Best Events & Activities in August
Opening up Royal Stables
Wednesdays – Fridays till August 24
Royal Stables
Noordeinde Palace is one of the three palaces that the State has made available to the Head of State and functions as a work palace for the King. Every day this is the working environment for the employees of the Royal House Service and guests from the Netherlands and abroad are received. The adjoining stable department, which is part of the palace complex, coordinates and takes care of the transport movements of the members of the Royal House and, in addition to the traditional horses and carriages, houses the fleet of the Royal House.
World Championship Sand Sculpting 2018
June – August 19
Lange Voorhout
The creation of the sculptures by the artists will take place from Monday, June 4 until Tuesday, June 12. During this period, the public can watch the artists at work from 9 am to 5 pm. The competition will be officially closed on Tuesday 12 June at 2 pm. Judging will then follow and at 17.00 pm the new world champion will be announced. The sand artworks can then be viewed free of charge until 19 August 2018.
The Hague by Royal Carriage
Every Saturday, 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Inner Court – Hall of Knights
Get to see The Hague the way the King sees it. Feel the atmosphere and ambiance of days gone by in an original carriage. Each horse driven carriage has its own experienced coachman and footman both dressed in style, who will tell you all bout the King’s city of Residence. The trip goes part past the stately Lange Voorhout, Noordeinde Palace and the Denneweg with its antique shops and busy cafes, amongst other things.
Historical City Walking Tour
Every Thursday, 1:30 PM
VVV Tourist Information Office The Hague
Every Thursday, in June, July and August, you can join this English spoken walking tour. At the Hofvijver is the Courtrea and the ancient village Die Haghe. Walk along the Binnenhof, where the counts had their homes. The guide leads you through the narrow streets of the old village with the medieval Big(Grote) Church at the Centre and the chic Voorhout with its city palaces. Let yourself be surprised by the stories about the beautiful city centre of the Hague!
The walking tour starts at the Tourist Office The Hague at 1.30 PM, every Thursday in the period June until August.
Milan Summer Festival
Friday 3-5 August, 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Zuiderpark
From 3 to 5 August, one of the largest multicultural open-air festivals in Europe on the fields of the Zuiderpark will open up: Milan Summer Festival. The cross-border festival bridges the gap between the atmospheric cultures of our country, from Dutch to Hindustani, from Caribbean to Indian. The event has been taking place in The Hague for three decades and every year it surprises with a program that responds to trends in the culinary world, music, dance, art, sports and healthcare. There is an international cooking contest, an up-to-date music line-up, program for the little ones and space for sports and games. The festival ends with a thunderous fireworks show.
Roofvogelshow Dutch Raptors
Sunday 5 August, 11:00 AM
Zuiderparktheatre
An introduction to the rulers of the airspace? Can you see them flying? Let yourself be surprised during an unforgettable demonstration by the spectacular free flights of the birds of the Dutch Raptors. During this bird of prey demonstration you are not only a spectator, but you also have the chance to actually become part of the demonstration if you wish.
International Fireworks Festival Scheveningen
Friday 10-11 August, 9:45 PM – 11:00 PM
Scheveningen Beach Resort
The annual International Fireworks Festival in Scheveningen (‘Internationaal Vuurwerkfestival Scheveningen’) offers two crackling shows of fireworks per evening. Teams from several countries brandish the most vivid kaleidescopic creations of colour and light with the accompanying ear splitting sound in an effort to outdo each other and take home the Fireworks Trophy Scheveningen.
Let off from a pontoon at sea, the sky above Scheveningen will be lighted up by a fairly-like spectacle, to be fully viewed from the boulevard, sidewalk restaurants and beach. The event attracts up to 100,000 visitors, so do come early if you don’t want to miss anything from the fireworks shows. There will be changed traffic conditions around Scheveningen on these evenings.
