Sinterklaas parade 2026 scheduled for Grave, Noord-Brabant

The nationwide Sinterklaas parade will be held this year in Grave, in the Land van Cuijk municipality, according to the NTR. The festivities are scheduled for Saturday, November 14. Last year, Sinterklaas arrived on Texel.

Mayor Marieke Moorman described it as “a great honor” to host Sinterklaas and his helpers. “We will give them a warm welcome and showcase the beauty of Grave.” The last Sinterklaas arrival in a Noord-Brabant municipality was 26 years ago, in Woudrichem; before that, it was held in Breda in 1976.

Ahead of the Sinterklaas arrival, the Sinterklaasjournaal will begin airing on Monday, November 9. This year, Merel Westrik is hosting the Sinterklaasjournaal and the nationwide Sinterklaas arrival, succeeding Dieuwertje Blok, who had presented the show for many years. Westrik initially filled in during Blok’s illness, and following Blok’s passing in March 2025, she assumed the role permanently. Reporters Stephanie van Eer and Jeroen Kramer will provide coverage.

In a Sinterklaasjournaal teaser, someone used the mayoral chain of the Land van Cuijk municipality to pull a bottle from the Meuse River, a hint that many viewers interpreted as pointing to Grave as this year’s nationwide Sinterklaas arrival location. The bottle and its letter referred to previous arrivals, though the official meaning was initially kept under wraps.

The steamboat is set to arrive at the Loswal along the Maaskade in Grave, which locals say is the most practical and picturesque spot for the event.

Starting Monday, November 9, the Sinterklaasjournaal will be shown daily at 6 p.m. on NPO Zapp (NPO 3). The live Sinterklaas arrival in Grave will air on Saturday, November 14, from noon.