Elster Paardenmarkt
One of the last truly working horse markets in Europe, Elst's 763rd-edition fair opens at 5 am and draws around 700 horses and ponies alongside international dealers, preserving a living trading tradition stretching back over 750 years.
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"Described as the largest illuminated corso in Europe, giant dahlia-covered floats process through this tiny Weerribben-Wieden village in an evening spectacle founded in 1968 and now UNESCO-recognised intangible heritage."
Corso Sint Jansklooster
"Towering floats adorned with hundreds of thousands of dahlias parade three times through the streets of a picturesque former Zuiderzee town as part of a full corso week, listed on UNESCO's intangible heritage register."
Corso Vollenhove
"Handcrafted illuminated gondolas punt through the famous thatched-cottage canal village of Giethoorn in a tradition dating to 1930, now recognised as Dutch UNESCO intangible cultural heritage."
Gondelvaart Giethoorn
"Illuminated decorated gondolas glide through the canals of this tiny peat-village hamlet near Weerribben-Wieden national park in a tradition shared with UNESCO-recognised intangible heritage."
Gondelvaart Belt-Schutsloot
"Every Wednesday morning from July to August, horse-drawn carriages and boats deliver rounds of Edam cheese to the historic Jan van Nieuwenhuizen square, where costumed farmers recreate centuries-old trading rituals at the 1778 weigh house."
Kaasmarkt Edam
"Each Thursday evening of summer at Willemshof in the car-free island village of Schiermonnikoog, the Strúnmarkt brings islanders and visitors together in a cosy evening market full of craft stalls and local atmosphere."
Strúnmarkt Schiermonnikoog
"Every Thursday of the summer season the tiny Texel village of Den Hoorn fills its Herenstraat with stalls of local produce, handmade crafts and second-hand finds, a charming island market with a loyal following among residents and visitors alike."
Hoornder Donderdagmarkt
"A lively outdoor market in the tiny coastal village of Pieterburen, known for its seal rescue centre, offering local Wadden-region produce and crafts."
Waddenmarkt Pieterburen
"A lively annual market day that turns the compact historic centre of Steenbergen into an open-air fair with stalls, live music and a festive street atmosphere typical of small Brabant market towns."
Jaarmarkt Steenbergen
"Marking its 1,079th edition in 2026, this South Holland village horse market traces its origins to 840 AD, making it the oldest horse market in the Netherlands and a remarkable piece of living agricultural heritage."
Valkenburgse Paardenmarkt