About Gouda by Candlelight
Every year in December, the cultural event “Gouda by Candlelight” is held in the city of Gouda, featuring various Christmas-themed activities surrounding the festive lighting of the Christmas tree. This year, the event will be held on December 13th.
For many years, the event was organized by the municipality of Gouda. Due in part to the event’s growth and stricter safety measures, the Gouda by Candlelight Foundation was established in 2009. This foundation is responsible for the organization and programming of the event. It is made up of a group of enthusiastic volunteers.
On the day itself, the organization is supplemented by volunteers who assist with the logistics of the event, such as hostesses, traffic controllers, and so on.
History and traditions
Candlelight evening, with candles behind the windows of the town hall, began in 1958 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Gouda-Apollo Stearine Candle Factory. Cargill, the successor to Gouda-Apollo, now occupies the same spot where candles once rolled off the assembly line. Part of Gouda-Apollo was acquired by Bolsius/Gouda Candles in the past. And every year, Gouda candles still adorn the windows of the town hall.
Kongsberg, the Norwegian sister city, has been donating the large Christmas tree in the Market Square since 1956. In November, the Gouda Christmas tree is cut down in the woods around Kongsberg. The tree is shipped to the Netherlands and then transported on a low-loader from the port of Rotterdam to Gouda. A few days before Gouda by Candlelight, the tree is placed in the Market Square and adorned with Christmas lights and decorations. Curious about the further history of Gouda by Candlelight?