Sinterklaas arrival 2026: when and where does he arrive?
Your little one asks every morning how many more sleeps until Sinterklaas is here. Here's the answer. In 2026 the national arrival is on Saturday 14 November in Grave, and after that he comes ashore once more in the big cities. Below you'll find where and when, with the times known so far.
National arrival 2026: Grave
On Saturday 14 November the steamboat docks at the Maaskade around 12:00, in the historic town centre of Grave. Mayor Marieke Moorman is there to welcome Sinterklaas. The procession then winds through the old town to the Markt, where the party goes on until 16:00.
Going yourself? Arrive early, ideally by bike or public transport, because the municipality expects visitors from all over the country. Parking in the centre is reserved for residents. Visitors park on sites outside town, such as at tennis club THOS or on the Generaal de Bonsweg, and shuttle buses take you into the centre. Is your little one in a wheelchair or adapted buggy? There will be a separate viewing area along the route, which you can request a spot for in advance via the municipality. If it rains, bring a raincoat rather than an umbrella so everyone can see Sinterklaas.
Would you rather stay home on the sofa? NPO Zapp broadcasts the arrival live on NPO 3 from 12:00, presented by Merel Westrik. From Monday 9 November you can follow his journey in the Sinterklaasjournaal.
Rotterdam arrival: Saturday 14 November
Rotterdam celebrates on the same day as the national arrival. The party starts at 11:00 on the Willemsplein. Sinterklaas arrives there around 13:00, after the show that kicks off at 12:30. Then the parade moves through the city centre to the Grotekerkplein, where the arrival ends at 14:30. Entry is free. Looking for more to do in the city afterwards? Have a look at kids activities in Rotterdam.
The Hague arrival: Saturday 14 November in Scheveningen
In The Hague, Sinterklaas sails into Scheveningen harbour on Saturday 14 November. According to denhaag.com, the day starts there at 10:00. After the welcome at the harbour, the procession travels along the shopping streets of The Hague, and the celebrations wrap up around 16:30. There is no official timetable for the parade yet, so check denhaag.com just before the day to see when Sinterklaas passes your corner. For more to do in the city, see kids activities in The Hague.
Groningen arrival: Saturday 14 November
At 13:00 the steamboat sails up the Reitdiep and docks in the Zuiderhaven, at rowing club De Hunze. The Koninklijke Vereeniging voor Volksvermaken welcomes Sinterklaas there. At 14:10 he mounts Ozosnel and the parade sets off from the Praediniussingel, led by Gruno's Postharmonie and Showband Noorderveld Roden. The route runs via the Westerhaven and the Oosterstraat to the Grote Markt. It ends around 15:30, and watching is free.
Has your little one made a drawing for Sinterklaas? Write your name and address on it and hand it to a Piet along the route, and you will get a reply by post. Gluten free pepernoten come from the Piet in the green vest. Looking for more to do in the city? See kids activities in Groningen.
Amsterdam arrival: Sunday 15 November
Amsterdam gets its turn a day later. At 10:15 the steamboat arrives at De Omval, then sails along the Amstel past Theater Carré to Het Scheepvaartmuseum, where it docks at 11:30. At 13:00 Sinterklaas mounts his horse at the Stopera on the Waterlooplein. He rides via the Rembrandtplein and the Utrechtsestraat to the Leidseplein, arriving around 14:15. The programme on the Leidseplein starts at 13:45 and runs until 15:30.
Sint in Amsterdam calls these times a guideline, so Sinterklaas may be a few minutes early or late. Arrive in good time and find your spot. Looking for more to do in the city? See kids activities in Amsterdam.
Breda arrival: Saturday 14 November
In Breda the procession leaves the Grote Markt at 14:00, where the programme starts too. Sinterklaas rides through the city centre, including the Visserstraat and the Halstraat, and is back on the Grote Markt around 15:30. At 16:00 he speaks to the children from the steps of the town hall. Around 17:00 everyone heads home to put out their shoe.
The Halstraat has a low stimulus zone where the music Pieten play more quietly. A sign language Piet interprets the speech on the town hall steps, and you can spot the Gluten Free Piet by his baker's outfit. For more to do in the city, see kids activities in Breda.
Den Bosch arrival: Sunday 15 November
Den Bosch celebrates the arrival of Sinterklaas with the Bossche Sint Spektakel, this year on Sunday 15 November. The organisers have not shared the 2026 programme yet. For more to do in the city, see kids activities in Den Bosch.
Eindhoven arrival: Saturday 14 November
On Saturday 14 November Sinterklaas comes to the Markt in Eindhoven city centre. The times have not been announced yet. The organisers share updates on the Sinteindhoven.nl social channels. For more to do in the city, see kids activities in Eindhoven.
Tilburg arrival: Sunday 15 November
Around 12:00 Sinterklaas docks in the Piushaven. He mounts Ozosnel there and the procession winds through the streets around the harbour. Via the Heuvelstraat it heads to the Willemsplein, where the celebrations continue. The whole arrival runs from 12:00 to 16:00. For more to do in the city, see kids activities in Tilburg.
Zwolle arrival: Saturday 14 November
On the Rodetorenplein the party starts at 13:15 with a DJ, followed at 13:30 by a stage programme with a jet ski show. At 13:45 Sinterklaas arrives and the mayor welcomes him. At 14:45 the parade sets off through the city centre. Around 15:45 he is back on the square, and it all ends at 16:15. The organisers call this a provisional programme. For more to do in the city, see kids activities in Zwolle.
Arnhem arrival: Saturday 14 November
In Arnhem the party starts at 15:00 on the Rijnkade. Presenters Rob and Sander lead the Sinterklaas songs, dances and interviews, and your kids can join in. For more to do in the city, see kids activities in Arnhem.
Apeldoorn arrival: Saturday 14 November
In Apeldoorn, Sinterklaas comes to the Oranjepark on Saturday 14 November. The time has not been announced yet. Live near Beekbergen? He arrives there the same day by steam train. For more to do in the city, see kids activities in Apeldoorn.
More arrivals around the country
In Enschede the boat arrives in the harbour at 11:00 on Saturday 14 November, and at 14:05 Sinterklaas waves from the town hall balcony. Maastricht welcomes him the same day at 11:00 on the Kesselskade. In Middelburg the boat docks at the Punt around 13:30, and Sinterklaas reaches the Markt around 15:15. Assen and Leeuwarden also celebrate on Saturday 14 November, but their times have not been announced yet. The Utrecht organisers have not shared a date yet.
After the arrival: Sinterklaas outings with the kids
Once Sinterklaas is in the country, it's time for putting out shoes and munching pepernoten. Below you'll find a few Sinterklaas outings to start with. All shows and activities up to pakjesavond are on Sinterklaas with kids, and tips for your poem on writing a Sinterklaas poem.