Brunssum: Foggy Fields Winter Market November 2026

Step into a festive wonderland at the biggest Tri-Border holiday event of the season!

Foggy Fields Winter Market!

Friday 13th to Sunday 15th November 2025
Geilenkirchen NATO Airbase

Enjoy:

• Unique vendors from across Europe
• Delicious food & seasonal treats
• Live performances from talented local musicians, adding to the holiday cheer
• Special appearances by Santa in Santa’s Snapshot and the exciting Kids' Corner.

This event is open to all with base access — so gather your family and friends for a weekend full of shopping, music, food, and festive fun.

Find all updates at the Foggy Fields Facebook page: www.facebook.com/FoggyFields/ 

Mark your calendars, grab a friend, and don’t miss the magic of the Foggy Fields Winter Market!

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

Brunssum: Sinterklaas arrivals 2026

The countdown has begun! On November 15th from 2-4pm, we'll welcome Sinterklaas back to Sittard!

This includes a parade through the city with fun performances along the way! They'll end at Kloosterplein, where kids can give Sinterklaas their wish lists or simply shake his hand! Kloosterplein will be a lively hub full of entertainment and treats.

Sinterklaas will be heading to the following places near you:

• Sittard - Saturday 14th November
• Maastricht - Saturday 14th November
• Venlo - Sunday 15th November
• Blerick - Sunday 15th November
• Valkenburg - Sunday 16th November
• Kerkrade - Saturday 21st November

Please click here for more information.

Sinterklaas is a kind bishop; he wears red robes and a tall, pointed mitre on his head. He travels with his servant called Zwarte Piet (Black Peter or Sooty Peter). Sinterklaas travels by ship from Spain to the Netherlands each year. With him he brings his white horse and a huge sack full of gifts for the children. People flock to greet Sinterklaas as he arrives and there is a parade through the streets.

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

Brunssum: What's On in November

Another month, and there is plenty going on near Brunssum! Below is a selection of concerts, festivals, and restaurant specials to enjoy this month, before the holidays truly begin...

Brunssum: Pub Quiz

Back by popular demand - our next pub quiz will be on Tuesday 17th November!

The Brit Bar will be open from 5pm, with the quiz starting at 6pm. Once again, the HIVE Officer will go from the person answering your questions, to the one asking them, alongside a special guest, the Padre. Teams are up to 6 people -  it's not about winning, just proving your friends wrong.

Families are welcome, but there will be no children's quiz on this occasion. 

The rules are simple: no cheating, no crying, and no fighting over geography.

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

Brunssum: BloteVoten Park Halloween Spooky and Scary walks 2026

Put on your best Halloween outfit and get spooked during this Halloween walk with this year's unique theme of 'Infected Forest'. There's a kids and family friendly walk, and a scarier walk for adults/13+.

Halloween tour 'Ravenspook Circus' (Kids/Family)

Sunday, November 1, 2026 , 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM

The Barefoot Park Forest is in the Halloween spirit. Ravenspook Circus is in town, and something strange is going on... During your walk (with shoes on!), you'll encounter various (child-friendly) creepy creatures. Do you dare to have your picture taken with your favorite creepy creature?

Want something a little scarier? There's a "wrong turn" to a more challenging part of the forest. Only take it if you're really brave! Tip: If you have small children, do the trail during daylight, and for the truly daring, reserve a time slot later in the afternoon when it starts to get dark.

Click here to book your Family friendly spooky walk tickets.

Halloween tour 'The Vanished Carnival of Ravenspook' (13+/Adult)

Saturday, October 31, 2026 , 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM

For our legendary Halloween walk, the Barefoot Park forest transforms into a creepy and ominous place. Sometimes beautifully lit, sometimes dark and gloomy. This year, there is a haunted carnival theme. Dozens of scare actors will scare the living daylights out of you. Afterward, you can, of course, relax with a snack and a drink. A ticket is required for this event. 

You're welcome to dress up for the Halloween walk, of course, but wearing masks and props like bats, fake weapons, etc., as well as being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, is prohibited.

Click here to book the scary (13+/adults) only walk

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

Brunssum: Spooktacular Trunk or Treat October 2026

The Hub is once again hosting a Trunk or Treat, a SPOOKTACULAR night of fun!

