December in Dordrecht is the perfect time to enjoy yourself! And all during the Dordrecht December Days. Friday evening, December 13, marks the start of Dwaalspoor and after that, the city center will be full of winter activities until the end of the year. The intimate December Market with cozy wooden chalets on Saturday, December 14 and 15, the atmospheric Winter Garden including a nostalgic fairground attraction and various food and beverage outlets, tours and city walks - there is plenty to do. And, of course, you can set off on your own with the wonderful Dwaalspoor light route! Dwaalspoor can be visited daily from December 13 to 30 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Enjoy the cozy December atmosphere during Dordt December Days!
Wanderlust light trail
The route of Dwaalspoor is about 1.5 km through the historic center and starts every evening from about 17h00. Be surprised at various locations by light projects on special - monumental - buildings and places in the city. This year's Dwaalspoor story can rightly be called special. The story of Dwaalspoor is about Otis, who is a lanternlighter or Swindler: a cocky water creature who lit the lanterns every evening. The story takes you to the old city hall, the old cloth hall, not to mention the old jail. All surrounded by a blue mysterious light. If you are with children, you will do a fun scavenger hunt through the city during Dwaalspoor. You will undoubtedly enjoy it yourself - look around you, see how beautiful Dordrecht is. Stand still for a moment, feel the atmosphere of the city around you and enjoy!
Wanderlust with city guide
Curious about the stories behind the light projects? Then book a guided city walk along the stories of the Wandering Trail every day from December 13 to 30.
Experience the city's rich history in the dark, discover dark stories, romantic events and exciting legends from days gone by. During the Dordt December Days, the historic city center is more atmospheric than ever.
Singing Christmas classics during Sing-a-long
Sing along with your friends and family to all the Christmas classics! This is possible during the official opening of the Dordt December Days on Friday evening, December 13, and on Saturday evening, December 14, from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the Stadhuisplein during the Christmas Sing-a-long.
The Santa Run also promises to be an extra cozy edition. On Friday evening, December 13, at 6:30 p.m., the party will start on the Stadhuisplein with lots of runners in Santa suits. After the Santa Run you can immediately join all your Santa friends at the Sing-a-Long. If you still have enough energy after the run to sing along ;)
Intimate December Market
On Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15, you will come across cozy wooden Christmas chalets filled with great Christmas products on the Grotekerksbuurt and Groenmarkt, among others. After the successful edition in 2023, this year's December Market has expanded to 50 wooden chalets. In addition to the Christmas houses, you can feast at a number of food trucks located adjacent to the garden of the Grote Kerk. The Decembermarkt is an intimate, cozy market that treats you to fun, truly Dordrecht products, among other things. The December Market is on Saturday, December 14, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sunday, December 15, from noon to 8 p.m.
Street theater and music during shopping
During the Dordt December Days, enjoy music and street theater. In the afternoon on December 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22, let yourself be surprised by various artists. The streets of Dordrecht will transform into a living stage where they will perform their skills. You will run into them automatically: Christmas bands, storytellers, a real Dickensian ensemble and more! The nice thing is that everything moves and therefore it is enjoyable throughout the city!"
Conviviality in Winter Garden
The garden of the Grote Kerk will also be an atmospheric hotspot from December 26 to 30. Here you will find the cozy Winter Garden, where Dordrecht catering entrepreneurs will offer their delicacies, daily from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.. There is a nostalgic fairground attraction for children and live music on an intimate stage to complete the atmosphere. This is the perfect place for winter fun.
Small Skippers Guild tours
From the start of the Dordrecht December Days, take a canal cruise with the Klein Schippersgilde. Extra fun in the December month, because the city is most beautiful from the water in December. In addition, a number of light projects by Dwaalspoor can be seen from the water. Also fun: the Long Iron Bridge will look just like it did in the early 1920s! With beautiful decoration and lighting of yesteryear, completely in the atmosphere of that time. You can admire this during a cruise in the evening. The view from the boat on the historic harbor is truly a picture!
From hospitality to shopping
But there is even more during the Dordt December Days. Delicious dining in the Dordrecht hospitality industry, Christmas shopping at local stores and enjoying a sea of lights that transform the city into a winter wonderland. The city center itself is a gift full of atmospheric shopping streets, beautiful lights and Christmas trees scattered throughout the city.
Closing with a bang
On December 31, we end the year - and usher in the new year - with fireworks, during the traditional, spectacular fireworks show at the Three Rivers Point. Insider tip: on Merwekade and Groothoofd you have the best spot! At the same time, it's a nice finale to the Dordt December Days. We will then undoubtedly look back on two pleasant weeks, with not only a beautiful walking route, but also various fun activities that are completely in keeping with the December month.
Let the party begin! For the entire programming, check out dordtsedecemberdays.nl and follow the socials: Facebook and Instagram @dordtsedecemberdays.
