Dordrecht is lively all year round, but a few events turn the whole city centre upside down. Here you will find the biggest crowd-pullers. For everything else that is going on, see our events calendar.
Big Rivers
Three days of free music on ten stages in the city centre. From blues and rock to funk and pop.
Dordt in Stoom
Europe’s largest steam event: steamships, steam trains, vintage cars and shanty choirs along the quays.
Frikandellentocht
The frikandel comes from Dordt, so where better to celebrate it? On the Frikandellentocht (frikandel walk) you walk through Dordrecht and its historic centre, with three frikandellen along the way (or a croquette or cheese soufflé) and a medal at the finish. There are routes of 12 and 7.5 km and a short 5 km route, which in December also comes as an illuminated evening edition. The walk started as a joke in 2021 and has been held several times a year since 2022.
Dordts Wintercircus Royal
Every Christmas holiday, a big top goes up on the Laan van Europa. The Dordts Wintercircus Royal (Dordt Winter Circus) presents an international show for the whole family, with aerial acrobatics, jugglers, contortionists, strongmen and comedy. A show lasts about 2.5 hours. This winter the circus runs from 18 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Staying the night? See our overview of places to stay in Dordrecht and book early, because it fills up fast during big events.