Are you attending?
Event Details
Welcome to the Bokkenfestival 2026 in the Netherlands
As the days grow shorter in October, bock beer season begins across the Netherlands. Cafés and breweries throughout the country tap the year's new bock beer, often paired with small celebrations, live music and autumn inspired menus. The official kickoff is traditionally the Nationale Bokbierdag, held in the historic old town of Zutphen.
Highlights and Attractions at the Bokkenfestival in the Netherlands
- Nationwide celebrations in countless bars pouring the year's new bock beer
- The Nationale Bokbierdag on October 11 in Zutphen, with bock beer markets spread across several squares in the city centre
- A festive, nostalgic parade through the centre of Zutphen
- Live music and DJ sets on multiple stages and squares
- Regional bock beer festivals in Roosendaal, Utrecht, Zeist and Medemblik held throughout the month
- A wide selection of bock beer styles, from traditional recipes to barrel aged specials
- A cosy autumn atmosphere set against canals, market squares and glowing string lights
Find Accommodation in Zutphen
Compare the best hotel prices for this event and secure your accommodation in time.
Free cancellation on most hotels
Program and Schedule: What to Expect in October 2026
The Bokkenfestival is not a single event but a season long tradition running through October. It opens on Sunday, October 11, 2026, with the Nationale Bokbierdag in Zutphen, where numerous breweries present their new bock beer. In the weeks that follow, several towns hold their own bock beer festivals, including Roosendaal on October 3, Utrecht from October 16 to 18, and Zeist from October 23 to 25. Alongside these organized festivals, countless local bars across the country pour their own bock beer with no fixed program at all.
Tickets and Admission for the Bokkenfestival
Visiting participating bars and attending the Nationale Bokbierdag itself is free, with guests simply paying for each beer at the bar. Individually organized city festivals, such as the Bockbier Festival in Utrecht or the PINT Bockbierfestival in Amsterdam, require their own admission ticket, with prices varying by event and available through each organizer's website.
Visitor Tips: Travel and Accommodation in the Netherlands
- For the Nationale Bokbierdag in Zutphen, traveling by train is recommended since the city centre gets very busy
- Visitors hoping to catch several towns should plan a route around the different festival dates in October
- Warm clothing and an umbrella are essential for a Dutch October
- In popular towns like Utrecht or Zutphen, booking accommodation early for festival weekends is advisable
- For ticketed city festivals, buying online in advance is recommended since popular dates can sell out
Note: The information on this page was researched at the time of writing and may have changed since then (e.g. date, venue, or program). Visit the organizer's official website →
The photo used is illustrative and does not necessarily depict the actual event.
