The year in Zwolle

Nov 2026 – Aug 2027 · 9 moments

The big moments of the year in Zwolle: Sinterklaas arrives, Winters Zwolle, CIRCOVATION Wintercircus and more, with their dates.

November2026
14Nov

Sinterklaas arrives

Saturday 14 November 2026

Sinterklaas arrives with his parcel boat at the Rodetorenplein on Saturday 14 November 2026. The programme is provisional: it starts at 13:15, Sinterklaas arrives at 13:45 and the parade leaves at 14:45.

December2026
7Dec

Winters Zwolle

7 December 2026 – 3 January 2027

The city's winter programme: light sculptures on the squares, along the canals and at the Sassenpoort, the festival WinterWarmte on the Grote Kerkplein, which includes the Zwolse Kerstmarkt, the children's festival Wondersteboven and the Chocolate Walk.

16Dec

CIRCOVATION Wintercircus

16 December 2026 – 3 January 2027

A circus tent on the Rodetorenplein with international acts, live music and comedy.

31Dec

New Year's Eve fireworks

New Year's Eve 2026, time to be announced

The municipality again puts on a central fireworks show in Park de Wezenlanden at the turn of the year, watched from the event area by the provincial government building. Consumer fireworks are banned; the start time is not announced yet.

February2027
Febusually

Carnival (Sassendonk)

Friday 5 – Tuesday 9 February 2027 on the municipality's calendar; the programme is not out yet

Zwolle celebrates carnival as Sassendonk, with a carnival tent on the Grote Kerkplein. In 2026 it ran from Friday 13 to Tuesday 17 February in the centre.

April2027
27Apr

King's Day

Tuesday 27 April 2027

King's Day: Zwolle has no central free market, so the party is spread over blanket markets and stages in the centre and the neighbourhoods, with King's Night the evening before.

May2027
5May

Bevrijdingsfestival Overijssel

Wednesday 5 May 2027

Liberation Day on 5 May: the free Bevrijdingsfestival Overijssel on many stages in Park de Wezenlanden, and the Dance4Liberation party at the Wijthmenerplas.

July2027
Julusually

Blauwvingerdagen

Four Wednesdays in July (2026: 8, 15, 22 and 29 July); the municipality lists 7, 14, 21 and 28 July 2027

The city's street market on Wednesdays in July, with stalls of vintage, books and vinyl across the centre, plus music, art and activities for children.

August2027
Augusually

Straatfestival

Late August (2026: 21 – 23 August); 2027 is not announced yet

A weekend of music on many stages across the centre, organised by Zwolle's bars and restaurants and running late into the night.