It will be enjoyable during the Dordrecht December Days, from December 15 to 31 in the historic center! The city center is a gift in itself during this period. Not only by the atmospheric (shopping) streets with beautiful lighting, but also by all kinds of winter activities during the Dordtse Decemberdagen. The inner city is the place to be this holiday month.
Enjoy December atmosphere during Dordt December Days!
Opening, Santa Run and Sing-a-long
The opening night of the Dordt December Days is on Friday, December 15, at the Stadhuisplein. The cozy Santa Run with numerous running Santa Clauses will start here at 6:30 p.m. with a warm-up. Then it will be time for the official opening by alderman Maarten Burggraaf and the organization of the event; Gerben Baaij (director Dordrecht Marketing & Partners) and Jaap Huisman (chairman POBD). A festive moment, celebrating the start of the Dordrecht December Days! Then it's time for the traditional Sing-a-long at 8 pm. Enjoy an hour of singing along with Christmas songs accompanied by a live band! Wonderful to get into the Christmas spirit together.
Intimate December Market
Looking for inspiration for Christmas gifts? Then visit the intimate, nostalgic December Market on the Grotekerksbuurt. On Saturday, Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 17 from noon to 8 p.m.. You will encounter cozy wooden Christmas houses filled with fun Christmas products. In addition to the Christmas houses, you can feast at a number of food trucks located adjacent to the garden of the Great Church. The December Market is an intimate, cozy market that treats you to fun, truly Dordrecht products, among other things.
Street theater and music during shopping
During the Dordrecht December Days, enjoy music and street theater. In the afternoon on December 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24, let yourself be surprised by various artists. The streets of Dordrecht will be transformed into a living stage where they will perform their skills. You will automatically bump into them: Christmas bands, storytellers, a real Dickensian ensemble and more! There is also plenty to do in the Hof; including the living forest, projections and music. Ton van der Kolk and Liselotte Gatzen are pleased with this addition to the December Days of Dordt program. "All the activities are Christmas-related and therefore extra cozy. The nice thing is that everything moves around and therefore it is enjoyable throughout the city!"
Walk through downtown with Wanderlust
For many, it has become a regular recipe during the Dordt December Days: Dwaalspoor. Every evening - except Christmas Day - from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. walk through the historic center in a route of over a kilometer. Join us on a nostalgic journey of discovery along ten special memories. Be enchanted by light projections during an atmospheric walk and enjoy the rich city stories! Walking around, watching, enjoying a snack and drink at various catering establishments - it's all about fun! Take a cozy evening stroll, but just a little different because you are now walking around a beautifully lit city. If you come between Christmas and New Year's Eve, a nice surprise awaits you in the Wolwevershaven. Just a hint: it has something to do with a boat and a small light show.
Wanderlust with city guide
Curious about the stories behind the light art projections? Then book a guided city walk along the tales of the Wandering Trail. 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.
Winter plaza with nostalgic carousel
From December 26 to 30, the garden of the Great Church will be a beautiful winter scene. A nostalgic carousel where children can take a free ride, a small stage with musical entertainment, Christmas trees and wooden catering chalets. At the Winter Square you will be surprised by entrepreneurs from Dordrecht who together radiate the December atmosphere. Glühwein, poffertjes and hot chocolate - go for a snack and a drink, not to mention a good dose of fun! The Winter Square is only there during the second week of the Dordt December Days, to enjoy the Christmas season together.
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 art projections 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 canal cruise. The view from the boat on the historic harbor is truly a picture! The tours take place at night, when the city is at its most beautiful with all the lights. Is a moment full? Not to worry. The tours take place for two weeks (except on Christmas Day).
Wrapping service: from gift to dream gift
Have your gifts wrapped extra festively at the cozy wrapping service in the FC Dordrecht Store in the city center (Achterom 95-97, Dordrecht). Here, you will transform your Christmas shopping into beautifully wrapped gifts that sparkle under your Christmas tree , free of charge. The wrapping service is offered by the retailers of the Achterom and is open on Friday, December 22, Saturday, December 23 and Sunday, December 24. On all days, the wrapping service is open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Also at lunchroom Den Witten Haen is an extra wrapping service point again this year. From December 18 to 22, this is also the right place to have all your purchases turned into beautiful items for under the Christmas tree free of charge. Open every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during this period at Groenmarkt 19B.
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 us on Facebook and Instagram @dordtsedecemberdays.
