Every year in December, we set off in search of Christmas magic somewhere. That time, we discovered the Valkenburg Christmas markets (or Fauquemont) in the Netherlands, and their unique feature is well worth the trip: they are underground, set up in the marl caves that hollow out the town’s hill. It is the largest covered Christmas market in Europe, and above all the most unusual one we have seen.
In this article, we tell you what the two caves, the parade, and Santa’s village are really like, but also all the practical details: the 2026 dates, the map of the different sites, how to get there from France, where to stay, and where to eat. Shall I take you along?
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Valkenburg Christmas markets: the essentials at a glance
| 🎄 In short | ✨ What you need to know |
|---|---|
| 2026 dates | From November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027 |
| Where | Valkenburg aan de Geul (Fauquemont), Limburg, Netherlands. |
| The two caves | The Gemeentegrot, Europe’s largest underground Christmas market, and the Fluweelengrot, beneath the castle ruins. |
| Hours | Monday to Thursday: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday: 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (or 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. depending on the sections) Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
| Prices | One ticket per cave, available from the official ticket office. |
| Temperature | Around 10-11 °C underground all year round: bring a jacket, even in mild weather. |
| Recommended duration | One day for the essentials, a weekend to see everything without rushing. |
| From France | About 4 h 30 by car from Paris, 2 h 30 from Lille, 1 h 45 from Brussels. |
| Our tip | Come during the week: on weekends, the town gets packed and cave time slots sell out weeks in advance. |
Valkenburg Christmas markets
Valkenburg in Dutch, Fauquemont in French, is a town in the Netherlands located in the south of the province of Limburg. (By the way, its full name is Valkenburg-aan-de-Geul, meaning Valkenburg on the Geul, the name of the river that runs through the town). Although it has a few notable historic sites, it is best known for its cave Christmas markets. Indeed, at the foot of Cauberg hill lies a labyrinth of caves and underground galleries, remnants of marl quarrying since the Roman Empire. In this unusual maze, visitors step into a fairy-tale world of illuminations, Christmas trees, stalls, and Christmas decorations.
On the program: Christmas markets in the caves, miniature villages, sand sculptures, Santa’s village, illuminations, food stalls, a parade… The Valkenburg Christmas markets are truly very complete, and the setting is lovely!
The Christmas market in the municipal cave (Gemeentegrot)
Starting around mid-November, the marl corridors of the municipal cave put on their finest winter attire. Christmas lights and decorations take over the underground galleries, down to the smallest corners. Everywhere, there are food stalls, souvenir sellers, Christmas gifts: everything you need to put under the tree or enjoy a gourmet break. What did we like? That there is a bit of everything: of course, you’ll find the “made in China” hats or gloves, but you’ll also find many handcrafted items, decorations we are not used to seeing, etc. Naturally, there are the traditional string lights, baubles, and all kinds of Christmas figurines… There really is something for every taste. No wonder it is the largest underground Christmas market in Europe!
The Christmas market in the Velvet Cave (Fluweelengrot)
Located beneath the ruins of Valkenburg Castle, the Velvet Cave offers more or less the same spectacle as its “big sister.” Christmas lights, decorations, and all kinds of stalls are also set up in the yellow marl corridors of this cave. The small difference lies in the charcoal drawings and other artworks carved into the walls.
Which Christmas market should you visit in Valkenburg?
In my opinion, it would be a shame to come all the way to Valkenburg and visit only one cave: the two Christmas markets are quite different, and each is worth the detour. But if you really have to choose just one, I recommend the Gemeentegrot, which is more spectacular and larger, with more stalls and decorations. The Fluweelengrot, on the other hand, is more interesting for its historic setting, its galleries, and the sculptures and drawings you can see on the walls.
The miniatures in the MergelRijk cave
In this cave, there are no Christmas markets, but rather a 30-meter-long underground exhibition of miniatures depicting the story of the Nativity. Thousands of figurines, settings, magnificent scenes… Meticulous work that will appeal to both children and adults. The permanent collection, meanwhile, represents several scenes from the lives of the miners who once worked there (it reminded us of our weekend in the mines of northern France a few months earlier).
The Christmas parade
In the program, we read that “a magical parade with magnificent costumes” wandered through the town twice a week during the holidays. We settled onto the restaurant terrace to enjoy it. Well, it was nice… but clearly it is mostly aimed at children, with a few funny costumes and a few decorated floats. Maybe we are spoiled because of our magnificent festivals in Portugal, but we were not all that impressed… That said, it was voted the best Christmas parade in Europe in 2025, so it has clearly grown a lot since our visit!