Trunk or Treat is a free event on USAG Benelux Brunssum for the whole family. There's a costume contest at 5pm for under 10s, and food and drink for sale. From 6pm, there's a trunk trail, where kids can go trick or treating along decorated car boots.

If you would like to register your car for the event, go to the link: Trunk or Treat Registration is open until 23rd October. 

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

Brunssum: Thrift Shop Reopening

Curios Thrift Shop is reopening in its new location in Building H-603 after a brief closure.

Curios has returned to H-603, just down the hall from the British NSE, and reopens on Tuesday 13th October. Just in time for spooky season, they have lots of Halloween and dress up items available currently. It's a great time to come and grab a bargain! 

The opening hours are:

Tuesday 0900-1300
Wednesday 1545-1845

Donations are welcome, but they are unable to accept large furniture. All donations must be clean and in working order. 

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE. 

Brunssum: British Halloween Party

Join us for a Halloween party on Friday 30th October 👻 

Come along to the Brit Bar from 4pm until 7pm for the  There's fancy dress competitions (for kids and adults!), a pumpkin contest, spooky games, and more! 

🎃 If you’d like to enter the Pumpkin competition please send the CLOs a photo of your pumpkin by Thursday 29th October - CSOCIGDN-GSO-NETHERLANDS-CMNTY@mod.gov.uk

Registration is now closed. If you registered and can no longer attend, please contact the CLOs.

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE. 

Brunssum: Indoor Skiing

Are you ready for some fun in the snow? There are indoor skiing/snowboarding slopes nearby! Snowworld is a chain with several indoor slopes in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and France. The closest is Snowworld Landgraaf, which at 400m is the longest indoor track in the Benelux region, and is only 12 minutes drive from JFC Brunssum. It also offers lessons, sledding, food, partying, and children's holiday camps. 

https://www.snowworld.com/nl/landgraaf

The British community at Brunssum also has their own ski club! Members get access to Snowworld Landgraaf three times a week, as well as access to Beaver Creek Water Park for wakeboarding in the summer. They can also take guests skiing! Annual membership is €150. There is a short waiting list, as it has limited spaces. Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCM5XJxLt2Gtu6C8mBIpwF31b-OiGIE9fnxVElqK6Ry5-xVg/viewform 

For more information on the club or Snowworld in general, please speak to the HIVE.

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE. 

Brunssum: Prepare Your Car for Winter 2026

 

Winter tyres are not mandatory in the Netherlands or Belgium, however, when driving in Germany, you are obliged to have winter tyres on your car or camper in winter conditions.

What are 'winter weather conditions'?
1. black ice
2. slippery conditions due to snow or slush
3. slippery conditions caused by ice or frost

There is no fixed time period in which you are obliged to drive with winter tyres in Germany, but it is your responsibility to have the right tyres for the right weather conditions. The general rule is ‘von O bis O’ (from October to Easter), fitting winter tyres from the beginning of October to the end of April.

Brunssum: local pumpkin patches

With autumn well and truly upon us, pumpkin season is in full swing. There are several options for those who want to go pumpkin picking locally. 

• Boerderijwinkel Mertens-Urlings - Simpelveld 
• Kwekerij Bastin - Hulsberg 
• A. Nieland Kurbisse - Vlodrop 
• De Leropper Tuin - Sint Odiliënberg 
• 't Pompoensjuurke - two locations, Guttecoven and Retersbeek
• Gertrudenhof -  Hürth–Hermülheim, Germany

Not open for the whole season: Het Akkertje - Sint Odiliënberg (appointment only), and Kriegerhof - Langerwehe, Germany - 25 & 26 September

View the list on Google Maps.

We have a separate post about Pumpkimania, a pumpkin festival near Brussels. 

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

Brunssum: Pumpkimania 2026

 Visit Pumpkimania for all things pumpkin related!

Marvel at the pumpkin sculptures, carve a pumpkin, go on a pumpkin boat ride and enjoy the thousands of colorful pumpkins that transform the park into an autumnal pumpkin wonderland. Pumpkimania is open from 25 September until 1 November. 

Visit https://pumpkimania.be/en for more information and to book your tickets.

Pumpkimania is located in the park of the castle Grand-Bigard (near Brussels)
Isidoor Van Beverenstraat 5 - 1702 Groot-Bijgaarden

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

Brunssum and EU locations: Last BFPO Posting dates for Christmas 2026

Due to expected disruption to BFPO from 1st November, the final posting date for Christmas 2026 is October 30th, 2026.

