Events in Schiedam, what is on throughout the year

In Schiedam the autumn revolves around Sinterklaas, the free Suikerzoet Filmfestival from 18 to 22 November 2026 and Kerst in S'DAM on Saturday 12 December 2026346. In May come National Mill Day and a series of jenever festivals1012. The full calendar is kept by S'DAM, the events listing of Stichting Schiedam Partners1.

View over the Lange Haven in Schiedam with canal houses, parked cars and trees in autumn colours.
Photo: Prolete, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Schiedam: staying the night? Check available hotels.

Affiliate link to Expedia: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Book now →

Calendar

In short, in November you go to the films, in December to the Christmas market and in May to the windmills and the jenever.

What is on in Schiedam in November?

On Saturday 14 November 2026 Sinterklaas sails up the Lange Haven on the Pakjesboot (present boat) and moors at the Havenkerk23. The procession then moves via the Hoogstraat and the Broersveld to the Stadserf, where the party already starts at 13.303. This year Sinterklaas does not arrive on the Maasboulevard, S'DAM reports3. From 15 November he welcomes children on ten afternoons in the Sinterklaas Pakhuis on the Kloosterplaats1.

From Wednesday 18 to Sunday 22 November 2026 it is the Suikerzoet Filmfestival, the twentieth edition, with free films at venues such as the Grote Kerk, the Stedelijk Museum and the Havenkerk45. On Wednesday there is a children's film festival4.

Wide canal of the Lange Haven with a rigged sailing ship, stepped gables on the right and a drawbridge in the distance, under a clear blue sky.
Photo: GraphyArchy, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

What is on in Schiedam in December?

On Saturday 12 December 2026 the city centre is given over to Kerst in S'DAM6. There are Christmas markets on the Hoogstraat and the Koemarkt, a Makersmarkt in the Havenkerk and the Dickens Festijn around the Vismarkt, the Lange Haven, the Oude Sluis and the Dam67. At 17.00 Kaarsjesavond (candle night) starts on the Grote Markt, where the mayor and Father Christmas switch on the lights of the big Christmas tree8.

A few days later, from Thursday 17 to Saturday 19 December 2026, the Julianapark is the setting for the light art festival Winterlicht, each evening9. In the Grote of Sint-Janskerk, Kerstzang bij Kaarslicht (carols by candlelight) is on the programme on 13 December16.

Which exhibitions are on this winter?

At the Nationaal Jenevermuseum, Sluit Schiedam!! runs until 21 March 2027, about the fight against alcohol abuse between 1890 and 194014. The Stedelijk Museum shows Broodnodig until 14 March 2027 and, from 14 November 2026, Armando radicaal, which runs until 17 May 2027151. More on the page museums and art.

What is on in Schiedam in spring?

May is the busiest month for anyone who loves windmills and jenever. From April to June Schiedam is all about the Dutch Distillers District, according to S'DAM, with festivals, tastings and open companies12.

  1. National Mill Day, Saturday 8 May 2027, with free entry to the windmills1011.
  2. Jeneverfestival, Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 May 2027 in the Havenkerk1.
  3. Bedrijvenfestival Gedistilleerd, Friday 21 and Saturday 22 May 2027, for ages 18 and over1.
  4. IDDF in Concert, 28 and 29 May 2027 at the Nolet Loodsen on the Buitenhavenweg, for ages 18 and over13.

The last three dates appear only in the S'DAM events listing; the organisers have not yet published them themselves. What there is to do at the windmills is covered under the windmills of Schiedam.

What is on in summer and autumn?

There are no fixed dates for 2027 yet, but there are recurring moments. During Heritage Day (Open Monumentendag), on the second weekend of September, many windmills and monuments open free of charge11. Celebrating the town's jenever past there are the Brandersfeesten, which at an earlier edition offered free entry to the Jenever Museum and Museummolen De Walvisch17. No date for 2027 has been published.

Frequently asked questions

When is Christmas in Schiedam in 2026?

