Purmerend transforms into winter wonderland for blockbuster Sinterklaas film
Purmerend’s historic city centre will once again host the filming of this year’s The Great Sinterklaas Film, bringing economic boosts, local participation opportunities, and nationwide exposure. Residents can join as extras while road closures may cause temporary disruptions.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Film Title | The Great Sinterklaas Film and the Flying Pieten (8th edition) |
| Filming Location | Purmerend city centre and Utrecht region |
| Filming Dates | April 9 (Purmerend), April 19 (Utrecht region) |
| Release Date | September 30, 2026 |
| Last Year’s Visitors | Over 285,000 cinema-goers |
| Extras Needed | Families and children (Pieten costumes optional) |
| Road Closures | Nieuwegracht (April 9, 2:00 PM – April 10, 12:00 PM) |
| Cast Highlights | Robert ten Brink, Martien Meiland, Tineke Schouten, Hugo Hogepief, and more |
| Economic Impact | Boosts local economy and attracts visitors |
The municipality of Purmerend plays a key role in facilitating film productions like The Great Sinterklaas Film by providing logistical support, promoting local participation, and leveraging such events to enhance the city’s cultural and economic appeal. This collaboration aligns with broader efforts to revitalize urban centres through tourism and media exposure.
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Purmerend ready for new edition of The Great Sinterklaas Film
Purmerend will once again serve as the backdrop for the 8th edition of The Great Sinterklaas Film this year. Following the great success of last year’s filming – and over 285,000 cinema visitors – the film crew is returning to our municipality.
The popular family film will be shot in various locations across Purmerend’s city centre in the coming weeks. The film will be released nationwide in cinemas on September 30, 2026, including in Purmerend. For the filming, there will again be a call for extras, and residents of our municipality are more than welcome to participate.
Purmerend in winter scenery
After last year’s successful film, the choice to return to Purmerend was quickly made, says Mick Smits on behalf of film producer Messercola: “Purmerend has an incredible number of film-worthy locations. The historic city centre, the water, the atmospheric streets – it’s the perfect fit for the magic of Sinterklaas.” This year’s production will be even more elaborate than previous editions. The eighth film in the series – The Great Sinterklaas Film and the Flying Pieten – promises to be one of the most spectacular yet. With innovative elements, strong humour, and plenty of adventure, the story gets a fresh, wintry twist, with Purmerend’s historic city centre serving as one of the backdrops.
Plot
When Sinterklaas and his Pieten arrive in the Netherlands, they are met with extreme winter conditions. A heavy snowstorm brings the country to a standstill, creating tense and humorous scenes on the rooftops. As a code red is declared and rooftops become off-limits, the Sinterklaas celebration seems in jeopardy. Meanwhile, mysterious events in the castle add to the confusion. Will the Pieten manage to deliver all the gifts on time despite the snow, storm, and slippery rooftops?
Star-studded cast
Once again, the cast features a mix of well-known names and familiar faces, including Robert ten Brink, Martien Meiland, Tineke Schouten, and beloved Pieten such as Hugo Hogepief, Marco Marsepein, Willem Wortel, Party Piet Pablo, Kim Kado, and Chico Choco. The Pio’s (Pieten In Opleiding), introduced last year, will also make an appearance, along with YouTube stars Quinn & Aaron and DutchTuber.
Promotion for Purmerend
The filming will take place partly in Purmerend’s city centre, where the characteristic houses and historic streets become part of the new film story. The movie puts Purmerend in a positive spotlight nationwide, showcasing how cozy and diverse our city centre is for residents, entrepreneurs, owners, and visitors. In addition to promoting the city itself, the film also contributes to strengthening the local economy and attracting more visitors.
Councillors Pascal Verkroost and Mario Hegger say: “Together with the many parties and entrepreneurs linked to the City Centre programme, we ensure that Sinterklaas is warmly welcomed this autumn. We are also organising fun activities in the town between the polders and collaborating with the film producer on events. This is the icing on the cake for promoting Purmerend’s city centre.”
Be an extra!
Residents of Purmerend – young and old – will again have the chance to appear in the film as background extras in various scenes. Filming will take place in April, partly in the city centre and partly at another filming location in the Utrecht region. On Thursday, April 9, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM (in the city centre) and on Sunday, April 19, from 12:30 PM to 11:00 PM (in the Utrecht region), the producer is looking for both families and individual children. Parents can, of course, accompany them as supervisors. Please note: the filming times are indicative, so please take this into account for the children.
To sign up, send an email with the following details: name, email, phone number, who within the family will be an extra, for which day(s), and whether the children have their own Pieten costumes. Also include a fun photo.
Detours during filming days
During some filming moments, streets will be temporarily closed. Road users will be redirected on-site. Nieuwegracht will have a longer detour. This street will be closed to all traffic from Thursday, April 9, 2:00 PM until Friday, April 10, 12:00 PM.