Friday, August 10
21:45: Japan
22:30: Austria
Saturday, August 11:
21:45: Belgium
22:30: England
Friday, August 17
21:45: The Netherlands
22:30: Germany
Saturday, August 18
21:45: China
22:30: Spain
Holland Historic Festijn
Saturday 11-12 August, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The Hague city centre
Experience the history of the Netherlands during the Hollands Historisch Festijn, which will be held at the Binnenhof, the seat of government; along the Hofvijver; and in the Paleistuin, the palace gardens. The history of Holland will come to life at the Binnenhof – from the Count of Holland in the 13th century to the Royal Family past and present. The event is suitable for all ages and the locations are free to visit. Pick up a map and information from the Binnenhof, Hofvijver or Paleistuin on the day itself. Children can collect signatures to get a free extra scoop of ice-cream.
Promenade Food Festivals
Thursday 16 August, 6:00 PM
Crowne Plaza Den Haag – Promenade
Every month the Crowne Plaza Den Haag organizes a Food Festival in cooperation with an Embassy. Enjoy the International flavours by Crowne Plaza Den Haag – Promenade for only €37.50 per person.
International Fireworks Festival Scheveningen
Friday 17-18 August, 9:45 PM – 11:00 PM
Scheveningen Beach Resort
The annual International Fireworks Festival in Scheveningen (‘Internationaal Vuurwerkfestival Scheveningen’) offers two crackling shows of fireworks per evening. Teams from several countries brandish the most vivid kaleidescopic creations of colour and light with the accompanying ear splitting sound in an effort to outdo each other and take home the Fireworks Trophy Scheveningen.
Let off from a pontoon at sea, the sky above Scheveningen will be lighted up by a fairly-like spectacle, to be fully viewed from the boulevard, sidewalk restaurants and beach. The event attracts up to 100,000 visitors, so do come early if you don’t want to miss anything from the fireworks shows. There will be changed traffic conditions around Scheveningen on these evenings.
Friday, August 10
21:45: Japan
22:30: Austria
Saturday, August 11
21:45: Belgium
22:30: England
Friday, August 17
21:45: The Netherlands
22:30: Germany
Saturday, August 18
21:45: China
22:30: Spain
Historic Festival Scheveningen
Saturday 18 August, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Keizerstraat
During the Historic Festival Scheveningen (‘Historisch Festival Scheveningen’) the Keizerstraat and other streets in the old village of Scheveningen will serve as a gigantic outdoor theatre. The event will take you back in time from the 18th century up to 1980. Various activities are planned in the festival area such as tableaux vivants (living pictures), where actors demonstrate old crafts or recall an historic tale of yesteryear. Volunteers will parade around the festival area in traditional and historical clothing, including period costumes, a Charleston dress or bell-bottom jeans.
Den Haag Outdoor
Saturday 18 August, 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Zuiderpark
Danceevent in the Zuiderpark in The Hague. 4 area’s: Techno, Techhouse, Deephouse, House, Latinhouse, Afrohouse, Eclectic.
Salt Market @ Boulevard Scheveningen
Sunday 19 August, 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Scheveningen Beach Resort
Tour Haagse Markt
Wednesday 22 August, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
The Hague Market
Festival Jazz in the Canal
Thursday 23 August, 2:00 PM – 11:00 PM
The Hague city centre
The festival Jazz in de Gracht (literally Jazz in the Canal) is held annually in the picturesque canals of the city of The Hague and is an experience that few countries offer. This free event creates a unique atmosphere and is a way to truly enjoy this beautiful city and all the talent that is hidden within. The artists will pass by the canal quaysides in The Hague on characteristic, flat bottom boats. As soon as a boat leaves from a stop, another one comes along to fill its spot. The canals will be swinging to jazz and other like-minded music.
Wild Rooster Festival
Friday 24 August, 3:00 PM
Grote Markt
The Grote Markt in the city centre of The Hague will again be one big ‘burning ring of fire’ with the Wild Rooster Festival. With a great line-up of music and the best barbecue food, this grilling party has become a big-sized festival. Make sure to poke a few extra holes in your belt because this year you will want to feast on juicy burgers, sausages and extra large beef ribs from the smoker, with iced-cold beer, delicious potatoes, corn on the cob and more.