Kerst in S'DAM is on Saturday 12 December 2026. That day there are Christmas markets on the Hoogstraat and the Koemarkt, a Makersmarkt in the Havenkerk and the Dickens Festijn in the historic city centre. At 17.00 Kaarsjesavond starts on the Grote Markt, where the big Christmas tree is lit. Entry is free.

When does Sinterklaas arrive in Schiedam?

Sinterklaas arrives in Schiedam on Saturday 14 November 2026. He sails on the Pakjesboot along the Lange Haven and moors at the Havenkerk. The procession then moves via the Hoogstraat and Broersveld to the Stadserf, where the party starts at 13.30. This year he does not arrive on the Maasboulevard.

Is the Suikerzoet Filmfestival free?

Yes. The Suikerzoet Filmfestival in Schiedam is free to attend. The twentieth edition runs from Wednesday 18 to Sunday 22 November 2026, with films at venues in the city centre and the neighbourhoods, including the Grote of Sint-Janskerk, the Stedelijk Museum and the Havenkerk. On Wednesday there is a children's film festival.

Where can you find what is on in Schiedam this week?

The full, up-to-date calendar is at S'DAM, the events listing of Stichting Schiedam Partners. There you find concerts, theatre, gallery exhibitions and activities for children. You can also go to the I-Punt in the Waag at Lange Kerkstraat 39 for tips and tickets.

Sources

  1. S'DAM, Uitagenda Schiedam, accessed 12-11-2026: www.sdam.nl/uitagenda
  2. Sint Stad Schiedam, accessed 12-11-2026: sintstadschiedam.nl
  3. S'DAM Uitagenda, Sinterklaasintocht Schiedam 2026, accessed 12-11-2026: www.sdam.nl/uitagenda/event/sinterklaas-intocht-2026
  4. S'DAM Uitagenda, Suikerzoet Filmfestival 2026, accessed 12-11-2026: www.sdam.nl/uitagenda/event/suikerzoet-filmfestival-2026
  5. Rodi Media Schiedam, 5 november 2026 (secondary), accessed 12-11-2026: www.rodi.nl/schiedam/nieuws/122958/suikerzoet-filmfestival-schiedam-al-20-jaar-de-mooiste-verhalen
  6. S'DAM Uitagenda, Kerst in S'DAM, accessed 12-11-2026: www.sdam.nl/uitagenda/event/kerst-in-sdam
  7. Stichting Triple C, Dickens Festijn, accessed 12-11-2026: stichtingtriplec.nl/dickens-festijn
  8. S'DAM Uitagenda, Kaarsjesavond Schiedam, accessed 12-11-2026: www.sdam.nl/uitagenda/event/kaarsjesavond-schiedam
  9. Winterlicht Lichtkunstfestival, accessed 12-11-2026: www.winterlicht.nl
  10. S'DAM Uitagenda, Nationale Molendag Schiedam 2027, accessed 12-11-2026: www.sdam.nl/uitagenda/event/nationale-molendag-schiedam-2027
  11. Stichting De Schiedamse Molens, F.A.Q., accessed 12-11-2026: www.deschiedamsemolens.nl/f-a-q
  12. S'DAM, Jenever in Schiedam, Dutch Distillers District, accessed 12-11-2026: www.sdam.nl/jenever-schiedam-dutch-distillers-district
  13. S'DAM Uitagenda, IDDF in Concert 2027, accessed 12-11-2026: www.sdam.nl/uitagenda/event/iddf-in-concert2027
  14. Nationaal Jenevermuseum Schiedam, Agenda en activiteiten, accessed 12-11-2026: jenevermuseum.nl/agenda-en-activiteiten
  15. Stedelijk Museum Schiedam, Home, accessed 12-11-2026: stedelijkmuseumschiedam.nl
  16. Stichting Grote- of Sint Janskerk Schiedam, Agenda, accessed 12-11-2026: groteofsintjanskerkschiedam.nl
  17. Nationaal Jenevermuseum Schiedam, Brandersfeesten, accessed 12-11-2026: jenevermuseum.nl/portfolio/brandersfeesten

Last updated: