From 13 November to 3 January, Valkenburg becomes Kerststad, the Christmas town. We have been on the Grotestraat Centrum for more than 25 years, and in these weeks the Christmas Parade comes down our street. If you are visiting the Valkenburg Christmas market and want dinner afterwards, this overview will help you plan your afternoon and evening.
When is the Valkenburg Christmas market in 2026?
Kerststad Valkenburg runs in 2026 from 13 November until Sunday 3 January 2027. The Christmas markets in the Gemeentegrot and the Fluweelengrot caves are open from 13 November to 30 December, from 11:00 on weekdays and 10:00 at weekends, until 19:00. The caves are closed on Christmas Day. After 30 December, the other activities in town carry on.
The Gemeentegrot is on the Cauberg, the Fluweelengrot on the Daalhemerweg, below the castle ruin. Both are old marl quarries, their passages filled with stalls and lights. Tickets are sold online, and the Fluweelengrot offers combination tickets. Bring a warm coat, because underground there is no sun to stand in. We checked these times with Kerststad Valkenburg on 31 October 2026.
What else is there to do during Kerststad Valkenburg?
During Kerststad Valkenburg, from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, there is much more to do beyond the Christmas markets in the Gemeentegrot and Fluweelengrot caves. There is an illuminated Christmas Parade, a sand sculpture festival in the Nieuwe Kerk, a Christmas cave with a miniature diorama, WinterGlow on the Walramplein, and free performances in the town centre.
The Landal Christmas Parade is an illuminated procession with floats, dancers and Christmas music. It runs on Saturday 14, 21 and 28 November and 12 and 19 December at 19:30, and on Wednesday 9, 16, 23 and 30 December at 19:00. The route also passes through the Grotestraat Centrum.
Free
- WinterGlow: a Christmas village on the Walramplein, with a covered winter bar, Christmas chalets, Santa's house and a carousel.
- Cultural programme: performances in the town centre, from choirs and barrel organ music to street theatre, on varying days.
- Kribkeswandelingen: walking routes past the kribkes, the local nativity scenes, in the villages around Valkenburg, from early December.
With a ticket
- Ongelofelijk Zand: large sand sculptures of the Christmas story by international sand artists, in the Nieuwe Kerk on the St. Pieterstraat.
- Kerst in MergelRijk: a Christmas cave on the Daalhemerweg, with a 30 metre miniature diorama and sculptures in marl and sand.
- Winter Wonderland: at Attractiepark Kabelbaan Valkenburg, with a life-size nativity scene in the Wilhelminagrot, the cable car, curling and a Christmas market.
- Route d'Amuse: a culinary walk with a Christmas amuse at four stops along the way.
- Grotbiken in Kerstsfeer: mountain biking through the marl caves, 40 metres underground, at Valkenburg Adventure in Sibbe.
Times and tickets for each are on Kerststad Valkenburg.
How to plan your evening
Spend the afternoon in the caves or at the other attractions, and eat afterwards. The caves close at 19:00, and in the town centre everything is within walking distance. Only the cave biking and the kribkes walks are further out.
Pick a table time with some room after the market. In the busy weeks an afternoon runs long, above all at weekends. On parade evenings the centre is extra full. Come in good time, because the procession comes down our street.
Where can you eat after the Christmas market in Valkenburg?
Restaurant Latinos at Grotestraat Centrum 8 in Valkenburg aan de Geul serves Italian and Spanish food on one menu, with tapas and antipasti to share. The restaurant is in the centre of Valkenburg, within walking distance of the Christmas markets in the Gemeentegrot and the Fluweelengrot caves.
After an afternoon in the cool caves, you will want something warm. The open fire is burning when you come in. We like to start you off with the Scampi al Ajillo, sizzling in their oil, or a Zarzuëla, an authentic Spanish fish soup. Vegetarian dishes carry a (v) on the menu. The full menu is here: menu.
How many dishes should a group order?
Restaurant Latinos in Valkenburg advises on its own menu 1 to 2 tapas or antipasti per person alongside a main course, and 3 per person when sharing only. The dishes are medium-sized portions. Latinos recommends starting with a few dishes and ordering more as the evening goes on.
We pour wine by the glass with the dishes. The wine list holds the bottles, if you want to stretch the evening a little.
Is Latinos open during the Christmas market?
Restaurant Latinos in Valkenburg is open for lunch and dinner during Kerststad Valkenburg. The restaurant is closed on Christmas Day, 25 December, and on New Year's Day, 1 January. On 31 December, Latinos is open until 21:00 and the kitchen closes at 20:00. Regular opening hours apply on all other days.
Inside it is warm, and we are ready for you. Our opening hours and directions are here: find us. More stories are on our stories page. Buon Natale, and ¡buen provecho!