Schollenpop Beach Festival
Saturday 25 August, 1:00 PM – 11:15 PM
South Beach The Hague
Schollenpop is a free pop festival on the South Beach (Zuiderstrand) at Scheveningen. This pop event is synonymous with sun, sea, sand and lots of live music of course. An awesome pop and rock music programme with something for everyone; guaranteed to be a great day out in Scheveningen. Schollenpop takes place on the South Beach parallel to the pier. Be sure to take your swimming trunks or bikini so you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the sea!
Multicultural Womenfestival
Sunday 26 August, 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Zuiderparktheatre
What role do immigrant women play in the music world of The Hague? Are they taken seriously and have they managed to conquer an equal position next to the men on the musical stage, or not? These are questions that are central to the Multicultural Women’s Festival. The festival is organized for the second time in a row by Stichting Dosti, a Hindu cultural organization from The Hague that wants to build bridges between different social groups in the city. Musicians from The Hague and surroundings will participate in the festival. The women are accompanied, where necessary, by the Avishkar music group. The group has been a household name at home and abroad for 25 years and accompanied many well-known Indian artists.
Great Church Open Days
Tuesday 28 August, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Big Church
The Great Church (‘Grote Kerk’) in The Hague is open to the public. As one of the oldest buildings in The Hague – a wooden church is reputed to have stood here as early as the 13th century – the open days are an excellent opportunity to admire the inside of the Great Church at your leisure. The interior of the church includes many monuments, such as the 15th-century coats of arms in the church hall and the impressive mausoleum of admiral Jacob van Wassenaer Obdam. During the open days, volunteers are present to explain more about the history, and there is also an audio tour that leads you past the sights of the Great Church.
HM the King receives ambassadors’ letters of credence
Wednesday 29 August, 9:25 AM
Palace Noordeinde
On Wednesday mornings, HM King Willem-Alexander regularly receives new ambassadors who come to present their letters of credence at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague. The audience includes a ceremony that can be followed from the Palacegarden. The new ambassador arrives by state coach early in the morning, escorted by horsemen from the Royal Netherlands Mounted Police. A guard of honour and military band are stationed at Noordeinde Palace. After an honorary salute of four drumrolls, the national anthem of the ambassador’s country is played, followed by an inspection of the guard. Inside, the King awaits the new ambassador. Outside the palace, you can watch the arrival of the coach, listen to the national anthem being played and follow the inspection of the guard – always a special moment in the royal city of The Hague.
Oh Oh INTRO
Thursday 30 August, 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Lange Voorhout
The OH OH INTRO festival is the introduction week of the Hague. By visiting the festival you get to know the city. Furthermore you are able to meet the nightlife the Hague has to offer.
Embassy Festival
Friday 31 August, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Lange Voorhout
Embassy Festival is an international event spotlighting the many different cultures that reside in The Hague. Festival goers can soak up a truly innovative and transnational one-day programme presenting music, activities, art, theatre, culinary delights, debates and readings on The Hague’s Lange Voorhout. The free Embassy Festival promises to surprise and appeal to all senses.
UIT Festival Den Haag
Friday 31 August, 7:30 PM
The Hague city centre
During The Hague’s UIT Festival on september 2nd 2018, the Lange Voorhout and the Spuiplein are the cultural hot spots with lots of open air stages, a whole range of music, dance, cabaret, drama, surprising street theatre, amateur art and a market full of information about the coming cultural season, as well as discounted tickets. Theatres and other cultural organizations open their doors for guided tours and a free taste of the performances and concerts that will be coming up in the next theatre season. Watch, listen and have a sample: there is always a lot to experience during The Hague UIT Festival!
Still think this isn’t enough? Then check out https://denhaag.com/en for even more!
