9 x the most fun events in Leiden this spring

April 9, 2023

The camping season has started and the first rays of sunshine are back: the outdoor life in Leiden can begin. There are many fun things to do in the bustling city this spring. We’ve listed them for you below.

1.) Singelpark city walk (with guide)

Do you enjoy walking and would you like to discover Leiden in a fun way? then this is a super fun 5 kilometers walk that you should definitely not miss! The historic center of Leiden is surrounded by – the walk says it all – a ‘singel’ (aka canal), along which a beautiful walking path runs. During the route you will pass through beautiful old parks, you will see the beautiful architecture of Leiden all around you and there are plenty of nice places to make a stopover and have something to eat or drink. To stay on track, follow colored metal animals (like the goose below) or trees along the route. A map of this route can be found in our reception.

Extra fun! On Sunday, April 9th (2:00 pm – 4:00 pm) there is a special guided walk. Everything will be told about the history and development of Leiden. The guide asks for a contribution of €5 per person. You can register via singelparkgids@gmail.com. View their website for more information & or more dates for guided walks.

2.) Yoga and meditation at ‘De Tuin van de Smid‘ in Polderpark Cronesteijn

Polderpark Cronesteijn is a 15-minute bike ride from the campsite – near the center of Leiden. A green oasis with a hotspot: ‘De Tuin van de Smid’ (translated as: the Garden of the Blacksmith). Delicious food and drinks (100% vegetarian), building huts (for the kids) or playing in the cool outdoor playground with a view of the farm animals.

From April 16, you can do yoga and meditation here every Sunday morning from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. Costs are €12.50 and you can register via: dhanuryogaleiden@gmail.com. The yoga mats are ready! :-)

3.) Carbootsale at ‘Brasserie Buitenhuis

On every first Saturday of the month, a great car boot sale takes place in the parking lot on the edge of the Valkenburg lake (on the other side of Leiden from the campsite). A wonderful free flea market from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm to stroll over and then, for example, to end with a nice coffee or lunch at the nice Brasserie Buitenhuis. A restaurant with a beach bar feel made from greenhouses.

The flea market can be visited this spring and summer on the following Saturdays:
6 May, June 2nd, July 1st. August 5 and September 2nd

4.) Spring Beer Walk

Do you like a nice spring beer? but also a little balance in life? in other words: walking off the beer calories again ;-) then this spring beer walk on Sunday 23 April (2:30 pm – 6:30 pm) is just the thing for you!

Fresh spring beers from small breweries from the Netherlands are served in 12 cafés in Leiden. Participation costs €36.50 per person. For this you will receive a unique beer glass, a route description along the twelve participating cafes, a stamp card, a nice gift and 6 beer vouchers. A suitable snack is served with every beer. More info? check here.

5.) Market on King’s Day

On Saturday 27 April we celebrate the birthday of our king and there is plenty to do in Leiden. You can roam the city looking for beautiful second-hand treasures on rugs in front of the doors. The flea market is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those who still feel like a festive closing can, for example, continue to Koning Tribute: a festival on the Garenmarkt with a Queen, Abba or Doe Maar cover band on the program.

6.) Leiden courtyards festival

Enjoy different types of live music in an intimate setting on Monday 29 May (during the Pentecost weekend) in 

the most atmospheric courtyards during ‘Leidse hofjes Festival’. Two other special locations for the festival will be the Pieterskerk and the old Town Hall. Think of string quartets, classical and jazz.

Entrance is based on ‘pay-what-you-can’. It is necessary to book though because there are only a certain number of tickets available.

7.) Museum Night Leiden

How nice to go to a museum in the evening? on Saturday evening 3 June it is possible during – already the 15th edition of – the Museum Night in Leiden!

Participating museums include Corpus, Museum Volkenkunde, Rijksmuseum Boerhaave, National Museum of Antiquities, Museum de Lakenhal, Observatory, Hortus Botanicus, Japanmuseum Sieboldheus and Molenmuseum de Valk.

A very nice program has been put together full of experiments, lectures, performances, and workshops. View the full program here.

8.) Speedo swim in Leiden

On Sunday 11 June, the ‘Maresingel’ will be transformed into one large open-air (competition) swimming pool. That’s one that you can cross off the to-do list: swimming in a canal! But of course also very nice to watch competitive and recreational swimmers who cover different distances through the canal. Participate? You can register here.

 

9.) Midsummer Night in Hortus Botanicus

At the transition from spring to summer, the Midsummer Night takes place in the Hortus Botanicus on the longest day of the year (June 21). This evening you can enjoy various performances, music, art, science and flowers that will smell wonderful in the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands. There are also various drink and food trucks. Recommended!

The evening lasts from 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm. Look here for tickets.

Staying overnight?

Our campsite is located right next to a lake in Recreation Area Vlietland, 15 minutes by bike from the center of Leiden. A perfect base if you want to visit one of these fun events. We have several camping and RV spots. And for those who do not have their own camping equipment or don’t fancy to set up a tent, we have very nice newly renovated Trekkershuts. View availability here.

There is also plenty to do at the lake. For example, there is an island on the water where you can climb different courses high between the trees, there is a boat rental where you can rent sloops, motor boats, pedal boats and canoes, among other things, one of the largest aqua parks in the world (open from May 17) and restaurant overlooking the water.

the campsite is also within cycling distance of Voorschoten, Wassenaar, Katwijk, Noordwijk, Delft and The Hague. You don’t have to be bored for a moment with us because there is so much to do in the area!

More tips for the best activities in Leiden and the surrounding area?

View our personal recommendations on the map of the Leiden area.