Ascension Day 2019 falls on Thursday, May 30, kicking off a fantastic long weekend. As seasoned event curators familiar with the Netherlands' vibrant festival scene, we've handpicked the best family-friendly outings, from cultural fairs to food festivals and adventure days. Discover ideas for young and old.
Experience the world's oldest Indo-Dutch festival at the Tong Tong Fair. Savor global cuisines, catch theater performances, and enjoy live music—an enriching outing for everyone from May 23 to June 2.
When: Thursday, May 23 to Sunday, June 2, 2019
Where: Malieveld, The Hague
Time: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Admission: €15.00; €4.50 (children); Free (up to 3 years)
Thrilling autocross action draws families annually. Watch races and let kids bounce on the supervised castle.
When: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Where: Bierhoogtweg 7, Zevenhuizen
Time: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Admission: €12.00; €5.00 (children); Free (up to 6 years)
Kick off summer with free beach festivities: DJs, food trucks, kids' programs, and a mega fair on River- and Zeekant.
When: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Where: Beach, Hoek van Holland
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission: Free
Foodies rejoice at this staple event with international street food, live music, a flea market, and kids' activities from May 30 to June 2.
When: Thursday, May 30 to Sunday, June 2, 2019
Where: Weizigtpark, Dordrecht
Time: Thu 12:00–23:00; Fri 14:00–00:00; Sat 12:00–00:00; Sun 12:00–22:00
Admission: Free
Mobile kitchens serve up global eats alongside music, films, and theater at Westergas from May 29 to June 2.
When: Wednesday, May 29 to Sunday, June 2, 2019
Where: Westergasterrein, Amsterdam
Time: 13:00 – 23:00
Admission: Free
Colorful family fun with street theater, kids' activities, art, and bands at NDSM Wharf.
When: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Where: NDSM Wharf, Amsterdam North
Time: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM (afterparty to 3:00 AM)
Admission: €26.75 (afterparty €14.25)
Diverse program: free street theater, pop-up dining, bike routes with performances, and music through June 10.
When: Thursday, May 30 to Monday, June 10, 2019
Where: Luttik Oudorp 114, Alkmaar
Time: See website
Admission: Free – €25.00
Cozy vibe with Ibiza market, dance, music, kids' entertainment, and food trucks.
When: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Where: Park Boom en Bosch, Markt 13, Breukelen
Time: 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Admission: Free
Netherlands' longest fair at 5+ km with 250+ stalls of diverse goods.
When: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Where: Amsterdamsestraatweg, Utrecht
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission: Free
Meet Thomas and the Fat Controller at the Railway Museum; kids can play and build.
When: Thursday, May 30 to Sunday, June 2, 2019
Where: Railway Museum, Maliebaan Station, Utrecht
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission: €17.50; €5.50 (1-3 years)
Fairground fun, jumping, dressage, fireworks, market, and live music.
When: Wednesday, May 29 to Sunday, June 2, 2019
Where: Center of Roden (Brink)
Time: All day from 8:30 AM (see website)
Admission: Free (family bike ride €4.00; kids to 12 free)
Early morning 10-15km nature walk with breakfast.
When: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Where: Huus met de Belle, Zuidwolderweg 2a, Echten
Time: 6:00 AM
Admission: €7.50
35+ stalls around the village green; pair with Gnomenland visit.
When: May 30, 2019
Where: Schoolstraat, Exloo
Time: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission: Free
Model aircraft from paratroopers to helicopters—fun for families.
When: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Where: Verlengde Revisieweg, Emmeloord
Time: 12:00 – 16:30
Admission: Free
Unique experiences like bedside musicians, silent concerts, Proeftuin food/music.
When: Wednesday, May 29 to Sunday, June 2, 2019
Where: Lindelaan, Oranjewoud
Time: See website
Admission: Free and paid
Theater, music, dance in open-air setting with panoramic views.
