Each year on October 2nd and 3rd, from early in the morning until late in the evening, young and old celebrate that Leiden was liberated from the Spaniards in 1574 and we commemorate the importance of freedom.
Leiden's Ontzet is the biggest celebration of town identity in the Netherlands. Against the backdrop of Leiden's beautiful 17 th and 18 th century buildings and canals, commemoration and celebration go hand in hand, showing that history is far from dull – and far from over.
Whether it's the culinary delights of hutspot, herring and white bread. Or the celebration of local identity by community singing, parades and the biggest Dutch carnival north of the Rhine. Or just the opportunity of boozing at street bars deep into the night, while dancing to the tunes of local luminaries such as 'Rubber Robbie' and 'Barry Swimsuit'. One thing is certain: each year on October 2nd and 3rd, Leiden draws huge crowds to celebrate the relief of the city in 1574: Leiden's Ontzet.
Check out the full program here .
When
- Dagelijks vanaf 2 oktober 2023 t/m 3 oktober 2023