Ah, downtown lights aglow. Glistening storefront windows. Appearances by Santa Claus and a holiday market, too.

When you imagine the look and feel of a classic Christmas, what you envision is Holland. 

“The whole downtown is decorated,” said Kris Van Haitsma, owner of nearby Mud Lake Farm. “There’s lots of shops. Lots of fun restaurants. And it’s a very walkable city because all of the sidewalks have a snowmelt system.”

Downtown Holland is also full of unique holiday experiences in November and December, from a Shop ‘Til You Drop event that kicks off your gift buying in mid-November right through to the final night of Magic at the Mill on the last Saturday before Christmas. 

So, come spend the holidays in Holland this year. Here’s a closer look at two of the biggest events on tap for 2024:

Kerstmarkt

Kerstmarkt brings together so many of the best elements of the holiday season all in one place. For starters, the outdoor market hosts carolers and other musical guests. There are special activities such as dog sled demonstrations, too. Plus, you can mingle with Santa Claus and the Dutch version of the jolly old elf, Sinterklaas.

That all creates a delightful holiday atmosphere for milling around the 8th Street Market Place, where about two dozen area artisans display their handiwork in cute little wooden booths on Fridays and Saturdays from Nov. 23 through Dec. 21. You can find everything from trees and greenery for your home to wooden toys for the kids and hand-painted Santa collectibles, too, along with other handcrafted goods such as glass art, birdhouses, leather and fur items, soaps and more.

“We try to curate a group of vendors with a wide variety of products and also a wide variety of price points,” said Van Haitsma, who’s both an organizer of the market and a vendor. “None of this stuff you’re going to find at the mall. It’s all handmade.”

Many of the booths are occupied by the same vendors throughout the holiday season, while other booths feature different artisans each day. Visitors also can find different things to eat from day to day including Dutch-themed bites, European street food and hot spiced Gluhwein that you can sip out of a collectible mug. 

If you stop by the Mud Lake Farm booth for St. Steve’s Farm-Crafted Beverages, you can sample herbal teas, cordials, sparkling waters and the popular elderberry chai soda that “tastes like Christmas.”

See All The Dates And Times For This Year’s Kerstmarkt

Sinterklaas Shuffle

A longstanding Holland holiday tradition is getting remade this year into a family-friendly photo scavenger hunt that includes a portrait with the man himself, Sinterklaas. The Sinterklaas Shuffle features five downtown Holland destinations decorated in winter themes such as a ski lodge, polar tundra and a gingerbread candy land. Along the way you can meet Sinterklaas, his elves and his beautiful white horse, Ozosnel.

Just pick up a passport and get it stamped at each spot as you move along at your own pace, then turn in your completed passport for entry into a grand prize drawing. Each destination will have a place for wintry photos and a special treat to enjoy such as popcorn, hot cocoa and traditional Dutch chocolate coins.

“We took the old event and are shaking it up a little bit,” said Chad Mesbergen, director of events and operations for Tulip Time, which organizes the Sinterklaas Shuffle. “We really looked to reimagine it and make it more exciting with more things to do as you’re going through.

“We’re super excited to add another family-friendly event into Holland’s already robust winter season.” 

The Sinterklaas Shuffle is a 2-day event with hours from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. Tickets cost just $5.

Find Your Place To Stay This Holiday Season In Holland

Other Holiday Events In Holland

As you plan your escape to Holland, keep these other fun events in mind for this holiday season:

  • 6-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, Shop ‘Til You Drop – Nearly 40 downtown Holland shops and restaurants will stay open late to jumpstart your holiday shopping with special discounts
  • 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, Merchants + Makers – Explore a wide variety of homemade crafts and other artisan items inside Holland Civic Center Place
  • 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, Holiday Open House – Spot Santa Claus, visit with reindeer in a petting corral, and enjoy strolling carolers and roasting chestnuts while browsing downtown shops that offer free gift wrapping, holiday refreshments, merchandise discounts, giveaways and more
  • Saturday, Nov. 30, Small Business Saturday – Celebrate independently-owned small businesses by doing some holiday shopping and dining in beautiful downtown Holland, all done up for the holiday season
  • 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, Parade of Lights – Welcome Santa Claus to town in an after-dark parade where all the floats and marching bands are covered in twinkling lights
  • Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 6-21, Magic at the Mill – See Holland’s iconic DeZwaan Windmill all lit up and surrounded by thousands of LED tulips synchronized to music
  • 8-10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, Shopping Jam – Downtown Holland shops open early and offer the biggest discounts first thing in the morning
  • 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, Christmas at the Cappon House – Celebrate the season like it’s 1824 with piano singalongs and other traditional Victorian holiday activities for the whole family​