Santa’s village
Of course, you will find traditional little wooden chalets at the Valkenburg Christmas markets. Located near the river, the setting is really nice, with several lovely stalls, illuminations, etc. nearby. Not to be missed once evening falls, perhaps with a glass of mulled wine as a bonus!
Sand sculptures
We did not linger there because it did not interest us all that much… But you can also discover impressive sand sculptures beneath the underground tunnels.
What else is there to do in Valkenburg?
In addition to the Christmas markets and its caves, the town has a few sites to visit, especially remains from the Middle Ages. Here are a few ideas:
- the Berkelpoort
- the Grendelpoort
- the Geulpoort
- the castle ruins
- the funicular
- Fauquemont station: the oldest in the Netherlands
- a walk along the town’s river, Kleine Gueul.
You can also book a guided tour of the town, which is interesting if you want to learn more about its history!
Valkenburg Christmas markets: the practical corner
Where to stay?
As with the Christmas markets in Alsace the previous year, I booked very, very far in advance… That meant we were able to get a pretty good rate in a superb place: Kasteel Schaloen. We did not sleep in the castle, but in one of the little apartments facing it. A sublime setting to wake up to!
Where to eat?
Our main piece of advice comes down to one word: book. We had not thought of it, and on a December evening in Valkenburg, everything is fully booked. We ended up in an Italian restaurant, which was not exactly the Dutch experience we had hoped for.
Two main streets concentrate most of the restaurants, so there is plenty to choose from. Tip: pick one located along the parade route, and you can enjoy it from the warmth of your table as it passes by.
For breakfast, we had it at our accommodation, with a slice of apple pie as a bonus — a good way to start the day.
Getting to Valkenburg and getting around
I recommend going by car, because it is the simplest way to get there. There is indeed a train station in town, but from Paris, you need to make at least 2 connections… That can end up being a bit long, especially for a weekend!
On the other hand, once in town, you do not need a car to discover the Valkenburg Christmas markets; everything can be done on foot. To park, there are several parking lots, very well signposted. Note that you can pay for parking online. No need to stand in long lines at the parking meter (where our bank card did not work anyway!).
I also found day trips departing from Paris. It will definitely be short, but I think it is a good option if you are traveling with people who do not walk much or if you have limited time on site.
Practical information
We discovered the Valkenburg Christmas markets during a weekend in December, and we have updated this article with information for the current edition. Since the program changes every year (parade dates, activities, prices), we recommend checking the latest details on the official Valkenburg Christmas Village website before you go, and booking your cave time slots online.
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We had a wonderful, magical weekend in Valkenburg. A charming little town, festive lights, the smell of mulled wine, and above all, this maze of underground galleries that you won’t find anywhere else. If you’re looking for traditional crafts, Alsace will offer you more: here, it’s the setting that makes the experience.
The market runs from November 13, 2026, to January 3, 2027. Come on a weekday, and book your cave time slots just as you would your restaurant. Want to keep the Christmas magic going? We also take you to the Christmas markets in Alsace.
FAQ – Valkenburg Christmas Markets
What are the dates for the Valkenburg Christmas markets in 2026?
Christmas Town Valkenburg runs from November 13, 2026, to January 3, 2027. It is one of the longest-running Christmas markets in Europe, which means you can visit well before the December crowds. We visited in December, but in hindsight, mid-November or early December on a weekday offers the best balance between atmosphere and peace and quiet.
What are the opening hours of the Valkenburg Christmas markets?
Entry to the two caves is available in reserved time slots, so you need to choose your time when booking rather than simply showing up. The outdoor markets, including Santa’s Village and the stalls in the town center, can be visited freely. Exact opening hours are published each fall on the official website.
How much does it cost to enter the Valkenburg caves?
Each cave has its own ticket. 2026 prices have been available on the official ticketing website since August. Our advice: book online in advance, as the most popular time slots, especially late afternoon and December weekends, sell out quickly.
How much time should you plan for Valkenburg Christmas Town?
Allow a full day to visit both caves, MergelRijk and Santa’s Village without rushing. If you also want to see the parade, the sand sculptures and some of the town itself, plan for a weekend. That’s what we did, and it was not too much.
What is the most beautiful Christmas market in the Netherlands?
We haven’t visited them all, but Valkenburg is undoubtedly the most unusual Christmas market in the Netherlands, and probably one of the most unique in Europe: no other market takes place in underground galleries on this scale. And it’s not just our opinion: in 2025, it was named the best Christmas market in the Netherlands, its parade was voted the best in Europe, and it ranked 7th in the competition for Europe’s best Christmas market.