Activities in the village
The Festival Week has a daily programme in and around the village canal. The full programme is on gondelvaartgiethoorn.nl.
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Event
Gondelvaart Giethoorn
Decorated, illuminated boats parade through the village canal on the last Saturday of the Festival Week. 2026 edition: Saturday 29 August. Programme, tickets and parking.
The highlight of the year
Lights on the water
The Gondelvaart is Giethoorn’s best-known event. In the evening, decorated and illuminated gondolas glide one after another through the village canal, past the bridges and farmhouses, while the crowd watches from the banks. The Gondelvaart closes the Festival Week, a week of activities in the village.
In 2026 the Festival Week ran from 24 to 30 August, with the Gondelvaart on Saturday 29 August. The date of the next edition is announced on gondelvaartgiethoorn.nl.
- Tickets via gondelvaartgiethoorn.nl
- Festival Week: a week-long programme in the village
- Boats in Festival Week: book early
Gondelvaart programme, Saturday 29 August 2026
The programme of the 2026 edition. New editions usually follow the same pattern; the final programme is published on gondelvaartgiethoorn.nl.
| Time | Programme |
|---|---|
| 18:00 | Entertainment along the canal |
| 20:00 | Official opening |
| 20:45 | Gondelvaart: the illuminated boats parade through the village canal |
| 23:00 | Party afterwards |
Times subject to change by the organisers.
Tickets
How to get tickets
On sale from 25 JulyTicket sales for 2026 opened on 25 July via gondelvaartgiethoorn.nl. Prices and categories are on that website.
Be quickThe Gondelvaart draws large crowds. Buy tickets as soon as sales open.
Stay overnightSleep in the village at Old Art Hotel or Hotel Giethoorn and walk to the canal. See hotels.
Festival Week
A week of festivities in the village
The 2026 Festival Week ran from Monday 24 to Sunday 30 August.
Gondelvaart on Saturday
The illuminated boats parade on the last Saturday of the week, in 2026 on 29 August from 20:45.
Boating in Festival Week
During the day you can sail as usual. It is busy, so book your boat well ahead and arrive on time.
Renting a boat in Festival Week: book early
During the Festival Week, and certainly on Gondelvaart day, our whisper boats sell out fast. Reserve your boat online as soon as your date is fixed: you get the best price, you can cancel for free and your boat is guaranteed.
The canal cruise and the private tour are popular that week too. Sail through the village by day and see the decorated gondolas moored in the canal, or go out at the end of the afternoon and watch the preparations for the evening.
Parking
Parking on Gondelvaart evening
Arrive earlyGiethoorn has about 1,500 parking spaces, most of them free. On Gondelvaart evening they fill up early.
Free with usGuests of Boatrental Giethoorn (Zuiderpad 14A) and Old Art Hotel (Ds. T.O. Hylkemaweg 7) park for free. See parking.
Not on the vergeParking outside the marked bays means a fine. Follow the instructions of the traffic marshals.
Questions about the Gondelvaart
When is the Gondelvaart in Giethoorn?
The Gondelvaart takes place on the last Saturday of the Festival Week, at the end of August. In 2026 that was Saturday 29 August. The next date is announced on gondelvaartgiethoorn.nl.
What time does the Gondelvaart start?
In 2026: entertainment from 18:00, opening at 20:00, the parade itself at 20:45 and the party at 23:00.
How do I get tickets?
Via gondelvaartgiethoorn.nl. In 2026 sales opened on 25 July. Prices are on the organisers’ website.
Can I sail myself during the Gondelvaart?
During the day in Festival Week you can sail as usual; our rental is open until sunset. Book well ahead on the boat rental page, because the boats go fast.
Where do I park on Gondelvaart evening?
Arrive early. The village has about 1,500 spaces, most of them free; guests of Boatrental Giethoorn and Old Art Hotel park for free. Do not park on the verge.
Can I stay overnight in the village?
Yes, at Old Art Hotel (Ds. T.O. Hylkemaweg 7) or Hotel Giethoorn (Petersteeg 2), both a short walk from the canal. Book early, the Festival Week is popular. See hotels.
Sail yourself in Festival Week
Reserve your whisper boat online, free cancellation and the best price.