Calendar
The year on Vlieland
We welcome you all year round. This overview links the seasons to events, holiday periods and activities; the organisers publish their current programmes.
Sources: VVV Vlieland and school holidays per school year and region (in Dutch).
January – March
Winter on the island
The whole island
Vlieland is open all year. In winter there are walks along the sea and through the woods, alongside shops, cafés, restaurants and accommodation. Opening hours vary per provider.
Photo: alenka1973 via Flickr, CC BY 2.0
March – April
Spring begins
Dorpsstraat, Oost-Vlieland
The days grow longer and fresh green appears in the woods and dunes. Spring is a time for walks, bike rides and a visit to the village, outside the holiday periods too.
Breeding season
Breeding season in Kroon's Polders and the salt marshes
Kroon's Polders and the salt marshes
During the breeding season, parts of the nature areas are closed. The access rules are posted at the entrances. There is plenty to see from the surrounding paths and with a guide.
Photo: JakobHosp via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
April
Vuurtorenloop and King's Day
Village and dunes
The Vuurtorenloop is held in spring; the confirmed date is on our events page. King's Day usually falls on 27 April. The local programme is announced separately.
Dates and registration
May
May holiday, Ascension and Whitsun
The whole island
The May holiday and the weekends around Ascension and Whitsun are times for a stay on the island. Holiday dates vary per year; ferry tickets and accommodation show their own availability.
July – August
Summer holidays
Village, harbour and beach
The summer holidays vary per region and school year. On Vlieland there are beach days, bike rides, walks and activities run by local businesses. The Halve Marathon is held in August; the date and programme are published by the organiser.
See the Halve Marathon
September
Into The Great Wide Open and the Amusetour
Woods, beach and the restaurants
Into The Great Wide Open brings music, film and art to the island. During the Amusetour, participants visit several restaurants. Confirmed dates, programmes and tickets are published by the organisers.
Dates and tickets
Photo: Into The Great Wide Open
September – November
Migrating birds on the mudflats
Mudflats, Vliehors and the polders
During the autumn migration, birds use the Wadden Sea as a stopover to feed and rest. At Dodeman’s Bol there is a bird hide overlooking the wading birds.
Photo: Wouter van der Ham via Waarneming.nl, CC BY 3.0
October
Autumn half-term
The whole island
The autumn holiday is a time for beach, woods and village. Vlieland stays open afterwards too. School holiday dates follow the overview per region; current opening hours are published by the providers.
November
Stappen door November
The whole island
November is all about Stappen door November. The VVV brings together walks, excursions, routes and accommodation packages. The programme may change per edition; the VVV publishes the current offer.
Programme at VVV Vlieland (in Dutch)
December
Christmas holidays and New Year's Eve
Village and beach
Around Christmas and New Year's Eve we welcome guests too. There are options for a winter stay, dinner in the village and walks. Opening hours and any holiday programmes are published by the providers.
Groups and companies
Coming to Vlieland together, all year round
Spring and autumn offer good opportunities for a group trip or company outing. Groups are welcome in other months too. Bureau Vlieland organises transport, accommodation, activities and meals in one programme, tailored to the group and availability.
Plan a group trip with Bureau Vlieland
Exact dates and school holidays vary per year. Event dates are on the events page. Planning to come in a busy period? It helps to book your ferry and accommodation first.