Spending Christmas 2021 in Breda?

Since 2000 Stichting Kerststal Princenhage has built a life sized Nativity Scene every Christmas in the centre of Princenhage – a village in the city of Breda.

Nativity Scene and Christmas art contest in Princenhage, Breda

Nativity Scene in Princenhage at night
Nativity Scene in Princenhage, Breda.

The Nativity Scene is displayed in the last weeks of December from 9h till 21h. It consists of life sized wooden sculptures of Baby Jezus in a manger, Mother Maria, Father Jozeph, two shepherds, and the three Wise Men. Until 2019 sheeps and donkeys have accompanied the Holy Family daily from 9h till 17h. Due to Covid-regulations, last year and this year the sheeps and donkeys would not be present.

In 2013 the foundation expanded their activities and started an annual Christmas art contest called the ‘KerstCreatieRoute’. Residents and businesses in Princenhage display an artwork related to Christmas behind a window or in a garden. Every artwork provides a clue to solve a (Dutch) Christmas word puzzle.
I joined the foundation in 2016. As a volunteer I am helping out with the public relations, graphic and web design, and photographing. Last year I participated in the KerstCreatieRoute as an artist as well.

wooden tree with a clue
Detail of a Christmas creation showing the clue to solve the word puzzle.
poster with call to participate
Are you creative and do you live in Princenhage? Sign up!

Do you live in Princenhage (post code 4813)?

And would you like to participate this year as an artist in the KerstCreatieRoute? You can sign up at the website of Kerststal Princenhage (sign up form is in Dutch).

Are you looking for an outdoor event at Christmas 2021 in Breda?

This year the KerstCreatieRoute takes place in Princenhage from Saturday December 18th, 2021 till January 7th, 2022. It offers you a scavenger hunt with a leisurely stroll through the streets of Princenhage and brings you along unique works of art. At the Nativity Scene – which will be build on December 18th in the village centre, Haagsemarkt – a free map with all participating addresses will be available.

Building the Nativity Scene
Volunteers building the Nativity Scene in 2016.
Nativity Scene - finished
Nativity Scene in 2016 – almost finished.
Arrival of the statues
The arrival of the wooden sculptures.
children carrying the manger with baby jesus
The arrival of baby Jesus in a manger – opening in 2016.
sculpture of a christmas angel
Presenting a new angel – opening in 2018.
musicans playing Christmas songs
Opening of the Nativity Scene 2018.
Wooden sculptures of the 3 kings
Three kings of the Nativity Scene in Princenhage.
Mother Maria and baby Jesus
Mother Maria of the Nativity Scene in Princenhage.
man and two donkeys
Volunteer feeding the donkeys in 2019.