24–30 August 2026
Giethoorn Festival Week
A week of activities in and around the village canal, ending with the Gondelvaart. Programme on gondelvaartgiethoorn.nl.
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Village guide
Events in Giethoorn
The live calendar plus the fixed highlights of the year: the Festival Week with the Gondelvaart boat parade, King’s Day, the Bokkentocht, the art route and the Christmas market.
All year round
A village with a calendar of its own
Giethoorn has a small but regular programme: in the last week of August the Festival Week, with the Gondelvaart illuminated boat parade as its highlight, King’s Day in spring, the Bokkentocht bock beer tour and the art route in autumn, and the Christmas art and gift market in December.
Around events the village is busy and the boats sell out fast. Book your boat or canal cruise online in advance to be sure of your place.
- Live calendar below
- Festival Week 24 to 30 August 2026
- Gondelvaart Saturday 29 August 2026
Calendar
Coming up in Giethoorn
The next events in and around the village.
Annual
Regular events
Saturday 29 August 2026
Gondelvaart
Decorated and illuminated boats parade through the village canal in the evening. Entertainment from 18:00, parade at 20:45, then a party.
27 April
King’s Day
Orange on and along the water. A busy day in the village, so book your boat ahead.
October
Bokkentocht
Tasting bock beer by boat at the waterside bars and restaurants, in autumn. Date and participants via giethoornagenda.nl.
October
Weerribben-Wieden art route
Artists across the region open their studios. Route and participants via visitweerribbenwieden.com.
December
Christmas art and gift market
Art and gifts in a festive setting in the village. Date via giethoornagenda.nl.
Summer
Jazz Sundays
Live jazz on Sunday afternoons during the season. Dates and venues in the calendar.
21 June
Midsummer concert
A concert on the longest day at Museum ’t Olde Maat Uus, Binnenpad 52.
Crowds around events
On event days, public holidays and during the Festival Week the village is full and the car parks on the edge fill up early. Arrive early, park for free with us at Zuiderpad 14A and book your boat in advance: online you get the best price and you know a boat is waiting for you.
Looking for peace and quiet instead? Pick a weekday outside the holidays. Our crowd indicator shows what to expect day by day.
Gondelvaart Giethoorn
The highlight of the year: illuminated boats through the village canal on Saturday 29 August 2026. Programme, tickets and parking.
Questions about events
When is the Gondelvaart 2026?
Saturday 29 August 2026, closing the Festival Week of 24 to 30 August. Tickets via gondelvaartgiethoorn.nl, on sale from 25 July. See our Gondelvaart page.
What events are there in Giethoorn?
The Festival Week with the Gondelvaart (August), King’s Day (27 April), the Bokkentocht and the art route (October), the Christmas art and gift market (December), Jazz Sundays in summer and the midsummer concert on 21 June.
Where do I find the current calendar?
In our live calendar above, and on giethoornagenda.nl for the full overview.
Can I rent a boat during an event?
Yes, but book ahead: on event days the boats go fast. Book online on the boat rental page.
Is Giethoorn busy during events?
Yes. Arrive early, park for free with us and allow for waiting times in the village. See best time to visit.
Book before it gets busy
Around events our boats sell out quickly. Online bookings can be cancelled for free and give you the best price.