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The Hague in winter is something truly special. The royal city transforms into a glittering wonderland of light festivals, Christmas markets, ice sculptures, and cozy hotspots that are worth braving the cold for. Whether you’re a local rediscovering your own city or a visitor planning a winter escape, these 13 tips will help you make the most of it.
13 “Have a Royal Winter” Tips in The Hague
I’ve split these tips into two handy categories: pure winter experiences tied to the season, and year-round favourites that shine especially bright when it’s cold outside.
Winter Tips
1. The Royal Christmas Fair
The Royal Christmas Fair at Lange Voorhout is hands down the most atmospheric Christmas market in the Netherlands — and quite possibly one of the most magical in all of Europe. Dozens of beautifully decorated stalls offer everything from artisan gifts to indulgent street food: think warm poffertjes, steaming mugs of glühwein, and enough festive snacks to lose track of time entirely. Live performances fill the air with Christmas carols, and the chance to snap a photo with a jolly Santa Claus is always a crowd-pleaser. If you get chilly, warm yourself at one of the fire pits scattered around the square. This annual event typically runs throughout December — check the official website each year for exact dates.
Info: The Royal Christmas Fair
2. The Hague Highlights
Free, spectacular, and genuinely unmissable — The Hague Highlights is a winter light festival that turns the city centre into an open-air gallery of video projections and luminous installations. What started as a one-off event for the 2018 theme year “Party at the Sea” turned out to be such a hit that the municipality made it an annual tradition. And honestly, it’s easy to see why.
The projections on the Ridderzaal bring Dutch history to life with sweeping visuals and rich soundscapes. Over at the Mauritshuis, you can see iconic masterpieces like Vermeer’s ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ projected dramatically across the building’s façade — it’s surprisingly moving to see great art displayed at that scale. Some years even include a free illuminated carriage ride through the city centre, which feels wonderfully old-fashioned and festive.
The Hague Highlights typically takes place every December on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from 6 pm to 10 pm. The Hague truly is at its best after dark!
Info: ThisisTheHague/Denhaag.com
3. Madurodam Illuminated
Madurodam — the Netherlands in miniature — is already a delightful outing any time of year, but during the winter holidays it becomes something extra special. The entire park is dressed up in tens of thousands of twinkling lights, creating a fairytale atmosphere that enchants kids and adults alike. Beyond the gorgeous illuminations, there’s a winter treasure hunt for little ones and a cosy winter BBQ for the whole family. If you haven’t been in a while (or ever!), the Christmas holiday period is the perfect time to visit.
Info: Madurodam
4. Cool Event Scheveningen: Ice Sculptures & Skating
Every winter, from December through January, Scheveningen pulls off an impressive transformation into a full-blown ice paradise. At the heart of it all is the covered ice rink on the Kurhausplein, where you can glide around to your heart’s content — bring your own skates or rent a pair on-site. During our visit, we were even treated to a graceful demonstration by a professional figure skater. Pure magic.
A short walk towards the Pier, you’ll find the ice sculpture exhibition in a cooled white tent. The theme changes every year — keeping it fresh and surprising — and the level of artistry involved is genuinely astonishing. Watching an artist coax a swan or a dragon from a block of ice is one of those experiences that stays with you. Round off the day with a spin on the nearby boulevard roller coaster if you’re feeling adventurous.
Info: Cool Event Scheveningen
Winter & Year-Round Tips
5. The Student Hotel The Hague
With so many hotels in The Hague, it can be hard to choose — but The Student Hotel is my top pick for something a little different. The design is young, hip, and refreshingly modern, with rooms inspired by student digs (though considerably more stylish). It manages to feel both playful and sophisticated, which is quite a trick.
Their bar and restaurant, The Commons, is worth a visit even if you’re not staying there. The cocktail menu is inventive, the food is genuinely good, and the morning breakfast buffet is the kind of lavish spread that makes you want to linger over your coffee. If you want to stay somewhere with personality, The Student Hotel delivers.
Info: The Student hotel The Hague
6. Rent a Bike
There’s no better way to explore The Hague than on two wheels. Several rental spots around the city offer bikes, including The Student Hotel itself. Grab a tourist map, pick up a bike, and let yourself get pleasantly lost — you’ll stumble upon parks, palaces, and hidden neighbourhoods that you’d never find on a tour bus.
Info: The Student hotel The Hague
7. “Cycle and the City” Guided Bike Tour
If you’d rather have a local show you around, “Cycle and the City” is an absolute gem. The name is a cheeky nod to “Sex and the City”, and the gold-painted bicycles — decorated with festive fairy lights — are impossible to miss after dark. The golden colour is a knowing wink to The Hague’s iconic Golden Carriage. Your guides are born-and-bred Hagenaars who know every secret corner of the city, and with their Golden Key, they can open doors to buildings that are normally off-limits to visitors. The tour runs around 4.5 hours and includes local snacks and drinks along the way. An unforgettable evening.
