| Day | Date | Ride opening hours* |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | 3 September 2027 | 14:00 - 02:00 |
| Saturday | 4 September 2027 | 14:00 - 02:00 (12:00-14:00 low-sensory) |
| Sunday | 5 September 2027 | 14:00 - 02:00 (12:00-14:00 low-sensory) |
| Monday | 6 September 2027 | 12:00 - 22:00, market on the Edammerweg from the morning |
* Hours as in 2025 and 2026. Not yet officially published for 2027.
How the Kermis Dates Are Set
The Volendam kermis follows a fixed rhythm: the first Friday of September through the following Monday. In 2025 it ran 5-8 September and in 2026 it ran 4-7 September. The same pattern gives 3-6 September for 2027 and 1-4 September for 2028.
| Year | Kermis Volendam | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Fri 5 - Mon 8 September | Past |
| 2026 | Fri 4 - Mon 7 September | Past - see Kermis Volendam 2026 |
| 2027 | Fri 3 - Mon 6 September | Expected, confirmation in spring |
| 2028 | Fri 1 - Mon 4 September | Expected |
The kermis in neighbouring Edam is held at a different time. If you are visiting in August, check our Volendam events calendar instead.
Where the Fair Is
Rides and stalls are spread through the old village centre: along the Zeestraat, on the Europaplein and up to the C.J. Conijnstraat. The Kermis Festival takes place on Slobbeland, and on Monday there is a market on the Edammerweg. In the evening the party moves to the cafés on and around the Dijk, the harbour-front street.
In 2025 ride prices were capped at €2 for small rides and €3 for large ones, with the most spectacular rides excepted. The municipality will announce whether the same applies in 2027.
What Happens Each Day
Friday - opening day
The rides open at 14:00. Afternoons are mostly families and children; from early evening the village fills up and the cafés along the Dijk stay packed until late at night.
Saturday and Sunday
The busiest days. Between 12:00 and 14:00 the fair runs in low-sensory mode (in 2026 without lights and music), which is the best window for young children or anyone sensitive to crowds and noise.
Monday - the final day
The day locals look forward to most. There is a market on the Edammerweg from the morning, and many groups wear their best kermispak: home-made matching group costumes. The Kermispak van het Jaar (costume of the year) is chosen on the final day. Rides close at 22:00.
Tuesday - the day after
The village is slow to wake up and the rides are being taken down. Not the ideal day for a first visit to Volendam.
A Fair With a Long History
Volendam already had its own kermis in the second half of the 18th century: letters between the Edam city government and West Friesland show the village had one by 1782. The tents stood on the Dijk back then, and the inns of Jan Kester and Jaap Schilder were the main gathering places. For a while Volendam even held three kermis fairs a year, until this was reduced to one in 1879. Nobody knows exactly when dressing up on the last day began; the Kermispak van het Jaar competition is a more recent addition.
The music you hear in the cafés is often palingsound and Volendam sing-alongs. The Palingsound Museum tells the story behind it.
Where to Stay for Kermis 2027
Kermis weekend is the hardest weekend of the year to find a bed in Volendam. Book early, choose a cancellable room while the dates are not yet official, and look beyond the village centre.
- In the village: the harbour hotels, including Hotel Spaander, fill first. See our guide to hotels in Volendam.
- Holiday park: Roompot Marinapark Volendam has more capacity and is within walking distance.
- Edam: five minutes away and quieter - see Edam.
- Amsterdam: take bus 316 from Amsterdam Centraal, but check the last bus back: Amsterdam to Volendam by bus.
Getting There and Parking
During the kermis, streets in the centre are closed and parking near the Dijk is almost impossible. The bus is the easiest option: from Amsterdam Centraal you reach Volendam in about half an hour and walk into the centre from the stop. If you drive, park on the edge of the village and walk the last stretch. More options are on getting to Volendam and parking.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Volendam kermis in 2027?
It is expected to run from Friday 3 to Monday 6 September 2027. The fair always begins on the first Friday of September; the municipality confirms the dates in spring.
How long does the Volendam kermis last?
Four days: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Friday to Sunday the rides are open 14:00-02:00; on Monday 12:00-22:00.
Is there an entrance fee?
No, the fair is free to enter. You pay per ride and for food and drinks.
Is the kermis suitable for children?
Yes during the day, especially in the low-sensory hours on Saturday and Sunday between 12:00 and 14:00. In the evening it becomes an adult night out.
What is the Kermispak van het Jaar?
On the last day of the fair, many Volendam locals dress up in groups in home-made matching costumes. The best or most original one is voted Kermispak van het Jaar, the costume of the year.