This calendar lists only events we could check against the municipality, the organisers or local news. Recurring events are marked "expected" until their date is announced. We update this page as dates are confirmed. Last checked: October 2026.
The Events Worth Planning Around
Kermis Volendam
First Friday of September, Fri-Mon. The village's biggest week: four days of rides and stalls in the old centre (Zeestraat, Europaplein), packed cafés on the Dijk, and on the last day groups in home-made matching outfits competing for "Kermispak van het Jaar". 2026: 4-7 Sept. 2027: 3-6 Sept (expected).
Kermis 2027 guideVolendammer Dagen
Late June weekend. The village's heritage festival, at the harbour, in the old centre and at the Volendams Museum: a traditional-costume parade, a folk market, plein-air painters, botter boat trips and a Mass with the Volendam Opera Choir. In 2026 it was 27-28 June.
Sinterklaas arrival
Mid-November, Sunday evening. Sinterklaas sails into the harbour at around 17:30 and is welcomed by the mayor. A procession then goes through the village, and fireworks finish the evening. Recent years: 17 Nov 2024, 16 Nov 2025.
Calendar October 2026 - September 2027
| Date | Event | Where | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri-Sat, Oct 2026 - May 2027 | FC Volendam home matches (Keuken Kampioen Divisie) | Kras Stadion, Sportlaan | Confirmed season. See FC Volendam |
| Sun 15 Nov 2026 (expected) | Sinterklaas arrives by boat, then a procession | Volendam harbour | Expected, usually announced late October |
| December 2026 | Christmas markets in the area (Edam, Marken, Monnickendam) | Neighbouring towns | Volendam held a one-day market on Europaplein in 2024. No 2026 date yet |
| 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's dive (Nieuwjaarsduik) | Pool De Waterdam | Recurring, 12:00 |
| Sat 3 - Sun 4 Apr 2027 | Pieperrace: historic sailing ships race from Volendam harbour | Volendam harbour / IJsselmeer | Confirmed by organiser |
| Tue 27 Apr 2027 | King's Day (Koningsdag): big indoor flea market | Sports hall De Opperdam, Heideweg 4 | National holiday. Flea market expected |
| 4-5 May 2027 | Remembrance Day (8 pm silence) and Liberation Day | Nationwide | Fixed dates |
| Late June 2027 | Volendammer Dagen heritage weekend + herring party and eel-smoking contest | Harbour, old centre, De Botterwerf (Slobbeland 13) | Expected, date to be announced |
| Wednesdays, Jul-Aug 2027 | Edam cheese market (Kaasmarkt), 10:30-12:30 | Edam, 5 min away | Expected (2026 ran 1 Jul - 19 Aug) |
| Late Aug 2027 | Kermis Edam | Damplein, Edam | Expected (2026: 27-30 Aug) |
| Fri 3 - Mon 6 Sep 2027 | Kermis Volendam | Old centre, Zeestraat / Europaplein | Expected, follows the first-Friday-of-September rule |
| Sat 11 - Sun 12 Sep 2027 | Open Monument Days (Open Monumentendag) | Nationwide, including Edam-Volendam | Fixed: second weekend of September |
Every Week
- Saturday market: Volendam's weekly market is held on Saturdays in the centre. Sources disagree on whether it is on Europaplein or Zeestraat, so ask locally.
- Marken Express ferry: runs daily all year. Winter departures end earlier. See the Marken ferry guide.
- FC Volendam: home games at the Kras Stadion, usually on Friday evenings. See FC Volendam.
When to Avoid Visiting
- Kermis weekend (early September) if you want a quiet harbour. Streets in the centre close, hotels fill up and the evenings are loud.
- Summer Saturdays bring the most day-trip coaches from Amsterdam. Arrive before 10:00 or after 16:00.
- Match evenings make parking near the Kras Stadion and the Dijk harder to find.
For the quieter months, see the best time to visit Volendam.
How to Confirm Dates
Dates for recurring events shift from year to year. These sources are reliable:
- The events pages of the municipality of Edam-Volendam (edam-volendam.nl)
- Local news: Nieuw-Volendam and RODI Edam-Volendam publish programmes a few weeks ahead
- VVV Volendam, the tourist information office in the village
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Volendam kermis in 2027?
It is expected from Friday 3 to Monday 6 September 2027. The kermis always starts on the first Friday of September and lasts four days.
When does Sinterklaas arrive in Volendam in 2026?
He arrives on the Sunday of the national arrival weekend, by boat in Volendam harbour at around 17:30. For 2026 that is expected to be 15 November. The programme is usually published in late October.
Is there a Christmas market in Volendam?
Not every year. In 2024 there was a one-day market on Europaplein (22 December). In 2025 the nearby markets were in Edam, Marken and Monnickendam. We'll add 2026 dates once they are announced.
Does the Marken ferry run in winter?
Yes. The Volendam Marken Express sails every day of the year, with earlier last departures in winter.