Zaantheater in Zaandam
Zaantheater is Zaandam's central theatre, with an 879-seat Albert Heijnzaal, a 230-seat Kleine Zaal, a garage under the building and a 13–15 minute walk from Zaandam station.
Photo credits
The Albert Heijnzaal at Zaantheater, with rows of seats and the stage.: Zaantheater · Zaantheater website · Cropped
Quick answers
- Capacity
- 879 in Albert Heijnzaal · 230 in Kleine Zaal
- Address
- Nicolaasstraat 31506 BB Zaandam
- Nearest station
- Zaandam, 13–15 min walk
- Closest parking
- Zaantheater garage, 2 min walk
- Evening parking
- € 7,00 exit card
- Bags
- Coats and large bags in cloakroom or locker
- Box office
- Mon-Fri 09:00-12:30 and 13:00-17:00
- Typical evening
- Starts 20:00 or 20:30, ends around 22:00–22:30
- Contact
- +31 75 655 5345
Holidays at Zaantheater
Open on the holidays: these nights are in the agenda.
- ChristmasCeltic Steps
Zaantheater agenda: upcoming events
Tonight, this week and the months ahead at this venue in Zaandam.
Last night at Zaantheater: Harp on Fire, Oliver and the Adventure of the Street Children (8+)
This week
November 2026
Plan your visit to Zaantheater
How many people fit in Zaantheater?
- Albert Heijnzaal
- 879 seats
- Kleine Zaal
- 230 seats
- Whole building
- No combined figure published
- Business-hire figures
- 890 and 209
The visitor seat maps list 879 seats in the Albert Heijnzaal and 230 in the Kleine Zaal. The business-hire page gives 890 and 209 for the same two halls, so use the visitor seat map for the hall on your ticket. Zaantheater does not publish one combined capacity for the whole building.
For scale, the Melkweg's Max hall holds up to 1250 people, DeLaMar's Wim Sonneveldzaal 949 and the Stadsschouwburg's Grote Zaal 750; those figures come from each theatre's own capacity page. With 879 seats in its main hall, Zaantheater can host mid-scale productions but not the largest Amsterdam shows.
| Venue | Hall or type | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Zaantheater, Zaandam | Albert Heijnzaal | 879 |
| Zaantheater, Zaandam | Kleine Zaal | 230 |
| Melkweg, Amsterdam | The Max | 1250 |
| DeLaMar, Amsterdam | Wim Sonneveldzaal | 949 |
| Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam | Grote Zaal | 750 |
Seating plan and choosing seats
Zaantheater has two theatre halls. The visitor seat maps show 879 seats in the Albert Heijnzaal and 230 in the Kleine Zaal; the ranks and layout can differ per performance.
The Albert Heijnzaal has seats on the main floor and a balcony. The balcony is reached by stairs only, so ask the box office about a main-floor seat if stairs are a problem. The Kleine Zaal has a flat floor and a retractable stand, which gives a flexible layout for smaller productions.
You choose your own seat online when you book; the seat map shows the available places and price categories. Wheelchair spaces are on the main floor and are not sold through the normal online seat map; reserve them through the box office.
- Albert Heijnzaal: 879 seats on the main floor and balcony.
- Kleine Zaal: 230 seats, flat floor and retractable stand.
- Balcony: stairs only; wheelchair spaces are on the main floor.
- Book online to choose your own seat; the seat map shows the exact place.
- Wheelchair spaces: reserve through the Zaantheater box office.
Eating at Zaantheater: Brasserie No3
Brasserie No3 is the theatre restaurant. You can have dinner before the performance and the staff time it so you are in the hall on time. The Nagenietarrangement adds a relaxed stay after the curtain.
On Tuesday afternoons there is lunch before the performance. Restaurant reservations for the current season require a € 15 per person deposit, which is offset against the final bill. Tell the restaurant in advance about allergies or a vegan diet.
- Restaurant
- Brasserie No3
- Pre-show dinner
- Timed so you reach the hall on time
- Lunch
- Tuesday afternoon
- Deposit
- € 15 per person, offset against the bill
- After the show
- Nagenietarrangement
Tickets and booking at Zaantheater
Book online at any time and choose your own seat; the box office handles wheelchair places, returns and gift cards.
