Winterpaleis Het Loo
Visitors can tour historical palace rooms decorated for royal holiday celebrations with festive greenery, set tables, and illuminated Christmas trees. Outside, the grounds feature the National Christmas Tree, an illuminated stables square, and a sprint track with pedalos and go-karts. Families can participate in a snowflake scavenger hunt, make winter crafts in the Junior Palace, and take pictures at festive photo spots.
What to Expect
Illuminated palace rooms, royal table settings, and the National Christmas Tree.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Organizer
Paleis Het Loo
Food & Drink
Café Oost has a reading corner where visitors can relax with a drink.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families and christmas-light fans
Vibe
Festive and atmospheric
Energy Level
Moderate
Budget
€€
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Moderate
Location
Know Before You Go
- Hours: Daily 10:00–17:00; evening openings until 19:00 on 19 and 20 December, 27 December, and 2 and 3 January. Sprint and race track and snowflake trail: daily 10:00–17:00. Winteratelier: weekends 10:00–17:00. Puppet theater: weekends; times to follow.
- Parking: The car park is at the entrance on the Amersfoortseweg, with a paid day rate. Parking tickets are sold at the ticket desk, at the machine next to the car park and at the entrance-building kiosk. There's charging for electric cars and e-bikes.
- Accessibility: Elevators are available to reach different levels of the palace.
- Pets: Assistance dogs are welcome; pets are not allowed.
Tips & Advice
- Buy your tickets online ahead of time to be sure you get in, although tickets are still sold at the desk on the day.
- Come on one of the evening openings in December or early January to see the palace and its Christmas trees lit up after dark.
- Take your bank card or wallet with you when you leave your coat and bag at the cloakroom, since neither can go into the palace.
- Ride the shuttle bus from the entrance building to the palace if you'd rather skip the ten-minute walk along the stables lane.
- Pack a picnic if you like, because your own food is allowed in the gardens and around the stables square, though not inside the palace.
Special Events & Promotions
- Evening openings on 19, 20 and 27 December and 2 and 3 January
- National Christmas Tree lighting with a music program on Wednesday 9 December, in front of the palace
- Winter lecture by curator Paul Rem on Tuesdays 1, 8 and 15 December; reservation required
- Puppet theatre on weekends during the Christmas holidays
- VIP-KAART holders bring a guest free until the end of December, and Postcodeloterij voordeelgids codes give 20% off until 31 December
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there for children?
A sprint and race track with summer skis, pedalos and go-karts runs daily on the stables square, and the 12-snowflake trail runs daily along the stables lane. On weekends, the Winteratelier in the Juniorpaleis lets kids cut snowflakes and decorate a crown.
Can I keep my coat on inside the palace?
No. For safety, coats, bags and umbrellas can't go into the palace. Leave them at the free cloakroom or in a locker, which opens with your ticket's QR code.
How long should I allow?
A visit takes about four hours on average. Walking one palace route and visiting the roof takes about three hours.
Can I bring my own food?
Yes. You can eat in the gardens and around the stables square, but not inside the palace. There's also a reading corner at café Oost where you can relax with a drink.
How far is the walk from the entrance to the palace?
About 500 metres, or roughly a ten-minute walk along the stables lane. A shuttle bus also runs between the entrance building and the palace.
More Christmas Events Near Apeldoorn
More Christmas Events near Apeldoorn
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.