Christmas break in Delft

From 20 December to 4 January it's Christmas holidays again. While we warm ourselves with cosy Christmas films and a mug of hot chocolate, there is also plenty to discover and experience in Delft. The city is in festive Delft Illuminated mood, and there are plenty of fun activities to experience that enhance the perfect Christmas feeling.

From creative workshops to winter walks through the illuminated streets, there is something for everyone. We have listed some of the best Christmas holiday activities in Delft for you, so you can fully enjoy this festive period. Let the Christmas fun begin!

Attention gemstone and fossil lovers!

For young, future geologists, Filmhuis Lumen organises a very special screening of the film Mary Anning. A real geologist will drop by! Frances Versluis, junior geologist at TNO Netherlands, takes the time on Tuesday to tell the children all about her work and passion. She will show the children how to find gemstones themselves during the holidays, while also displaying special pieces from her private collection.

The film Mary Anning is also a great adventure for the kids! The story follows a brave 12-year-old girl who changes history with her passion for fossils. As her father disappears and leaves mysterious clues behind, she goes on a personal mission full of discoveries and exciting moments.

Get lost in Delft's oldest prison

Step inside Het Steen, Delft's oldest prison where the walls have kept secrets since 1250. During this exciting tour, you will discover how criminals were locked up, what punishments used to be and what life was like in a medieval cell.

Het Steen has had some famous guests throughout the centuries. Did you know that Balthasar Gerards, the murderer of William of Orange, was imprisoned here? During the guided tour, you will hear how the French assassin spent the end of his life here.

This tour is perfect for curious children and parents who love history, adventure and excitement - do you dare?

Discover the Secret of the Iconoclast!

During the Iconoclasm, statues, paintings and relics were destroyed in old Delft churches. But fortunately, not everything was lost! Some brave Delfters managed to hide some of the valuables. A lost treasure that we never recovered, but would love to have back!

So it's up to your team of clever sleuths to find the secret treasure! Solve puzzles, follow cryptic clues and crack the code. Discover stories from the past, admire the impressive architecture and who knows, maybe you will unravel the Secret of the Iconoclasm.

Experience Delft's Christmas spirit up close

Get inspired by the Delft Christmas Walk! The walk starts at The Christmas Shop, where you are immediately put in the Christmas spirit. Here, the guide will pick you up and take you on an atmospheric tour through Delft, full of great stories about the city.

Besides a good dose of history, there is also time to fill your bellies. Among other things, we visit the oliebollenkraam and historic Delft delicacies, such as Koekjesbakkerij de Glimlach and Van der Burgh Chocolaad.To counteract the dark months, we will also stop at the Stadskaarsenmakerij Delft. Of course, we will take time to stop by the Nieuwe Oude Kerk and Oude Kerk to learn more about Delft's rich, religious history.

The walk ends at the Stads-Koffyhuis, where you can relax with a nice, hot chocolate. A perfect way to fully experience Delft's Christmas atmosphere!

Ice skating at Knus

The cold month of December is not complete without going out on the ice at least once. Fortunately, you can visit Knus throughout the Christmas holidays. Experience winter on a partly covered terrace in the middle of Delftse Hout and enjoy the fresh air and the feeling of flying over the ice.

After skating, warm yourself up by the crackling campfire, with a hot drink in your hands and cosiness around you. The perfect activity to do with the family. That is really knus.

Take your pleuter to their first rave during the Pleuterfestival!

There comes an age when you go out for the first time and maybe even go to a rave... for the little ones, this Christmas holiday is a bit earlier than usual. Come to My First Festival with your toddler or preschooler and break the daily routine of getting up, nursery, playing a bit and going back to bed.

Start the day with the Pleuter Breakfast or a cosy lunch, enjoy cheerful performances such as PRRRT PRRRT FLAP FLAP or AaiPet and end the festival with the one and only Pleuterrave. Put on your coolest outfit and make the dance floor unsafe together with your pleuter. Top form

Find the lost lights of De Elf during the Lichtjesroute

Due to a sudden gust of wind, all of De Elf's purple lights are scattered across the centre of Delft! Will you help find the lights so the city can be enveloped in a magical glow again?

During this children's treasure hunt, children search for (images of) the purple lights on the route. Once the little sleuths have found all the lights, they will receive some goodies as a reward. This route is ideal for going out with the family during the cold winter days, spending time together and enjoying the illuminated canals and cosy streets.

From 9 December to 4 January, you can pick up the Lichtjesroute from VVV Delft.

Spend a day in Delft with the kids

Even in the cold months, Delft is a great city to visit, perhaps even more so with all those atmospheric lights. The city feels almost magical, with twinkling lights transforming the historic streets and canals into a winter wonderland. Delft is perfect for a fun family holiday, so feel free to bring your kids along.

There is plenty for young and old to discover, from creative workshops to fun treasure hunts in the old town. After a day full of fun, you can spend the night in one of the many atmospheric hotels or cosy B&Bs, of course with comfortable rooms for parent(s) and child. This way, you turn a day in Delft into a relaxing and unforgettable outing for the whole family!