Tickets are on sale online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Choose the performance, seating area and price category, then pick your seats on the seat map. Online you can pay with iDEAL | Wero, credit card, Podium Cadeaukaart, VVV Giftcard or a Zaantheater voucher. Ticket prices on the website include cloakroom, and most performances include a drink, as stated on your ticket.
A € 2,50 administration fee applies per booking, except for Podiumpas and later bookings for dinner, lunch or arrangements. Posted tickets cost € 2,00 extra and are not sent within 7 days of the performance; choose e-tickets or collect them at the box office on the evening of the performance. If you cannot attend, you can return your tickets up to 7 days before the performance for a credit voucher. The theatre is pin-only at the box office and buffets.
The box office is open Monday to Friday 09:00–12:30 and 13:00–17:00. On evening show days it opens from 18:30 until the start; at weekends it opens one hour before the performance. Call 075 6 555 333 for the box office or 075 6 555 345 for general questions.
- Online sales
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Payment
- iDEAL, credit card, gift cards, voucher
- Booking fee
- € 2,50; posted tickets € 2,00 extra
- Returns
- Credit voucher up to 7 days before
- Box office
- 075 6 555 333
- Pin only
- Box office and buffets
Cloakroom and bag policy
Coats and larger bags must go in the cloakroom or a locker; this keeps the aisles and emergency routes clear.
Lockers are used at your own risk and must be emptied after your visit; the theatre may remove contents left behind. The cloakroom is reached by stairs only, but staff can hang up and fetch coats for visitors who need help.
- Cloakroom
- Coats and larger bags must be stored
- Lockers
- Use at your own risk; empty after visit
- Cloakroom access
- Stairs only; staff can help
- Ticket includes
- Cloakroom; most shows a drink
Accessibility at Zaantheater
Zaantheater has four wheelchair spaces in the Albert Heijnzaal, each with a companion seat directly beside or behind it, and one wheelchair space with a chair beside it in the Kleine Zaal. Reserve them through the box office on 075 6 555 333; they are not sold through the online seat map.
The lift reaches the first-floor foyer, the upper level of the Albert Heijnzaal and the upper entrance of the Kleine Zaal. The Albert Heijnzaal balcony and the cloakroom are stair-only; staff can hang up and fetch coats for visitors who need help. There is an adapted toilet on the ground floor to the left of the Albert Heijnzaal, and two disabled parking spaces in the theatre garage.
The Albert Heijnzaal uses an Auracast-based sound enhancement system; the Kleine Zaal uses its current sound enhancement system. You can borrow a receiver with headphones at the box office for a € 10 deposit. An officially trained guide dog is welcome; call ahead to discuss suitable seats.
- Wheelchair spaces
- 4 in Albert Heijnzaal, 1 in Kleine Zaal
- Companion seats
- Beside or behind each space
- Hearing support
- Auracast in Albert Heijnzaal; receiver loan
- Receiver deposit
- € 10
- Adapted toilet
- Ground floor, left of Albert Heijnzaal
- Accessible parking
- 2 spaces in the theatre garage
House rules for a visit
You cannot bring your own food or drink into the theatre, and eating or drinking in the auditorium is not allowed. Visitors under 18 may not drink alcohol; staff may ask for ID.
Photography, filming and audio recording are not allowed during performances without permission. Smoking, including electronic smoking, and drugs are prohibited throughout the building. Visitors who are clearly under the influence are refused entry, and camera surveillance is in use.
- Outside food and drink
- Not allowed
- Alcohol
- Under 18 not allowed
- Photography
- No recording without permission
- Smoking
- Prohibited throughout building
Getting to Zaantheater by train or bus
Zaandam station is the nearest train station, about 13–15 minutes on foot from the theatre. From the station, walk into the Gedempte Gracht shopping street, follow it to the end and turn right before the bridge. Cross to the Dam with the Czaar Peter statue, keep left at the statue and the theatre is on your right.
Several buses stop at Gedempte Gracht, a 4-minute walk from the theatre. Vinkenstraat and Botenmakersstraat are also within about 7 minutes on foot. Bicycle racks are opposite the theatre. After an evening show, check the last train to Amsterdam or Alkmaar in the NS app before you leave; Zaandam station is the same 13–15 minute walk.
