Dik. Or watch the animated film Flow. An exciting film in which a young cat searches for survival in a flooded landscape.

During the Christmas vacations, the Film Dome is playing The Nutcracker. Discover how enchanting ballet can be during this festive Christmas performance.

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Theater

Do you love theatrical performances? Then Theater Elswout well. Elswout is located fifteen minutes from Haarlem. At the theater there are several performances for kids. In an atmospheric stable, master storyteller Wijnand Stomp takes you on an enchanting journey with his interactive Christmas story. Or follow the story of a polar bear in the tropics. A little polar bear floats away from his white polar world on an ice floe. He comes to a land where everything is green. There he sees plants and flowers and meets strange animals. What an adventure! 

Or watch the musical Christmas comedy Postillon d'amour at Stadsschouwburg Haarlem. Jealousy after Waterloo disrupts the friendship between August and Frederik, after which August tries to save his love for Frederik's sister Amalia through detours in Haarlem.

On December 22, at PHIL you can enjoy Babar and the creation of the world. This is a performance filled with live music, drawings and film, in which Ensemble SeaSession brings to life two French masterpieces featuring an African creation story and Babar's adventures.




Outside

In Spaarnwoude, a stone's throw from Haarlem, you will find Farm Zorgvrij. Here during the Christmas vacations you can not only feed cows, but also make a winter cake for the cows. They deserve something tasty during the holidays too!

Skating at the ice rink, that's a real winter activity. Put on your skates or rent a pair at Ijsbaan Haarlem and show off your talents!

The National Park South-Kennemerland organizes fun excursions for children. Get into the skin of the wolf! Join our guide and discover, together with your family, all about the life of the wolf. A fun interactive excursion in the dunes. How do wolves live together? How do wolves "talk" to each other? What does a wolf eat?

Until Feb. 3, you can wander through downtown Haarlem past atmospheric light objects and stories. With Wandering with stories you walk an atmospheric route through the city center and discover imaginative stories.




Food and drink

Going out for a day on the town? It's always a good idea to take a break between activities for a nice lunch, especially when you're out and about with kids. Luckily, there are plenty of kid-friendly lunch spots in Haarlem where you can recharge and the kids can have fun too. A number of child-friendly lunch spots in Haarlem are listed for you.

Want to end the day with dinner? Haarlem offers plenty of choice for families in addition to culinary restaurants, with special children's menus full of delicious treats like pancakes, burgers and fries with applesauce. Desserts are also sure to please the little ones. A number of child-friendly restaurants are listed for you.




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