Info: Cycle and The City
8. Stan & Co Restaurant
⚠️ Note: Stan & Co has permanently closed. This was once a beloved hotspot in The Hague with an industrial-chic interior that felt robust, hip, and refreshingly modern. We had a wonderful lunch there, enjoying colorful snacks served on wooden boards showcasing their delicious Asian fusion cuisine. The carrot cake was particularly memorable! While you can no longer visit this gem, it remains a cherished memory of discovering great food in unexpected places. If you’re looking for a similar vibe in The Hague, I’d recommend exploring other contemporary restaurants that celebrate bold flavors and creative plating.
Have a favorite new restaurant in The Hague to recommend? Share your culinary discoveries with me!
9. Electric Scooter Tour Through The Hague & Scheveningen
Remember kick scooters from your childhood? Now imagine that, but electric — and about ten times more fun. Electric scooter tours are a brilliantly active way to see the city without breaking a sweat. The wide tyres glide smoothly over cobblestones and safely clear tram rails, the ride is almost silent so you can actually chat with your fellow riders, and the whole thing feels effortlessly cool. Your guide pauses at key spots throughout The Hague and Scheveningen to share stories and local knowledge. You can also combine the scooter tour with other activities, such as climbing the Hague Tower. Note: this tour requires a minimum of five participants, so it’s a great option for a group outing. Contact Go The Hague to check availability and book.
Info: Ga The Hague
10. Climb the Hague Tower
The Haagse Toren is one of the oldest and most iconic structures in The Hague, and you can only visit it on a guided tour — which honestly makes it feel even more special. Your guide leads you past the historic clocks, the mechanical timepiece, and the playing drum, weaving in fascinating stories about the tower’s history along the way. The highlight, quite literally, is the panoramic view over The Hague from the top — especially dramatic on a crisp winter evening. Tours last about an hour, and tickets can be booked online in advance.
Info: Ga The Hague / The Hague Tower
11. The Hudson Restaurant / Danzig Dance Pub
The Hudson restaurant is housed within the iconic Danzig building, and it’s the kind of spot that works beautifully at any hour. Pop in for a long lunch, pre-dinner drinks, or a proper dinner — the menu is all about American classics done really well. Think comfort food elevated just enough to feel like a treat. After 10 pm, the space transforms into the legendary Danzig dance café, which was voted the most popular dance café in the Netherlands in 2017. Dinner and dancing in one night? Yes please.
Info: Hudson restaurant / Danzig dance pub
12. Hague Harry & a City Guide Tour
Hague Harry (Haagse Harry) is a beloved cartoon character created by Marnix Rueb — a rough-around-the-edges, unemployed Hagenaar who speaks in pure Hague dialect and supports ADO Den Haag with fiery passion. He became a genuine icon of the city. After Rueb’s passing, a statue of Harry was erected on the Grote Markt, with a portion of the creator’s ashes inside. It’s a touching tribute and a fascinating piece of local culture. Don’t leave The Hague without stopping for a photo with him.
Pair your Harry visit with a proper city guide tour of the historic centre and palace gardens. Our guide was full of funny, surprising anecdotes that brought the city to life in a way no guidebook quite manages. Info: city guides available via ThisisTheHague / Denhaag.com.
13. The Tourist Tram
The historic Tourist Tram is a wonderfully nostalgic way to take in The Hague and Scheveningen. A full loop takes around 55 minutes, but with a hop-on hop-off ticket you can ride all day and stop wherever catches your eye. The on-board audio tour narrates the city’s history and highlights as you go — and yes, there’s even a version in the Hague dialect, which is a delightful touch. It’s one of those experiences that feels both touristy and genuinely charming at the same time.
Info: Tourist Tram
A huge thank you to Violette Kout of ThisisTheHague for the invitation to the two-day “Have a Royal Winter” press tour in The Hague and Scheveningen. It was a genuine joy to rediscover my own city through fresh eyes. Heartfelt thanks also go to all the wonderful partners who showed us such warm hospitality: The Student Hotel The Hague, Barbara and Marlies from Haagse Schatten, The Royal Christmas Fair, Madurodam, Cycle and the City, Go The Hague, The Hague Tower, Hudson Restaurant, the city guide, and Tourist Tram.
Hungry for more tips about The Hague? Browse all my other Hague articles by clicking on The Hague.
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