Join in the celebrations
What are the Aaltjesdagen?
The Aaltjesdagen is an annual, multi-day festival in the Dutch town of Harderwijk, held on the second weekend of June. The main focus is on Saturday, which has traditionally been known as Aaltjesdag. The name does not refer to eels, but to Aaltje, the patron saint of Harderwijk’s fishermen. In 2022, the festival lasts three days and attracts around 50,000 visitors.
History
Since 1983, Harderwijk has been transformed into ‘Aaltjesdorp’ during the second weekend of June. The boulevard had been renovated at the time and the municipality of Harderwijk felt this should be celebrated. Since then, it has marked the opening of the tourist season. Initially, the name ‘Boulevard Day’ had been proposed. However, as the town centre and local businesses were also to be involved, the name ‘Aaltjesdag’ was chosen. The logo for Aaltjesdag features a woman’s head. Every year, an Aaltje medal is awarded to someone who has done a great deal to promote local tourism. Since 2014, a Miss Aaltje has been chosen; she serves as the face of tourism in Harderwijk for a year. Aaltjesdagen is the longest-running annual festival in the Veluwe.
Accessibility
During the Aaltjesdagen, the city centre is buzzing.
There’s something going on almost everywhere.
This also means the city’s car parks get very busy.
Do you live nearby? Then why not hop on your bike!
Do you live a bit further away?
Then use public transport
or park in one of the designated parking spaces.
Accessibility
Since the recent redevelopment of Harderwijk town centre, Aaltjesdagen has been easily accessible to people with disabilities. All the various venues are at ground level.
However, the Vischmarkt is paved with cobblestones. The Onderstroom festival takes place on the Stille Wei, which is a grassy area. Cable trenches are present in various places. Efforts are made to minimise these as much as possible, but it is not always possible to specify in advance exactly where they will be located.
For disabled parking spaces, please use the following:
Lelykade, no spaces
Zonneweide, 5 spaces
Scheepssingel, 2 spaces
Houtwal, 9 spaces
Westeinde, 2 parking spaces
For wheelchair-accessible toilets, please use the following:
Hotel Monopole (Buiten de Bruggepoort 3, Harderwijk)
Baron Eten en Drinken (Markt 15, Harderwijk)
Hema (Donkerstraat 52-54, Harderwijk)
Houtwalgarage (Vitringasingel 71, Harderwijk)
Harderwijk Town Hall (Havendam 56, Harderwijk)
Port Office (Havendam 41, Harderwijk)
Strandeiland public toilet (Hoge Brug 10, Harderwijk)
Sir Jack (Vijhestraat 36, Harderwijk)
De Boterlap (Markt 5, Harderwijk)
