Gouda by Candlelight 2024

On December 13, 2024 it was already the 69th edition of Gouda by Candlelight.The program started Friday, December 13, 2024 already at 14.30 with the opening concert. At the same time, programming began at various indoor and street locations in downtown Gouda and the Market Square.

The highlight of the day was the ceremony at the tree, held between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM. The public lighting was turned off, and the historic town hall, houses, and shops surrounding the market square were illuminated by thousands of Gouda candles.

Want to rewatch the ceremony? Watch the TV West recording here.

In addition, there was plenty to experience at the other 23 locations from 2:00 PM until midnight. The lovely television recording of Gouwestad TV gives a perfect view on downtown Gouda during Gouda by Candlelight.

Below are some photos taken by photographers for us. If you would like to use a photo, please contact us.

You still did not see enough of Gouda by Candlelight? Here you can find the television registrations of 2023 and 2022.

Photo taken from the St. John's Tower, showing the atmospheric lighting of the tree's lights, while the electric lights are turned off as much as possible and candles burn in the windows of the town hall and surrounding buildings.

📸 Astrid den Haan – Tree ceremony 2024

Shipping label on a slice of the tree, held by the Mayor, children's Mayor and Piet Streng

📸 Astrid den Haan

The Christmas tree 2024

Below a carroussel of the eventures of this year’s tree. In mid-November, it was felled in the forests around Kongsberg. It was transported to Rotterdam by regular freighter between Norway and the Netherlands. It was then transported to the Markt on December 6th, via the Nederhof grounds in Gouda.

At noon, the tree was enthusiastically welcomed at the Kleiwegbrug by the Celebration band of Gouda’s Harmonie de Pionier, the children’s college, and visitors to Gouda’s city center. The tree then arrived at the Markt at 12:15 pm.

The tree was then unpacked. Piet Streng ceremonially presented the shipping label to the mayor and the children’s mayor.

Piet Streng is responsible for the logistics of Gouda bij Kaarslicht. Throughout his career at the municipality of Gouda and Cyclus, he has always been responsible for De Boom.

This afternoon became even more special for Piet than it always is, as the mayor honored all his volunteer work (including ONA, the Old Cemetery, Bizon, May 4 and 5) with honorary citizenship of Gouda.

But quickly Piet had to get back to business as usual; the tree was fitted with a new tree topper. The previous tree topper hadn’t survived the January storm. After the tree topper was tightly connected, the tree was placed in its proper place on the Markt square.

The decorating began on Monday, December 9th. It started off a bit stormy, but by Wednesday afternoon he was all set for the important moment during Gouda by Candlelight.

And how beautiful it is again! It can be admired until January 7, 2025.

Opening concert Gouwe Bigband

Also this year Gouda by Candlelight opened with a free opening concert of the Gouwe Bigband at the Goudse Schouwburg (Theatre of Gouda).

Led by Marijn Wigman, they played a diverse repertoire, from soul and jazz to Latin, Christmas songs, and new pop hits themed around film music. Singer Stefanie Kenters once again sang brilliantly, and what a beautiful dress she had chosen for this performance!

Below is a carousel with photos by Jan van den Berg and Sara Oosterlinck.

📸 Jan van den Berg

Tree ceremony

Bigband Concordia played from speelde van 6:20 PM – tot 6:45 PM from the scaffold of the city hall. This maked the wait for the eagerly awaiting visitors very pleasant.

At 7:00 PM, Gouda’s virtual Candlelight Ceremony at the Tree began, as is tradition. Thousands of people gathered in the market square to witness it live. The buildings surrounding the market square were illuminated by thousands of candles, and the public lighting was turned off.

The ceremony began with the recitation of “It’s Only 1 Tree” by city poet Chris Bellekom. The candles in the last window were lit by Mayor Tim Kurzbach of Solingen in memory of the attack on August 24th.

New this year was a dance performance of Emma. When she was finished, Pieter Verhoeve held his yearly speach.

The ceremony was musically accompanied by ZA-EL Gospel met Elvis E, Leona Philippo en the childrens’ chior Ars Musica.

Also new was the performance of the junior city poet Brecht Boekraad. She recited her poem “Anders zijn wij” (“Different from us”)

The new Mayor Line Spitten of Kongsberg attended was for the first time Gouda by Candlelight and after her speech she was allowed to press the button together with Pieter Verhoeve and children’s mayor Bavly Shenouda, after which the lights in the tree were turned on.

Below a carrousel with photos by Astrid den Haan, Jan van den Berg, Laila Bakker, Rob Radix and Aard-Jan Seppenwoold.

📸 Astrid den Haan

📸 Astrid den Haan

It was also pleasant in other places in the city center.

For years, Gouda by Candlelight has been more than just a ceremony at the tree. At no fewer than 28 locations, 150 different performances, and a total of around 1,000 performers, there was plenty to do in Gouda’s city center from 2:00 PM until the wee hours. New this year was Christmas on Keizerstraat, and the Gouwekerk returned.

Below impressions of several performances and locations during Gouda by Candlelight 2024.

The photos in the carroussel are made by Astrid den Haan, Jan van den Berg, Kim Reijers, Laila Bakker, Sara Oosterlinck and Rob Radix.

Foto Contest 2024

Following last year’s success, we also organized the Gouda by Candlelight photo contest this year.

Again, we’ve received many photos. You can vote for the 10 best entries on our Facebook page.

In the carousel below, you can see them all. De contestants are Emmy van Vliet, Marcel Zenden, Saskia Langezaal, Petra Alblas, Selma Wiegman, Hjarald Agnes, Marla Vink, Sam van der Zanden, Mette Schouten and Patricia Vos.