The new year has arrived and of course there is already a lot on the Dordt UITagenda. In order not to miss anything, we are passing on some important dates that you really should put in your calendar. This year there is something for everyone when it comes to the events calendar. We have selected a few for you.
May 14–17: Lepeltje Lepeltje
During Ascension Day weekend, from Thursday, May 14, through Sunday, May 17, Lepeltje Lepeltje will be taking over Weizigtpark. For four days, visitors can enjoy culinary delights, live music, and electronic beats. The park will be filled with charming market stalls offering unique products, while the youngest visitors can have a blast with creative children’s entertainment. The musical program and a sneak peek at the participating food trucks will be available soon on the event’s website. As always, admission to Lepeltje Lepeltje is completely free.
May 29–31: Dordt in Stoom
In May, the 21st edition of Dordt in Stoom, Europe’s largest steam event, will take place in Dordrecht. Admission is free; for historic transportation, you can purchase a day pass for the well-known “Stoomrondje Dordt.”
On Friday evening, May 29, the Fleet Review will once again be held—the spectacular opening event of Dordt in Stoom! Dordt in Stoom kicks off with a steam whistle concert at 8:00 p.m. You can watch this spectacle from the Groothoofd, the Merwekade, and the banks of Zwijndrecht and Papendrecht. See also the program and map.
This massive event is spread across two areas of the city. The Stoomrondje Dordt takes you back in time. It grants you access to all modes of transportation at the event. Included are the steam train, (historic) buses, admission to the Model Building Show, tours of various ships, and (steam) boat tours.
June 5 & 6: Wantijlive and Wantijpop
Every year, Wantijlive and Wantijpop bring families and friends together. Enjoying the best acts, the tastiest food, and the great atmosphere together—that’s what Wantijlive and Wantijpop are all about! Do these events kick off your festival summer, too? Wantijlive is the music festival where you can see the best live acts from the Netherlands, right here in the beautiful and intimate Wantijpark. In addition to well-known top Dutch acts, Wantijpop also features the Popcentrale stage with the coolest local acts. You’ll find the best activities for kids at Koning Eik, dance the night away to house music at the Geheime Deuntjes, and feast on the region’s most delicious food. All of this makes both events among the top (free) activities in Dordrecht—and the surrounding region.
June 24: Zoomer Wantij Run
On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, summer will once again be kicked off with the most fun summer evening run in Dordrecht: the Zoomer Wantij Run. The beautiful Wantij provides a stunning backdrop for the three distances: 10 English miles, 10 km, and 5 km. Zoomer Makelaardij is the organizer and main sponsor of this wonderful run in Dordrecht, with a portion of the proceeds going to a local charity. Will you mark it on your calendar? You can participate as a runner or as a volunteer!
July 10–12: Big Rivers
In July, Dordrecht once again becomes the New Orleans of the Low Countries. It’s time to dust off those purple, green, and gold Mardi Gras necklaces for the multi-day music festival Big Rivers. This year, it runs from Friday, July 10, through Sunday, July 12. Musical events for all ages will take place at various venues throughout the city. There’s also a lively festival market located in the Grotekerksbuurt and on the Groenmarkt. Performances will take place at locations including the Grotekerkstuin, Korte Kalkhaven, Grote Markt, Statenplaats, and De Waag. As soon as the lineup is announced, you’ll be able to find it on the Big Rivers website. We’re already looking forward to summer after reading about all these fun events!
August 22: Dordrecht Pride
Dordrecht Pride was founded in 2012 to meet a need—a need for local LGBTQ+ events. By then, virtually every major city already had a large-scale LGBTQ+ event. In 2012, Dordrecht was named “Event City of the Year,” but it still lacked a LGBTQ+ festival that could attract a large number of visitors annually. Given that there was absolutely nothing in Dordrecht for this demographic in this area, a lot of hard work went into creating a festival the entire city can be proud of: Dordrecht Pride.
Many organizations joined this wonderful initiative, including the Grote Kerk, schools, restaurants and bars, and many business owners. As a result, several successful festivals have already been organized. Dordrecht Pride has sparked a conversation and raised awareness of diversity in a positive way.
September 12 & 13: Open Monument Days
Dordrecht is a true city of historic landmarks, boasting more than 1,000 of them. The city had already grown to prominence in the Middle Ages and developed into the premier commercial and administrative center of Holland, experiencing its own Golden Age as early as the 14th century. Walking along the inner harbors, the important commodities traded at that time are still clearly reflected in the street names, as the names Wijnstraat and Wijnhaven suggest. During the Open Monument Days , many monuments open their doors—which is especially fun because these monuments are not normally open to visitors. Visit the monuments of your choice and join one of the city walks. Or enjoy the music program. This year’s theme is “Heritage in Danger.” Various activities are organized around this theme.
October 10: Dordrecht Culture Night
The Dordrecht Culture Night is the perfect opportunity to experience Dordrecht’s rich culture in a unique way! On the second Saturday of October, art and cultural institutions open their doors for a special—and free—program that takes visitors of all ages on an evening full of surprises. From inspiring exhibitions and intimate concerts to captivating theater performances and creative workshops: there’s something for everyone. From 6:00 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., the city buzzes with energy, and you’ll discover just how diverse and vibrant Dordrecht’s cultural scene is. Put on your walking shoes, immerse yourself in art and camaraderie, and experience a night you won’t soon forget!
Curious about all the events in 2026?
