8x the best Christmas holiday activities in North Limburg

| | Reading time: 17 minutes |

The days are getting shorter, the lights are burning again. Time for warm socks, 'n mug of chocolate milk with whipped cream and fine outings this Christmas holiday. In North Limburg, we make it cosy. No rush, no fuss, just enjoy. From a visit to Maaspoort Venlo, winter walks in nature to the winter wonderland of Toverland: here you will experience golden moments. Feel like getting away from it all? Come along, we'll take you along the best getaways this Christmas break in northern Limburg.

 

  1. Oliebollentocht in Beesel
  2. Visit Toverland's winter wonderland during Winter Feelings
  3. Christmas walk in Horst aan de Maas
  4. Skating at Venlo on Ice
  5. Discover nativity scenes during the Kribkesroute in Meijel
  6. Take a winter walk through Ysselsteyn at Paardekop
  7. Visit theatre Maaspoort in the heart of Venlo
  8. Discover the winter wonderland of Strawberry Country

 

 

1. Oliebollentocht in Beesel: winter hiking as it should be

Fancy a winter walk with a warm reward at the end? Just put Sunday 28 December in your diary. Because then it is time for the Oliebollentocht in Beesel. This is one of the most fun outings for the Christmas holidays. Three beautiful routes await you: one of six, one of 12 and one of 18 kilometres. You just choose what suits you. Along the way, you walk through the wintery landscape around Beesel, with Junction 91 as a warm stopover. There the fire crackles and coffee, tea, hot chocolate and mulled wine are waiting for you. And yes: an oliebol is part of the package, of course. The tour ends at the tastefully decorated Market Square in Beesel. There the smell of fresh waffles is already present and you are welcome to enjoy a delicious lunch provided by De Troubadour, Mert 5 and De Bongerd. Want to be sure of a spot? Then it's handy to book in advance.

  • Date: Sunday, 28 December
  • Starting point: Bouten Nursery, Ouddorp 9, Beesel
  • Length: 6, 12 or 18 kilometres
  • You can register at: wsc-de-solberg.nl or wandel.nl
  • Price: for all three routes, you pay €7.50. Children under 12 are free and KWBN members receive a €1.00 discount
  • Included: one drink and one oliebol at the break point

Bouten Nursery, Ouddorp 9, Beesel

2. Visit Winter Feelings: the winter wonderland of Toverland

Toverland's six themed areas transform into one big winter wonderland during Winter Feelings. Everywhere you look you will see cosy campfires, twinkling lights and decorated Christmas trees. Live music echoes through the streets and street theatre can be found on every corner. Inside, warm up with your hands around a mug of steaming tea or just from all the happy faces around you. In the mood for action? Slip your feet into ice skates, throw a stone at the curling alley or float down the snow slope on a tube. Whether you come for the atmosphere, the snow fun or the speed of a roller coaster: Winter Feelings in Toverland is worth a visit during the Christmas holidays.

Toverlaan 2, Sevenum, Horst aan de Maas

 

3. Find Santa during the Christmas walk in Horst aan de Maas

On 27 December, walk through an atmospherically lit forest full of surprises. Young and old enjoy light and dark, sound and silence. But this year, something is up... Father Christmas has disappeared! Where was he last seen? At Huys ter Horst Castle, where he celebrated Christmas with his elves. Cosy it sure was, until he was suddenly fetched. Luckily, he left a trail in the forest. And if we follow it together, we might find him again. Exciting, isn't it? The route is about four kilometres, but if you want to make it shorter, that's possible too. Tip from the organisers: come on foot or by bike.

