When is Gouda by Candlelight 2026, and how do I go from Amsterdam?
Gouda bij Kaarslicht takes place on Friday, December 11, 2026. In the evening about 1,500 candles burn behind the windows of the historic Town Hall, with thousands more in the windows of the center, and the highlight is the lighting of the Christmas tree that Gouda receives every year from its Norwegian sister town, Kongsberg, a tradition since 1956. Gouda is about 62 km from Amsterdam, 1 h 03 by car on a clear road; arrive before dark, around 16:00, to find your spot.
Last updated:
With a driver by the hour: prices per vehicle
| Option | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class, Gouda evening from Amsterdam | €65 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · E-Class, EQE, EQE SUV, BMW i5, BMW 5 Series · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
| Van Class, Gouda evening from Amsterdam | €80 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · V-Class, EQV · up to 7 passengers, 7 bags |
| First Class, Gouda evening from Amsterdam | €100 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · S-Class, EQS, EQS SUV, BMW i7 · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
By the hour: minimum 2 hours, 40 km included per hour, and the day starts and ends in the same city. The driver waits between stops. Prices are per car, not per person, with 9% Dutch VAT included, and the same day and night. During ADE week (pickups October 20 to 26, 2026) fixed ADE-week prices apply, shown before you book; promo codes cannot be used that week. Booked less than 12 hours before pickup: +10%. At an airport or an intercity station the first 60 minutes of waiting are free, elsewhere 15 minutes; after that waiting is charged per minute at the class's hourly rate (Business €65 an hour). Free cancellation up to 1 hour before pickup.
An evening from Amsterdam
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 15:00 | Pickup in Amsterdam |
| About 16:00 | Gouda: cheese shops and the market square |
| 16:27 | Sunset |
| Evening | The candlelit square and the tree lighting |
| 20:30 | Drive back |
Six hours with a driver: €390 in Business Class, €480 in Van Class.
A Friday of markets
Haarlem's Christmas market opens the same morning, at 10:30. Haarlem in the day and Gouda in the evening make a day of about 9 hours: €585 in Business Class, €720 in Van Class.
Related questions
Is it crowded?
Yes, around the market square in the evening; hold children's hands.
Are the candles real?
The Town Hall candles are; the tree itself is lit with LED lights.
Can I buy Gouda cheese there?
Yes, the shops around the market square sell it.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Gouda by Candlelight (checked October 21, 2026)
- Gouda by Candlelight (checked October 20, 2026)
- NOAA Solar Calculator, sunset times in Amsterdam (local time) (checked October 8, 2026)
Book it, or ask dispatch first
Book online in a few minutes (no account, no app), or send your flight number and address on WhatsApp and dispatch replies in English, 24 hours a day.