Sinterklaas arrives by boat in the historic North Brabant fortified town of Grave on Saturday for the national arrival ceremony, De Telegraaf reported.
The event brings thousands of visitors to the Maaskade, where the steam boat carrying the saint and his companions is scheduled to dock at noon. Weather forecasters expect bright autumn skies with little wind and temperatures hovering around 7 degrees Celsius at midday.
Organizers and municipal leaders chose Grave, a municipality in the Land van Cuijk with just over 8,000 residents, because its centuries-old architecture provides a natural backdrop for the broadcasted celebration, TVgids.nl noted. Marieke Moorman received notice of the choice via message in a bottle.
„Grave is een mooi, historisch stadje. Het is een natuurlijk decor voor een sinterklaasintocht. En het ligt aan het water, ook niet onbelangrijk,” Moorman said, according to TVgids.nl.
This marks the first time the national entry takes place in the province of North Brabant since the year 2000, when Woudrichem hosted the event, Omroep Brabant reported. Presenter Merel Westrik will anchor the studio coverage, while Jeroen Kramer and Stephanie van Eer report live from the town.
Inspecting the Dikes and Water Levels
Preparation for the large crowds required structural checks following a notably dry summer that left water levels exceptionally low and raised concerns about soil stability along riverbanks, Omroep Brabant reported.
Water board officials and state waterway managers walked the Maaskade with special measuring rods to inspect the quayside for cracks. Waterschap Aa en Maas dijkgraaf Mario Jacobs inspected the area where the crowds will gather.
„Er staan hier dan duizenden kinderen op de kade, dus het moet natuurlijk wel veilig zijn,” Jacobs told Omroep Brabant, adding that the local dikes remained in safe condition.
Questions arose in the national parliament regarding whether the low water levels on the Maas would prevent the steam boat from reaching the quay. Rijkswaterstaat official Bart Faber dismissed those concerns, explaining that a system of locks and weirs functions like large bathtubs to retain necessary navigation depths.
„De Sint kan zeker aanmeren, daar zit ik niet over in,” Faber told Omroep Brabant.
Safety Warnings and Broadcast Details
While the quays in Grave are prepared, local authorities issued distinct safety warnings for surrounding vantage points. The municipality of Heumen warned visitors against watching the spectacle from the opposite riverbank at Nederasselt, citing safety hazards in the area, StadIndex reported.
Following the arrival on the Maaskade and the traditional welcoming songs, the procession will wind through the historic center toward the town’s central square.
The entire national entry broadcasts live on NPO 3 on Saturday, November 14, 2026, starting at 12:00 PM.