Parking at Zaantheater: garage under the theatre and De Burcht
The easiest option is the Zaantheater garage under the theatre. It has a maximum height of 1.90 m, and you can buy an evening exit card from the porter after the show.
The Zaantheater garage charges € 3,00 per hour, € 17,50 for a day card, or € 7,00 for an evening exit card bought after the performance. De Burcht car park across the Wilhelminabrug charges € 3,70 per hour or € 7,60 for a day card; parking there is paid Monday to Sunday from 09:00 to 23:00 and is closed during the Zaandam fair in early and mid-September.
By car, you cannot reach the theatre via the Czaar Peterstraat between 12:00 and 18:00; on Thursdays the restriction lasts until 21:00. From May 2026 to the end of 2026, part of the Peperstraat and the A.F. de Savornin Lohmanstraat is closed for cars; follow the diversion from the Peperstraat via Dominee Baxstraat, Klaas Katerstraat and A.F. de Savornin Lohmanstraat. Street parking in the centre has a maximum stay of 2 hours, so it is not suitable for a full performance. If the theatre garage is full, use Q-Park Rozenhof or De Burcht; Q-Park is a two-minute walk away and Zaantheater sells no exit cards for it, so pay at the Q-Park machine.
| Car park | Location | Walk | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zaantheater garage | Nicolaasstraat 3 | 100 m, 2 min walk | € 7,00 evening exit card; € 3,00 per hour; € 17,50 day card |
| De Burcht | Wilhelminabrug | 340 m, 5 min walk | € 3,70 per hour; € 7,60 day card |
| Q-Park Rozenhof | Zilverpadsteeg 71, 1506 SB Zaandam | 100 m, 2 min walk | No Zaantheater exit card; pay at the Q-Park machine |
Contact and address
- Address
- Nicolaasstraat 3, 1506 BB Zaandam
- Box office phone
- 075 6 555 333
- General phone
- 075 6 555 345
- [email protected]
- Box office hours
- Mon-Fri 09:00-12:30 and 13:00-17:00; evenings from 18:30
About Zaantheater
Zaantheater is the theatre for Zaandam and the surrounding region, with a broad programme of cabaret, opera, dance, musicals, concerts, plays, international shows and youth performances in a modern building on the Zaan. It was designed by the Zaanse architects Paul Carree, Wim Wester and Jan Zijlstra.
The theatre opened on 11 December 1998 in the presence of Queen Beatrix. Freek de Jonge's poem 'De Zaan' is engraved in the foyer window, and Rob Cerneüs jr.'s sculpture De Poort der Verbeelding stands permanently in the upper foyer.
The building has two public theatre halls: the Albert Heijnzaal with 879 seats and the Kleine Zaal with 230 seats. Those are the visitor seat-map numbers; the business-hire page gives 890 and 209 for the same two halls. The Kleine Zaal has a flat floor and a retractable stand, which makes it flexible for smaller productions and events.
The theatre is in the centre of Zaandam at Nicolaasstraat 3, about 13–15 minutes on foot from Zaandam station and close to the Gedempte Gracht bus stops. Its own garage is under the building.
- Theatre halls
- Albert Heijnzaal and Kleine Zaal
- Address
- Nicolaasstraat 3, 1506 BB Zaandam
- Nearest station
- Zaandam, 13–15 min walk
Photos
Photo credits
The Albert Heijnzaal at Zaantheater, with rows of seats and the stage.: Zaantheater · Zaantheater website · Cropped
The Kleine Zaal (Forbo Flooringzaal) at Zaantheater, with its stage and rows of seats.: Zaantheater · Zaantheater website
The full foyer of Zaantheater with rows of chairs set out for visitors before an event.: Yasmine Hamouda / Zaantheater · Zaantheater website
Read reviews on Google Maps We don't show ratings here. See what visitors say on Google Maps.
Frequently asked questions
How many seats does Zaantheater have?
The visitor seat maps list 879 seats in the Albert Heijnzaal and 230 in the Kleine Zaal. The business-hire page gives 890 and 209 for the same two halls, so use the figures for the hall on your ticket. Zaantheater does not publish one combined capacity for the whole building.
Which hall is my performance in?