When: Thursday, May 30 to Sunday, June 2, 2019
Where: City Park Zaslaan, Hoogte 80, Arnhem
Time: Thu-Sat 12:00–00:00; Sun 12:00–22:00
Admission: Free
Mobile kitchens, music, theater.
When: Thursday, May 30 to Sunday, June 2, 2019
Where: Hunnerpark, Sint Jorisstraat, Nijmegen
Time: Fri-Sat 14:00–23:00; Sun 14:00–21:00
Admission: Free
24th edition of quirky orchestra fun.
When: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Where: Centrum Groenlo
Time: 12:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Admission: Free
100-stall market, fair, old-timer show.
When: Thursday, May 30 to Sunday, June 2, 2019
Where: Rhederbrug, Leidijksweg
Time: 1:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Admission: Most free
9-42km walks through Limburg nature, past Margraten cemetery.
When: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Where: Fanfare Hall, Dorpstraat 29, Sint Geertruid
Time: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Admission: €2.50
Art/flea market, May pole planting, stage performances.
When: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Where: Markt, Meerssen
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission: Free
Museums/galleries open for painting, sculpture, ceramics.
When: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Where: Straelseweg 77, Venlo
Time: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Admission: Free
50-100 stalls; proceeds to KWF in 2020.
When: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Where: Rooms car park, Westhoven 7, Roermond
Time: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Admission: €1.00
Guided walks with 4 asparagus tastings amid hills and castles through June 1.
When: April 21 to June 1, 2019
Where: Au Soleil, Grendelplein 11, Valkenburg
Time: Until 5:00 PM daily
Admission: €9.99
International driving, bike challenge, tug-of-war, promo village.
When: Thursday, May 30 to Sunday, June 2, 2019
Where: Klein Schaft 5, Valkenswaard
Time: See website
Admission: Free (parking fee)
200+ performers: song, dance, music, drama around Cacaofabriek.
When: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Where: Cacaofabriek, Cacaokade 1, Helmond
Time: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission: Free
Family activities: fish fry championship, kids' flea market, fair.
When: Thursday, May 30 to Saturday, June 1, 2019
Where: Fortress, Oude Ban 7, Woudrichem
Time: All day (see website)
Admission: Free
17 stages with national/international jazz over 4 days.
When: May 30 to June 2, 2019
Where: Various downtown Breda
Time: Thu-Sat 13:00–00:00; Sun 10:30 AM–6:30 PM
Admission: Free (some indoor entry)
Small animals, garden displays for all ages.
When: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Where: Fairterrain, Broekhuisdijk 2, Bathmen
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Admission: Free (donation appreciated)
Hundreds of indoor/outdoor stalls, music, kids' attractions.
When: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Where: Bornsestraat 14, Weerselo
Time: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission: €2.50; Free (up to 12 years)
New goods, lots, private sales.
When: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Where: Haaksbergen market
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission: Free
Concerts, masterclasses, workshops.
When: Thursday, May 30 to Sunday, June 2, 2019
Where: Various Enschede
Time: See website
Admission: See website
Kids' shows, theater, markets for all ages.
When: Thursday, May 30 to Sunday, June 2, 2019
Where: Various Zwolle
Time: Thu 17:00–00:00; Fri-Sat 13:00–00:00; Sun 10:00–21:00
Admission: Pay-what-you-wish
Fair, music, kids' games, ring riding.
When: Thursday, May 30 to Sunday, June 2, 2019
Where: Langestraat, Delden
Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Admission: Free
Vintage cars, book market, tower climb, lottery, food.
When: Thursday, May 30, 2019
Where: Oosterstraat, Axel
Time: 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Admission: Free
Antiques and brocante bargains.
When: Thursday, May 30 & Friday, May 31, 2019
Where: Markt, Middelburg
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Admission: Free
What are you doing for Ascension weekend? Share your favorite family outing tips—we'll add them to this guide!