Anything posted beyond October 30th cannot be guaranteed to arrive in time for Christmas and may not be delivered until after the New Year.

It is also advised to expect higher demand and disruption to BFPO deliveries between October and December 2026.

The Government provides detailed information on measurements, restricted items and instructions on how to use BFPO.

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

Brunssum: Recruitment Distribution List

Individuals interested in employment opportunities as a Locally Employed Civilian (LEC) are invited to register on our recruitment distribution list.

To receive information on current and upcoming vacancies, please send an email to: CSOCIGDN-GSO-LECHR-RECRUITMENT@mod.gov.uk 

Registered candidates will receive vacancy advertisements, application forms, and other relevant recruitment information directly by email.

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE. 

Brunssum: Street Jump Heerlen - Indoor Trampoline Park

 

Largest indoor trampoline park in Heerlen and the surrounding area. 40+ trampolines and 8 different areas.

You can choose to jump for 1, 1.5 or 2 hours.

Brunssum: Consent form for travelling abroad with a minor

If you are travelling abroad with your child it's recommended that you have a Consent form for travelling abroad with a minor which is signed by the parent/guardian not travelling with the child.

You can either download and print a copy of this form here: Consent form for travelling abroad with a minor, or you can pick a paper copy up from the NSE (copies are on the Hive noticeboard above the radiator).

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

Brunssum: CEP have published a new patient healthcare guide and video

Central European Practice (CEP) have published a new patient healthcare guide and video.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67b6fd660495029f3e1c6a4a/Global_Support_Organisation_overseas_guides_Healthcare_Central_European_Practice.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vikFqkI5Ns

Please note one of the changes is to do with children’s vaccinations
Whilst overseas you should follow the schedule for child development checks and routine vaccinations of the Netherlands and not the UK. Schedules can normally be easily found online and you should engage earlier with your local GP or Paediatrician to ensure that they are aware of your child and can advise on any catch ups so that your child is up to date for the local schedule.
The Dutch vaccination programme can be found here - https://www.rivm.nl/en/national-immunisation-programme

CEP are creating a Brunssum specific guide so updates will be shared in the future.

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

Brunssum: Dutch Medical Centre - Update

The following message is sent on behalf of Dutch Medical Centre

When transporting certain medications with you on holiday, you will need a declaration form. The requirement depends on which medication, the country you are travelling to and for how long you will travel.

Medications that are provided under our Opiumwet will require a declaration to take with you. These medications include sleeping tablets, strong painkillers and ADHD medication.

It is the responsibility of the patient to confirm the requirement and obtain this form. Visit one of these websites for the form.

- Apotheek.nl/opreis
- https://www.hetcak.nl/medicijnen-mee-op-reis

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

Brunssum: BSN needed for NATO employees' Bank accounts

Message from ABN AMRO Bank

We would like to inform you that in the coming period, we will be reaching out to customers who currently do not comply with the BSN obligation that has been in effect for all customers since January 7th of this year. In this communication, customers will be asked to provide their BSN after all.

What does the BSN obligation entail?
As of January 7, 2025, we are legally required to register a verified Citizen Service Number (BSN) for all customers in our systems.
This means that no exceptions can be made for providing a BSN.
It is important to emphasize that holding a BSN is independent of being a tax resident (taxpayer) in the Netherlands.

As an employee of an international organization, they are not registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP), but customers can obtain a Citizen Service Number (BSN) via PROBAS (for diplomats) or through the Non-residents Registration (RNI).

The BSN received through PROBAS or the RNI can be submitted via the app or Internet Banking under Personal Details.
If the customer is unable to do this digitally, they can contact our Customer Care representatives at 0900-0024 or, from abroad, at +31 (0)10 241 17 20.

What does this mean for the onboarding of new customers?
Submitting and verifying a valid BSN is mandatory during the onboarding process.
If the BSN is not immediately available, the customer must provide it no later than 120 days after onboarding. Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us using the below details:

ABN AMRO Bank
Internet: www.abnamro.nl/en
Mob: +31 (0) 6 30325603 or Tel: +31 (0) 20 3434002
Visiting address: Vestdijk 18, 5611 CC, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Post address: Vestdijk 18, 5611 CC, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Brunssum: Location Guide

Please click here to view the JFC Brunssum Location Guide.

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.