Group tour operator and DMC for the Netherlands
A Christmas Carol – Dickens Festival in the Netherlands
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Dickens Festival 2016, Deventer © Ronald Hissink
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Dickens Festival 2015, Deventer, Netherlands © Gerard Dubois
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Scrooge, Dicken Festival Deventer © Gerard Dubois
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Dickens Festival 2016, Deventer
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Dickens Festival 2016, Deventer © Ronald Hissink
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Dickens Festijn 2013 ©Foto PR Naamsvermelding Gerard Dubois
Delight in the festive spirit as Victorian England arrives in the Dutch town of Deventer
For one weekend each December, the town of Deventer in Holland travels back to the 19th century. For 2 days only, Charles Dickens’ worlds come to life in the picturesque Bergkwartier. Oliver Twist, Scrooge, Marley and Mr Pickwick, along with over 900 characters from Dickens’ famous books, will all be revived. The smells of punch, puffed potatoes and roasted chestnuts fill the air as beggars and thieves (not real!) roam the streets. Wealthy gentlemen in top hats parade through the streets and on the Sunday, there’s a Christmas market to enjoy.
Christmas Carol Singers go from door to door. The scenery of the festival consists of historical buildings and houses, Christmas trees and thousands of little lights. The romantic Dickensian era reawakens, not only in the street, but also behind the windows, in the houses and in the little shops and galleries. On Sunday, there’s a Christmas Market in the main square with over 200 stands and choirs and orchestras fill the local churches with Christmas music. The cultural programme is full of orchestras and vocal ensembles. Furthermore, this wonderful and popular event is free to enjoy, although there may be a queue!
Festival dates and times are 13 and 14 December 2025 between 11.00 – 17.00 hours (2026 to be confirmed)
Dates
December 2025 and 2026
Suggested itinerary by coach
Day 1
Depart the UK
Travel to Dover for the short crossing to Calais before continuing to your hotel in Holland.
Day 2
Dickens Festival – Deventer (Saturday)
In the Bergkwartier, more than 950 characters from the books of Charles Dickens come to life from Scrooge to Oliver Twist, from Mr. Pickwick to Christmas Carol Singers, from orphans to office clerks and distinguished people. The festival attracts many thousands of visitors from home and abroad. The entry is free but there may be a queue to enter the festival.
Most of the shops in the historic Bergkwartier take part in the event, with festive window displays and often actors or locals sitting in the windows to interact with passersby. There are are also many pop-up stalls/carts throughout the walking route selling delicious snacks and drinks, like waffles, roasted chestnuts, soup, hot chocolate or mulled wine.
Return to the hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.
Day 3
Winter at Het Loo Palace and Dickens Festival Christmas Market (Sunday)
Het Loo Palace in Apeldoorn is transformed into a true Winter Palace. With Christmas trees and decorations inside and outside. The avenue of stables towards the palace is decorated with Christmas trees and in front of the palace shines the beautiful Christmas tree. Inside you can see how the Oranges decorated their house for Christmas. Walk the palace routes of William and Mary and Wilhelmina and discover how Christmas decorations keep up with the times. From evergreen in the time of William and Mary to decorated Christmas trees in the time of Wilhelmina. At Winter Palace Het Loo you will experience Christmas in different times. The palace and gardens are open 10.00 – 17.00 hours.
In the afternoon, back in Deventer, revisit the Dickens Festival which also hosts a Christmas Market in the Brink, Deventer’s Main Square. Local churches have choirs and orchestras playing festive music to get you in the Christmas spirit.
Return to the hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.
Day 4
Return to the UK
Depart for Calais and take the ferry across to Dover, and home.
Suggested Hotels
Best Western Baars, Harderwijk ****
Best Western Hotel Baars is a 4 star hotel, which has been a family owned business since 1875. Situated in the historic centre of Harderwijk, it’s just a 7 minute walk from the beach. The café-brasserie with its connected conservatory offers a bright setting for drinks, lunch and an à la carte dinner. The guest rooms offer coffee and tea facilities, telephone, digital television, and a safe. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.
Hotel Villa Vennendal, Nunspeet ****
Located around an hour east of Amsterdam, this hotel is located in the green, dense Veluwe area. Situated just outside the village of Nunspeet, it has easy access to Nunspeet Satation just a 5 minute walk away. The 4 star has an on-site restaurant, free Wi-Fi, free coach-parking, concierge service, swimming pool, fitness centre, 24-hour reception.
Departure Date |
4 days/3 nights | Single Supplement |
| December 2025 and 2026 | Price on request | Price on request |
