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VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//ineindhoven.com//calendar//EN
X-WR-CALNAME:Arrival of Sinterklaas in Eindhoven
X-WR-TIMEZONE:Europe/Amsterdam
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:82430a896bed@ineindhoven.com
DTSTAMP:20261018T075043Z
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20261114T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20261114T140000
SUMMARY:Arrival of Sinterklaas in Eindhoven
LOCATION:Markt\, Markt\, Eindhoven
DESCRIPTION:In the middle of November\, children all over the Netherlands are counting the days: Sinterklaas is coming. In Eindhoven\, his arrival (the "intocht") is expected on Saturday 14 November 2026\, on the Markt in the city centre. Admission is free. Please note: the date has been passed on by the local organisation to sinterklaas.nl\, but the full programme\, the route through the city and the end time have not yet been published. We will update this page as soon as the official details are known. Always check the latest information before you go. Who is Sinterklaas? For international families\, Sinterklaas can be a bit of a mystery. He is an old man with a long white beard\, a red bishop's robe and mitre\, and a staff. According to the story\, he lives in Spain and comes to the Netherlands every year by steamboat\, in the middle of November\, with his helpers. He rides a white horse over the rooftops at night. Sinterklaas is not the same as Santa Claus\, although they share the same historical roots in Saint Nicholas. The national arrival in 2026 takes place on the same day\, Saturday 14 November\, in Grave\, and is broadcast live on television. After that\, Sinterklaas visits towns and cities across the country\, including Eindhoven. What happens in Eindhoven? According to the information available so far: Date: Saturday 14 November 2026. Programme: starts at 12:00 on the Markt. Arrival of Sinterklaas: around 13:00. Location: the Markt\, in the city centre. In earlier years Sinterklaas arrived on the 18 Septemberplein\; in 2026 the arrival moves to the Markt. On the day itself\, the centre of Eindhoven turns into a large festival area. Expect music\, singing\, and lots of children dressed up\, waving and hoping for a handshake or a few pepernoten (small spiced biscuits). Check in advance which streets are closed. Tips for families Come early. The best spots near the Markt fill up well before Sinterklaas arrives. Learn a song. Children sing traditional Sinterklaas songs while waiting. Dutch classmates or neighbours will happily teach your children one. Dress warmly. Mid-November can be cold and wet\, and you may stand outside for a while. Leave the car at home. Public transport\, the bike or walking is the easiest way to reach the city centre. Note the busy evening. The same evening is the last evening of GLOW\, so the city centre will be busy all day. The weeks after the arrival After the arrival\, children put their shoe by the fireplace or the door in the evening\, often with a carrot for the horse\, and find a small present or sweets in it the next morning. The festivities end on the evening of 5 December\, when families celebrate pakjesavond (present evening) with gifts and humorous poems. Schools celebrate too\, so international children quickly learn all about it. Why go? The arrival of Sinterklaas is one of the most typically Dutch traditions there is\, and for young children it is pure magic. For newcomers it is also a great way to understand something that every Dutch person grew up with. See also Eindhoven with kids\, the free events in the city and the calendar for November 2026.
URL:https://ineindhoven.com/event/sinterklaas-arrival-eindhoven-2026
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