Deventer Light Festival

Deventer is one of the Hanseatic towns on the IJssel river, in the province of Overijssel, and every winter its historic centre is the setting for a light route that draws visitors in the weeks around Christmas. The Deventer Lichtjesroute, as it is known locally, turns the medieval streets into a walking trail of light art, illuminated trees and projections onto buildings. The exact dates, route and installations change from year to year, so it is wise to check the municipality of Deventer's website before you plan a visit, but the format is consistent: a free route that can be followed on foot at your own pace.

The setting is what makes it special. Deventer has one of the best preserved medieval centres in the country, with narrow lanes, gabled houses, old churches and a lively market square, the Brink, with the Waag, the weighing house, at its centre. The city was a major member of the Hanseatic League and a centre of learning in the later Middle Ages, and its buildings show its past prosperity. Light installations are placed along a route through streets such as the Brink, the Grote Kerkhof around the Lebuïnuskerk and the Broederenstraat, and they highlight the architecture in a new way, picking out details of the facades and towers that are easy to miss by day.

The festival is part of a larger winter season in Deventer. The city is well known for its Dickens Festival, held in December, when hundreds of people dress in Victorian costume and the streets are filled with characters from the novels of Charles Dickens, and for its Christmas market. The light route complements these events by adding a modern, artistic dimension, and the whole centre has a festive, atmospheric feel in the dark evenings. It is suitable for all ages, and families with children will find it easy to follow, though crowds can be dense on weekends.

Practical tips make it more enjoyable. Dress warmly, since the walk can take an hour or more in cold weather, wear comfortable shoes for the cobbles and keep your hands free for photos. The route is generally pedestrian-friendly and well lit, but the popular times are in the evening, so consider going on a weekday or early in the season to avoid crowds. Deventer's cafes and restaurants are a good place to warm up between stops.

Other sights in the city include the Bijzondere Collectie, the special collections library, the city walls and the IJssel promenade, the Hanzehof, a theatre in nearby Zutphen, and St. Agatha's Monastery. The festival suits families, couples, photographers and anyone who loves Christmas lights.