December in the Netherlands is a month where magic, mischief, and “gezelligheid” join forces. From chocolate letters to “gourmetten”, from poetic pranks to two whole Christmas days, there’s a lot to unwrap (literally). If you're new to the Netherlands, or if this is your first winter season as an “Undutchable”, here’s everything you need to know to celebrate like a true local.

Sinterklaas: The Grand Kickoff

Before Christmas makes its entrance, the Netherlands belongs fully and unapologetically to Sinterklaas. No Santa Clause (or the Kerstman) is welcome here until after December 5^th.

Fun Sinterklaas Traditions You Should Absolutely Know About

Sinterklaas intocht (The arrival of Sinterklaas)

The intocht is the traditional public arrival of Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) that marks the start of the Sinterklaas season in the Netherlands. Each year - usually in mid-November - Sinterklaas is welcomed in towns and cities across the country (the national arrival is even broadcast on TV). According to custom he arrives by steamboat from Spain, steps ashore in a festive parade, and travels through town on a white horse, accompanied by helpers (all named “Piet”) who take part in the celebrations.

Shoes by the Fireplace

Kids (and many internationals giving it a go 😉) place a shoe by the chimney filled with:

• A carrot for Sinterklaas’ horse
• A wish list
• Sometimes drawings or other sweet gifts for the Sint and his helpers

In return, they may find small gifts or treats like pepernoten, kruidnoten, marzipan, or chocolate letters in their shoe in the morning. Some supermarkets will also let you put a shoe there to get a little extra when Sinterklaas visits the store.

Bonus: Dutch apartments often don’t have chimneys, so people still place their shoes next to radiators, cardboard fireplaces, or even just the front door. Luckily, Sinterklaas is very flexible.

Sinterklaas Songs

If you hear Dutch kids singing at the top of their lungs in the grocery store, don’t panic, they’re singing songs to earn candy from Sinterklaas' helpers. Consider this your chance to practice Dutch with fun little melodies and repeated festive themes.

Chocolate Letters

You’ll see them everywhere - personalized chocolate letters for every initial. Here’s the insider tip: Choosing the “wrong” letter for someone is considered a mildly hilarious faux pas. If you cannot find the right one for your friend or family member you are usually safe choosing an S (for Sinterklaas) or a P (for Piet).

Surprise Gifts (Think Secret Santa, but Craftier)

This is where Dutch creativity shines. Prepare for:

• Handmade paper-mâché creations
• Elaborate setups
• Hiding your real gift inside a “fake” one

And yes: everyone writes a fun and teasing poem to go with it. There is no present unwrapping like a Dutch “Surprise” party.

Pakjesavond and Treasure Hunts

December 5^th is the official “pakjesavond” (meaning packages evening…or gifts evening). After all the cute small gifts in the shoes this is the time for the bigger presents. Each family has their own beloved traditions for “pakjesavond.” In some homes Sinterklaas or his helpers knock on the door to bring the presents. Sometimes they stay to hand them out and other times they run away quickly while the kids try to catch a glimpse of them. In other households they take a treasure hunt approach. The gifts are hidden around the house with rhyming clues leading the way to find them all.

Hidden fact: Many adults love the treasure-hunt aspect more than the gifts themselves, making this activity fun for all ages.

After December 5^th , the Dutch flip the seasonal switch and Sinterklaas leaves the country again. Out go chocolate letters, in come Christmas stollen. Shops move fast, so make sure to run in and get your discounted Sinterklaas treats early on December 6^th.

Christmas in the Netherlands: Double the Days, Double the Delight

Dutch Christmas is charming, cozy, and less commercial than in many countries. It’s all about family, food, and warmth - literally and figuratively.

Yes, the Netherlands Has Two Christmas Days

• Eerste Kerstdag (Dec. 25th)
• Tweede Kerstdag (Dec. 26th)

Insider tip: Tweede Kerstdag is THE day for extended family visits, big meals, and epic naps.

Gourmetten: The Dutch Group Grilling Phenomenon

Forget roasting turkeys, in the Netherlands everyone gets a tiny frying pan and a group grill to cook their own mini-meals. It’s messy, slow, social, and wonderfully gezellig and delicious.

Hidden fact:
Dutch supermarkets set up entire “gourmetten” aisles in December, with bite-sized everything.

