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Summer Palace: a summer full of activities

Jul 8, 2024
Children dressed as princes and princesses in front of the gate at the stables square

Paleis Het Loo: a Summer Palace

Apeldoorn, July 8, 2024 |  The Olympic Games may take place in Paris, but you can play your own games in the palace garden at Paleis Het Loo. For visitors with children, Paleis Het Loo hosts various activities and outdoor games during the summer holidays.

Summer program

From Saturday, July 6 to Sunday, September 1, Paleis Het Loo is a summer palace. In summer, the garden is one large playground and there are extra activities. The activities are all about flowers, from balance flowers to twister beds and cactus ring throwing. This year there will also be hobbyhorses on the stables square, inspired by the horses that were actually stabled here. One of those horses is called Baby, named after Princess Wilhelmina's pony. The XL hopscotch path leads to the palace and gardens. Here you will find all kinds of outdoor games. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, the Princes and Princesses Days provide additional shows and activities. On the weekends, summer concerts are performed.

For dragons, princesses and everything in between: the Princes and Princesses Days

The Princes and Princesses Days are back at Paleis Het Loo this summer. From July 16 to August 15, it is a party in the palace gardens every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The grass court in the palace garden is the heart of summer at Paleis Het Loo. Just like in the 17th century, this is the place for games and entertainment. Two shows alternate on a stage. With plenty of fun activities on the grass and relaxation at the cosy chill meadow.

Summer concerts by NJON and Carribean Delight Drumband
Two musical acts will perform during four summer weekends from July 20 to August 11. The National Youth Orchestra of the Netherlands and the Caribbean Delight drum band bring great tunes to Paleis Het Loo.

Horsepower on the stables square
During the weekend of August 31 and September 1, the royal stable department visits Paleis Het Loo. The whole weekend is all about horsepower. With the blacksmith, horses and carriages of the king. You can see the horses in action, from the stables square over the stables avenue to the bassecour and back again! With live explanation from a reporter.

A child helped by two children balances on the balance flower
Balancing flower
People playing string instruments in the palace gardens during the summer concerts
Summer concerts

Exhibition Bloom is still in bloom until September 1!

Flowers have provided color, scent and meaning at Paleis Het Loo for centuries. Stadtholder William III and Princess Mary II were the first residents at the end of the 17th century. Mary in particular enjoyed studying, admiring and using flowers. It was this English princess who made flowers so popular in the Netherlands.

Bloom is about 17th century still lifes and Mary's influence on the use of flowers. Contemporary artists, designers and the palace garden service bring history to life. They admire the historical works, but also ask critical questions. How did those flowers get here? Who paid the price for the beauty and wealth? And what is the future of the flower? There is a story behind every flower and every work of art.

A painting of a flower bouquet by Johannes Christoph Lotyn, ca. 1691-'94
Johannes Christoph Lotyn, ca. 1691-’94, oil on canvas Paleis Het Loo Collection