How to celebrate Halloween in the Netherlands this year

Let the countdown to Halloween begin! October is here, and Christmas is around the corner, but before you dig those festive jumpers out of the cupboard, there is one very exciting and very scary day to celebrate - and we’re here to help you do just that!

Halloween events cancelled

The coronavirus pandemic has meant that, sadly, a number of events across the country have been cancelled or postponed. Favourites such as theme park Walibi’s Spooky Days and Fright Nights was recently cancelled, and halloween-themed club nights such as Amsterdam Halloween sadly can’t go ahead as usual.

But, don’t fret! Don’t let the pandemic stop you from celebrating the year’s spookiest holiday.

Halloween in the Netherlands

Halloween 2020 may fall outside of school holidays, but it does fall on a Saturday, so get ready to go wild everyone. Not sure where to start? We’re here to help with our list of the best events taking place across the Netherlands this Halloween. Costumes at the ready everyone - it’s time to get spooky!

Halloween at Center Parcs

Looking for a family-friendly get-away this Halloween? Then Center Parcs might be the answer! Parks across the Netherlands host a variety of corona-proof vents to keep you and the little ones entertained - including workshops to carve pumpkins and funky Halloween discos.

Halloween Days and Nights at Toverland 

Similarly to Walibi, Toverland, a theme park near Eindhoven, is hosting its own Halloween Days and Nights. For every weekend between October 9 and November 8, the theme park transforms into a Halloween wonderland, with days filled with thrilling rides, pumpkins, and smiles, and, from 6 pm to 11 pm, nights of big scares and haunted houses. There’s something for everyone at Toverland this Halloween.

Halloween-Climbing at Fun Forest 

If you’re on the hunt for a quirkier and more active way to celebrate Halloween this year, why not try night-climbing? Fun Forest parks in Almere, Rotterdam, Venlo, and Amsterdam are hosting night- and Halloween-climbing events on October 24, 30, and 31, for those who dare. The difference between night-climbing and Halloween-climbing? At the Halloween-climbing events, the forest will be filled with horrifying monsters and creepy decorations.

At-home Halloween

You can, of course, celebrate this supernatural holiday from the comfort of your home. Why not carve some pumpkins as a family? Or, if you've got the nerves for it, partake in a hair-raising horror movie marathon - or a less nightmare-inducing Halloween movie marathon! Streaming sites Netflix and Disney+ have a number of delights to choose from, and if you're working to learn Dutch, why not turn on the subtitles and learn while you watch. 

Are you someone that likes to take every holiday as an opportunity to cook and eat as much food as possible? Why not make some Halloween-themed treats to enjoy with your housemates or family? Check out these creepy-but-cute pepper mummies. 

Have a bone-chilling Halloween!

Wherever you are, whatever you do, make sure you and your family have a fantastically bone-chilling Halloween - there definitely is something for everyone, so don your most impressive costume and celebrate in style. 

What are your plans for this Halloween? Let us know in the comments below!

EDIT: Following controversy caused by the high number of visitors at Toverland's Scary Nights, the theme park has decided to cancel the event.