Kerststol, Marzipan, & Sweet Traditions

Christmas is not complete until you have had a piece of Kerststol - Christmas loaves with almond paste. They may be an acquired taste for some people but they are an iconic part of the Dutch Christmas celebrations and mark the official transition from Sinterklaas season to Christmas mode.

Magical city centers

The Netherlands doesn’t have Alps and is not as famous for Christmas markets as our neighbors in Germany, but it does have:

• Ice rinks of all sizes (usually right in the middle of the city)
• Christmas villages
• Hot chocolate stands
• Light festivals (Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Utrecht—take your pick)

New Year’s

Oud en Nieuw - literally “Old and New” - is the Dutch way of ringing out the year on December 31^st and welcoming the new one on the 1^st of January. The night is loud, festive and full of fun. People gather for dinners and parties, count down to midnight with champagne, and then the skies (and streets) explode in fireworks. The vibe is equal parts celebration and community chaos - expect music, neighbours wishing you a “Gelukkig Nieuwjaar” (Happy New Year) or “Beste wensen” (Best wishes) and a fair amount of confetti and sparks.

Unique Dutch New Year’s traditions

Fireworks, everywhere

 At midnight (and often you will hear the prep the whole day) entire streets light up as people set off consumer fireworks. Many cities run official displays, but the biggest shows are often impromptu neighbourhood affairs. Municipal rules differ, so check local guidance and bring ear protection for pets and babies.

Oliebollen 

No Dutch New Year is complete without oliebollen (deep-fried dough balls). You’ll find stalls on almost every corner in December so no need to fry them at home if you don’t want to (although that is also a fun Dutch tradition). These delightful treats are warm, greasy, utterly indulgent and a must-try.

Nieuwjaarsduik (New Year’s Dive) 

Brave (or mildly masochistic) people take a chilly plunge into the sea, lakes, or rivers early in the morning of January 1st. The Scheveningen dive near The Hague is the biggest and most famous where thousands of people join in every year.

Fun Dutch Holiday Facts

Santa (Kerstman) Isn’t the Star of the Season

Sinterklaas still holds the cultural crown. Santa is a later import, but a fun one that people are including more and more. The two characters co-exist peacefully… mostly.

Dutch People Aren’t Big on Over-the-Top Decorations

It might not be as big as what you see in all the Hollywood Christmas movies, but once December 6th arrives, decorations do start popping up everywhere. You will often see windows full of stars, lit-up balconies, and, of course, real Christmas trees in living rooms and picture windows. It’s simple but elegant.

Snow? Maybe. Holiday Spirit? Guaranteed.

The Netherlands might give you a white Christmas, although it is not as common as it used to be, but even without it, cities go all-in on lights, markets, and music.

Why Are There Oranges in My Shoes?

A quirky Sinterklaas fact: Traditionally, oranges were a symbol of wealth and health. Finding one in your shoe meant you’d been especially good - or that your family, like most Dutch families, embraced the “healthy snack” version of holiday gifting.

Dutch December Soundtrack

SkyRadio starts playing holiday music early in the season and you will likely start humming along in the supermarket, on your drive to work, and in the office. Here are some of the things you can expect to hear:

• Classic English carols
• Dutch children’s Sinterklaas songs
• The infamous “Flappie” (a Dutch Christmas song about a missing bunny… it’s a whole thing)

Insider tip: knowing “Hoor de wind waait door de bomen” earns you bonus Dutch points.

How Internationals Can Join the Festivities Like a Local

Now that you know what to expect and how your Dutch friends and neighbors will be celebrating. Here’s how to have a great time and blend right in:

✔ Give Sinterklaas traditions a go - place a shoe, buy a chocolate letter, join pakjesavond, make a surprise.
✔ Host a gourmetten evening - it’s a guaranteed Dutch crowd-pleaser and everyone does their own cooking…win-win!
✔ Visit an ice-skating rink in the city center - and don’t forget your hot chocolate
✔ Try Dutch sweets - speculaas, kerststol, marzipan, oliebollen … so many good things, no regrets.
✔ Ask Dutch friends about their family traditions - they love sharing them and maybe you will find some you want to adopt.
✔ Don’t confuse Santa with Sinterklaas (trust us, the Dutch will correct you).

If you're traveling home for the holidays, bring some Dutch treats to share. If you’re staying here, just settle in and enjoy the cozy rhythm of a Dutch December.

Whether your December is filled with gourmetten, snow, gifts in shoes, chocolate letters, live Christmas trees, adorable ice rinks, or all of the above, we hope you feel at home in the Netherlands this festive season.