The hall is stated on your ticket. The Albert Heijnzaal is the large 879-seat theatre hall; the Kleine Zaal is the smaller 230-seat hall with a flat floor and retractable stand.
How do I choose seats at Zaantheater?
Book online on the Zaantheater website and choose your own seats from the seat map. The map shows the exact place and price category. The balcony is stair-only, and wheelchair spaces must be reserved through the box office.
What time do performances start and end?
Most evening performances start at 20:00 or 20:30 and end around 22:00–22:30; check the event page for the interval and end time. Family shows often start at 14:00 or 15:00. The exact start time is on your ticket and the event page.
Where do I park at Zaantheater?
The Zaantheater garage is under the theatre, 100 m and about 2 minutes' walk from the entrance. De Burcht car park is 340 m away, about 5 minutes on foot across the Wilhelminabrug. If the theatre garage is full, Q-Park Rozenhof at Zilverpadsteeg 71 is 100 m and about 2 minutes away; Zaantheater sells no exit cards for it, so pay at the Q-Park machine.
How much does parking cost at Zaantheater?
The Zaantheater garage costs € 3,00 per hour, € 17,50 for a day card or € 7,00 for an evening exit card bought after the show. De Burcht costs € 3,70 per hour or € 7,60 for a day card. Zaantheater sells no exit cards for Q-Park Rozenhof, so pay at the Q-Park machine.
How do I get to Zaantheater by train?
Zaandam station is the nearest station, about 920 m or 13–15 minutes on foot. Walk into the Gedempte Gracht shopping street, follow it to the end and turn right before the bridge; at the Czaar Peter statue on the Dam, keep left and the theatre is on your right.
Which bus stops near Zaantheater?
Gedempte Gracht is the closest stop, 230 m or about 4 minutes on foot. Vinkenstraat is about 7 minutes away and is served by several city bus lines; Botenmakersstraat is also about 7 minutes away.
Can I bring a bag or coat?
Coats and larger bags must be stored in the cloakroom or a locker. Ticket prices on the website include cloakroom, and most performances include a drink, but the ticket states what is included. The cloakroom is stair-only; staff can hang up and fetch coats for visitors who need help.
Can I eat at Zaantheater before the show?
Brasserie No3 serves dinner before performances and times it so you reach the hall on time. On Tuesday afternoons there is lunch before the performance, and the Nagenietarrangement adds a stay after the show. In the current season, restaurant reservations require a € 15 per person deposit, offset against the final bill.
Is Zaantheater accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes. There are four wheelchair spaces with companion seats in the Albert Heijnzaal and one in the Kleine Zaal, all reserved through the box office on 075 6 555 333. A lift reaches the first-floor foyer, the upper level of the Albert Heijnzaal and the upper entrance of the Kleine Zaal; there is an adapted toilet on the ground floor and the theatre garage has two disabled parking spaces.
Can I take photos during a performance?
No. Photography, filming and audio recording are not allowed during performances without permission.
What is the address of Zaantheater?
Zaantheater is at Nicolaasstraat 3, 1506 BB Zaandam, in the centre beside the Zaan. The box office is open Monday to Friday 09:00–12:30 and 13:00–17:00; on evening show days it opens from 18:30 until the start, and at weekends one hour before the performance. Call 075 6 555 333.
Can I return my tickets?
You can return your tickets up to 7 days before the performance and receive a credit voucher; reselling tickets is not allowed.
Are there performances for children?
Yes. The programme includes youth and family shows, and the event page gives an age where the production supplies one. Check the age and running time on the event page before booking.
Can I pay by card at Zaantheater?
The theatre is pin-only at the box office and buffets, so bring a debit card for on-site payments. Online you can pay with iDEAL | Wero, credit card, Podium Cadeaukaart, VVV Giftcard or a Zaantheater voucher.
Sources: Zaantheater about the theatre (October 30, 2026) · Zaantheater hall plans (October 30, 2026) · Zaantheater parking and current Peperstraat diversion (October 30, 2026) · Zaantheater food and drink (October 30, 2026) · Zaantheater ticket information (October 30, 2026) · Zaantheater house rules (October 30, 2026) · Zaantheater special facilities (October 30, 2026) · Zaantheater contact (October 30, 2026) · Zaantheater visitor information (October 30, 2026)
