The festive spirit of Christmas is just around the corner. A beautifully decorated Christmas tree, the house all lit up with cosy fairy lights and candles. Christmas music playing on the radio, losing yourself in a lovely Christmas film. For those who truly love Christmas, presents under the tree, delicious food and the very best Christmas outfits are an essential part of the festivities. Fancy doing some Christmas shopping this December? We’ve put together a list of the best Christmas and winter markets, as well as moonlight shopping events, in Westerwolde, Oldambt and the Veenkoloniën. We’ve also included a few lovely winter walks and days out for the kids. Enjoy the festive month of December.
Bourtange Christmas Market
Christmas in Bourtange, a Christmas market not to be missed. Over a hundred stalls are set up in the old fortress and over a thousand lights create a cosy atmosphere. Sipping hot chocolate or mulled wine, you can enjoy live music. As a Christmas lover, you will not run out of things to do here. The Christmas market in Bourtange can be visited every Saturday and Sunday from 29 November to 14 December. Do order your ticket in time, as they often sell out quickly.
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Moonlight shopping & Christmas shopping in Stadskanaal
Still looking for presents for the holidays, or a festive outfit? Come to Moonlight Shopping in Stadskanaal. On Friday 12 December, the city centre will be transformed into a winter paradise. Stalls will be set up throughout the centre, music will be played at various locations and you can enjoy a nice warm drink and snack. There is also an ice rink, people dressed up in Dickensian style and various activities organised from the ship the Jatrie. The shops are open until 23:00 and the Christmas market from 18:00 to 23:00. Some activities will continue on Saturday 13 December, including a Christmas market in the Canal Passage.
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Winter Christmas Fair & Dickens Festival
The Winter Christmas Fair and Dickens Festival in Veendam are on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December. The centre is full of stalls, you will find live music, a catering square and a Children's Square with old Dutch games. On Saturday, Father Christmas comes at 15.00, and both days you can enjoy a Dickens Festival with more than 50 extras. Skating is possible at the artificial ice rink on Veenlustplein and carriages drive through the centre.
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Moonlight Shopping Winschoten
On Friday evening, 19 December, the centre of Winschoten will be transformed into an enchanting winter wonderland during Moonlight Shopping.
Fancy a browse in the best boutiques or looking for a lovely Christmas outfit? Winschoten has a wide and wonderful range of shops.
Nieuwe Pekela Christmas Market
On Saturday 13 December from 09:00 to 13:30, you are welcome to the cosy Christmas and winter market at Het Tehuis in Nieuwe Pekela. There will be all kinds of fun things like Christmas pieces, wreaths, Christmas cards and handmade decorations for sale. You will also find Groningen delicacies, such as freshly baked biscuits and warm bacon tarts, with the youth offering their own creations.
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Walking in Winter Wonderland
Midwinter Horn Walk
On Saturday evening 3 January, the traditional Midwinter Horn Walk will take place in Veele. The walk of about 5 kilometres leads through the beautiful countryside around Veele. Along the way, you will enjoy stories, snacks, drinks and the enchanting sound of Westerwold and Twente midwinter horns, played by the Giezelbaargbloazers. Fire baskets and tea lights provide atmospheric lighting. Afterwards, drinks and refreshments will be available.
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The badger in the Midwolderbos
The Ennemaborg Estate is home to an animal that rarely shows itself to humans: the badger. Especially in winter, this shy animal stays well hidden. The badger is a valuable inhabitant of the area and usually searches for food quietly at night. In fact, this omnivore does not actively hunt. During a short lecture and an afternoon walk on Sunday 7 December through its habitat, you will discover all about this fascinating animal. Look for tracks and dive into the special world of the badger.
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Onstwedde shepherd walk
On 20 December, Onstwedde will once again turn into a warmly lit setting for the fourth edition of the Herderstocht. An atmospheric winter walk where young and old can experience the Christmas story in a special way. Let yourself be carried along a route of about three kilometres, marked by hundreds of lights. Along the way, you stap right into the Christmas story. You will meet Roman soldiers, the wise men, shepherds and angels. All put down a piece of the story. The tour ends at the nativity scene, where Joseph, Mary and the newborn child can be seen. At various places you will hear beautiful carols, sung by choirs and musicians. Sometimes inside, sometimes in the open air.
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Christmas walk
On 19 December, the PGS in Stadskanaal organises another atmospheric Christmas walk. An evening where the Christmas story comes to life, right in the heart of the village. The walk-in starts at 18.30 in the RK church on Poststraat. At 7pm, the walk will start together at the 'palace of Herod'. Then you will set off in smaller groups, guided by lights marking the route through Stadskanaal. Along the way, you will meet different characters from the Christmas story. They take you through the age-old story of Jesus' birth and make each stop come alive. The tour ends on the square in front of the Poststraat church, where the innkeeper awaits the groups with a little surprise. Then stap the church, where the stable with Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus can be found. The project choir and the Krinkiebloazers (Crescendo) will provide beautiful musical accompaniment and make the walk extra atmospheric.
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Christmas activities for kids
Celebrating Christmas at Dinopark & Landgoed Tenaxx
During the Christmas holidays, Dinopark & Landgoed Tenaxx transforms into a magical winter world full of adventure. From 21 December to 5 January (except 24, 25, 31 December and 1 January) you are welcome daily between 11.00 and 18.00. Look for dinosaurs like a real Ranger in the enchanted forest and have fun in the Ranger Square, where you can practice archery, jump on the inflatable assault course and take part in all kinds of winter activities and creative workshops. On Boxing Day, 26 December, the day will start extra special with Awakening at Tenaxx: an atmospheric morning programme with live traditional classical music from Mongolia. Later in the week, on 27, 28 and 29 December, you can enjoy the Midwinter DinoDays. During these days, there is plenty to discover: cosy stalls, warm delicacies on the terrace, workshops, crackling campfires and, in the evening, an enchanting torchlight procession through the park and the dino forest, accompanied by the Giezelbaarg Bloazers, midwinter horn blowers who make an age-old tradition heard among the trees.
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Disco night
Do you love swimming and dancing? Then don't miss the disco swimming at swimming pool Tropiqua. Every last Friday evening of the month, the subtropical swimming pool in Veendam turns into a splashing swimming and dancing paradise. With the latest hits, played by a DJ, and extra entertainment, you will experience an evening full of fun. The pool will be attractively lit with colourful lights and light effects, making for a flashy and swinging experience. The last Friday of the month of December, this festivity will be moved to Friday 2 January
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Christmas activities
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Bourtange Christmas Markets
Bourtange Christmas Markets
5 December, 6 December and 4 days to go , Bourtange
Market
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X-Mass Party with Hooked on Red
X-Mass Party with Hooked on Red
Friday 25 December , Veendam
Music – other
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X-Mass Party with the Euros
X-Mass Party with the Euros
Saturday 26 December , Veendam
Music – other
