Efteling Tells… Joris and the Dragon Wins VVTP Golden Ticket Award

Efteling fans have every reason to be excited! The brand-new family musical “Efteling Tells… Joris and the Dragon” has already drawn more than 25,000 visitors in a short time and has been awarded the prestigious VVTP Golden Ticket Award. Director Mark Haayema personally presented the honor at Stadsschouwburg Haarlem, completely surprising the cast.

“If a production is well received by the press and the premiere audience, that’s already fantastic,” says Haayema. “But when so many people come to see ‘Joris and the Dragon,’ that’s truly the cherry on top. I’m especially proud of the cast, the technical team and the entire production, who bring every performance to life with such dedication and joy.”

Most people know Joris and the Dragon primarily from the popular wooden racing coaster at Efteling. Yet behind those thrilling rides lies a genuine fairy-tale adventure. The new “Efteling Tells…” series now brings exactly this story to the stage in a bolder and more action-packed form.

It all starts with a family on their way to Efteling whose car suddenly breaks down – no phone, no help in sight. What do you do? You tell stories, of course. That’s how the audience is swept into the kingdom that has been terrorized by a mighty dragon for years. When Princess Rosalie is chosen as the sacrifice, brave Joris decides to team up with his friend Rosalie to fight the beast. Will they manage to save the realm?

This 70-minute musical is packed with humor, catchy songs by René Merkelbach and dynamic scenes. Suitable for the whole family from age six onward, the show continues its tour through theaters in the Netherlands and Flanders until May 31, 2026.