  • Date: 27 December
  • Starting point: between 18.00 and 19.30 at Huys ter Horst Castle
  • Length: 4 kilometres
  • View all information on landschaphorstaandemaas.nl

Kasteellaan 2, Horst, Horst aan de Maas

 

4. Ice skating in the heart of Venlo at Venlo on Ice

From the Oude Markt, the familiar crunch of irons on ice can be heard again. In the middle of the city is a large ice rink where you can do a lot of laps with family or friends. And even those who prefer to stay with dry socks need not be bored. On the cosy catering square you look out over all that merry sliding and skating fun. With a mug of mulled wine or hot chocolate in your hand and maybe a piece of Limburg flan to go with it, now that's enjoyment. There is something to do every day. From school skating to ice hockey, from curling to a real silent disco on the ice. So put on your warm coat, hat and off you go to the winter wonderland in Venlo.

Old Market, Venlo

5. Come and discover nativity scenes during the Kribkesroute in Meijel

Take a walk together past Meijel's most beautiful nativity scenes. Between 14 December and 6 January, walk the Kribkesroute. On foot or by bike, just as you like it. With a map in your hand or just scan the QR code and go. You don't have to do it all at once. Starting point each time is St Nicolas Church, but how and when you walk the route is entirely up to you. The cribs are numbered and are just along the public road. At each stall, you can discover the story of the nativity scene. This is a Meijels-style Christmas: warm, active and together. Looking for special outings in the Christmas holidays in Northern Limburg? Then this is a golden tip.

  • Dates: 14 December 2025 to 6 January 2026
  • Starting point: Raadhuisplein 13, Meijel, Peel en Maas
  • View all information at parochiemeijel.nl

Raadhuisplein 13, Meijel, Peel en Maas

 

6. Take a winter walk through Ysselsteyn at the Paardekop

Taking some time out during the Christmas holidays? Good idea! North Limburg has plenty of spots in nature where you can enjoy strolling around. One such gem is De Paardekop near Ysselsteyn. A vast nature reserve of some 200 hectares, with woods as far as you can see. Here you can walk, cycle or ride on horseback along winding paths, open spaces and resting places. Climb the watchtower and look out over the green heart of the region. Want to discover even more beauty? In our blog 7x the most beautiful nature reserves for a walk in the woods in North Limburg , we will tell you about even more places where you can really get away from it all.

Routetip

  • Starting point: Peelken 2, Ysselsteyn
  • Distance: 3.1 kilometres
  • Duration: approximately 45 minutes

View the route at venraybloeit.nl

 

7. Experience the Christmas holidays in theatre Maaspoort, the beating heart of Venlo

A visit to Maaspoort Venlo is one of those outings in the Christmas holidays that will stay with you. This vibrant theatre, the largest in North Limburg, has been a place for experiences and encounters since 1984. During the Christmas holidays it is extra cosy here in North Limburg. The programme includes performances full of music and humour. Visit the Christmas Concert: a concert in which you will be immersed in a warm and festive atmosphere of Christmas carols. On this musical evening, you will enjoy atmospheric Christmas classics, played by The New Symphonics and beautifully sung by choir Coro Classico. Or take the children to see The Christmas Bunny, a performance based on Marc-Uwe Kling's picture book. With some 300 activities a year and thousands of visitors, De Maaspoort is the beating heart of Venlo. Here you experience theatre as it is meant to be: together, close by and surprising.

  • View the programme on the Maaspoort Venlo website
  • Price: prices vary depending on the show. Children up to 12 years old are free

Oude Markt 30, Venlo

 

8. Discover the winter wonderland of Strawberry Country

Aardbeienland in Horst is all about one thing: the strawberry. But around mid-December, the park gets a winter makeover. Then the old strawberry greenhouses transform into a winter wonderland, complete with illuminated tunnels, gnome houses with lights and winter fairytale characters. Fancy something tasty? In the restaurant you will enjoy pancakes, a good bouncer and other hot snacks. And of course a mug of steaming chocolate milk, with a dollop of whipped cream, while the stove is comfortably glowing.

  • Price: for a day ticket, you pay €9.95. Children under 3 are free
  • In winter, the winter wonderland of The Strawberry Country is open on a limited basis
  • View current opening hours on the website

Kreuzelweg 3, Horst, Horst aan de Maas

 

More golden moments - There is so much more to experience! Read our tips.

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