September 4, 2026

Come and spend the autumn break on Texel! There are autumn markets, stargazing evenings, kite-buggy races, and a lantern walk. Here are our tips for a wonderful few days of autumn on the island.

Take an autumn walk

Autumn is a great time to explore Texel on foot. Walk through the woods among colourful leaves, look out for mushrooms along the path or choose a route through the dunes and onto the beach. Whether you fancy a short stroll or a longer hike, there are plenty of options. You can download lots of hiking trails on Texel for free from our website.

Enjoy the blues in Den Burg

The autumn break kicks off with live music. During the Texels Blues festival from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 October, blues musicians from the Netherlands and abroad will perform on small stages scattered throughout Den Burg. Performances take place in various pubs during the day and evening. Good to know: the festival is for visitors aged 18 and older.

Stroll through the autumn markets

On Wednesdays, October 14 and 21, an autumn market will be held in Den Burg from 11 am to 5 pm, featuring stalls, music, art, and entertainment. On Sunday, October 18, you can visit the autumn market in De Waal from 11 am to 2 pm. There, local residents sell items including second-hand goods, handmade crafts, and tasty treats.

Go on a discovery tour in the nature garden

On October 15, 16, and 17, you can go on a discovery tour of the edible nature garden near Oosterend. Armed with a guidebook and ten challenges, you’ll explore the garden together. Which plants do you recognise, and who makes the most discoveries? The tour is designed for children accompanied by a parent or grandparent. Check out the Parent-Child discovery tour in the nature garden and book your spot in advance.

Discover Ecomare

See seals up close, admire seahorses in the marine aquarium, take a look at the bird sanctuary, and explore whale and dolphin skeletons: there is plenty to experience at Ecomare. At the nature museum, you can learn more about the Wadden Sea, the North Sea, and the nature of Texel. Don’t miss the seal feeding presentations. Want to plan ahead? Buy your tickets for Ecomare in advance. Then buy your tickets for Ecomare ahead of time.

Find the 'Sommeltjes' in the woods

A walk in the woods becomes much more exciting for young children on the Sommeltjespad (Sommeltjes Trail). 'Sommeltjes'—Texel earth spirits said to come to life at night according to local legend—are hidden all along this short route through the De Dennen forest. In autumn, you can also take the opportunity to look at leaves, pine cones, and mushrooms along the way.

Watch kite buggies on the beach

Wind and a wide beach: that combination comes in handy on October 17 and 18 during the kite buggy races on the beach near the lighthouse. These events mark the first races of the season for the Dutch Championship. Find a spot along the beach and watch the competitors race their buggies across the sand.

Go birdwatching

October is a great month to bring your binoculars. Many migratory birds pass over Texel during the autumn migration, including thrushes, birds of prey, and winter visitors. If there is a strong westerly or north-westerly wind, you might also spot various seabirds from the beach. Read our tips on birdwatching in October beforehand or check out our overview of all birdwatching excursions.

Look at the stars

The evenings are getting longer, so it’s a good time to look up at the sky. During the autumn holidays, stargazing evenings are scheduled for October 13, 15, 20, 22, and 24. You can view the moon, galaxies, nebulae, and planets through a telescope. These stargazing events only take place in clear weather, so be sure to check beforehand if the event is going ahead.

Join the lantern walk

Saturday, October 24 marks the 'Night of the Night' (Nacht van de Nacht). A lantern walk through the historic village centre of Den Burg starts at 7.30 pm. Children and adults walk together through the dark streets, carrying their own small lights or candles. Participants gather from 7 pm at the *Glazen Paleis* (Glass Palace) in the park. Participation is free.

Taste Texel bock beer

Autumn on Texel? That calls for Texel bock beer. The island is home to several breweries, and many of them brew their own bock beer. Sample one at a café, restaurant, or beach pavilion, or discover how this speciality beer is made during a tour of the Texel breweries.

View award-winning photography in Den Burg

The *Zilveren Camera* (Silver Camera) photo exhibition is on display at the Burghtkerk in Den Burg until October 24. The exhibition features the best Dutch news photos from 2025, alongside nominated multimedia projects and independent photography. The exhibition is open Monday through Saturday.

Discover what else there is to do

There are more activities during the autumn break than we can include in one blog post. So, check our events calendar just before you leave to see exactly what is happening during your holiday.

Haven’t booked yet?

Want to visit the island for a few days in October? Check out the available accommodation for the autumn holidays on Texel. You can choose from holiday homes, hotels, bed & breakfasts, and campsites, and see immediately what is available for your travel dates.

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