
Annual Fair and Carnival in Alphen aan den Rijn 2026
Family-friendly annual fair and carnival with rides, games and food at C.P. Mulderveld.
58 events for the next 18 months

Family-friendly annual fair and carnival with rides, games and food at C.P. Mulderveld.

Casual conversation café where you can practice your Italian with others. Ideal for anyone wanting to maintain and improve their language skills.

Eddie Solomon performs at the Alphense Jaarmarkt in Alphen aan den Rijn.

Opening of the exhibition 'Aunt Teuntje around the corner', showcasing stories of volunteer support parents who help families through challenging times.

Exhibition featuring stories of volunteer support parents who assist families in their community. Discover the impact of informal neighborhood networks.

Learn the fundamentals of laser cutting and create your own designs in this hands-on workshop for beginners.

A welcoming drop-in session at the library where parents with young children can play together and connect with other families.

Join real archaeological research at the library's ArcheoLab. Examine Roman finds alongside an archaeologist and fellow enthusiasts.

The library presents an exhibition about banned and censored books worldwide, exploring the importance of free speech and unrestricted access to stories.

Marjoleine Molenaar discusses banned books, from Anne Frank to Where's Wally?, and how to engage in meaningful conversation about censorship.

Writer and journalist Vamba Sherif discusses his work, personal experiences, and the importance of freedom of expression at this Banned Books Week event.

A potluck evening where adults bring homemade dishes, share them, and connect over food. A casual way to meet new people in a relaxed setting.

Drop-in session for job seekers with questions about career changes, returning to work, or redundancy.

A creative writing group where you develop your own style through themed assignments and share your work aloud. Open to beginners and experienced writers alike.

A bowling event featuring hardstyle music at Bowling Alphen, combining the sport with electronic dance music.

An interactive workshop where (grand)parents and children play a dialogue game together and design the society they would like to live in.

A pub quiz night at the library where you can compete with your own team or be matched with fellow quizzers.

A monthly story-time session for toddlers and their parents or grandparents at the library, with games, songs, and dancing afterwards.

Join fellow board game fans on the first Thursday of each month for an evening of games, whether you come solo or with friends.

A creative writing workshop exploring how to craft compelling, concise statements on protest and social themes, led by two artists.

Learn to repair your own damaged clothing at this hands-on workshop. Bring your torn jeans or other garments and swap tips with other participants.

Build with Lego, create stop-motion films, or program robots in this hands-on afternoon where you decide the activities.

A musical adaptation of the children's book Hotel Zweefkees, following Kalani and his grandfather as their life in the world's most spectacular hotel takes an unexpected turn.

Kevin Hassing performs scenes from his book with children and teaches them how to use their voice to bring stories to life.

Bibliotheek Alphen-Centrum celebrates Children's Book Week with activities for children aged six to twelve.

Children's authors Kevin Hassing and Kelly van Kempen sign their books and meet readers at Bibliotheek Alphen-Centrum.

Circle of Creations paints children aged 4+ with Eye of Arm designs. Pick from ready-made designs and watch yourself change.

An introductory Dungeons & Dragons session for children aged 6-12, where imagination and teamwork are at the heart of the adventure.

A community swap and give-away event at the library where you can exchange or donate items over free refreshments.

Syrian refugee Ismaîl tells his story of life in the Netherlands with humor and insight, exploring cultural differences and the journey of settling in a new country.

Grandparents read aloud from picture books about nature and climate for children aged 4 to 8.

Learn how to speak with greater confidence and impact about healthy and sustainable living, and inspire others without pushing your views.

Explore Anne Rice's vampire novel and its 1994 film adaptation with Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise. The session begins with an introduction to the vampire genre in literature.

Learn from local police how to spot and defend yourself against common scam tactics used by fraudsters.

Theatre maker Marleen Hendrickx shares the story of nineteenth-century intersex woman Herculine Barbin in this intimate performance.

A yoga workshop series where parents and toddlers explore picture books together through movement, breathing games and songs.

Dr. Wim Tigges explores A.A. Milne's beloved Winnie-the-Pooh stories and their unique language on the occasion of the book's 100th anniversary.

Children create art with watercolour paint while learning playfully about water quality and conservation.

An interactive experience where strangers collaborate to survive a winter crisis - focused on teamwork and human connection rather than puzzle-solving.

A lecture about the book series 'Man, Dare to Read!' featuring novellas exploring masculinity in contemporary times, presented by the series' creators.

A lecture and hands-on workshop exploring animals' inner and social lives, with focus on their political position in the local community.

Two young people from different faith backgrounds share their stories about dialogue and mutual understanding regarding the Gaza conflict. In this workshop, you explore together how to find common ground, even when differences exist.

Children's workshop exploring artist Hilma af Klint's work while creating your own nature-inspired drawings.

Award-winning cartoonist Milan Hulsing talks about his graphic novels and his adaptation of De aanslag. Discover the creative thinking behind his acclaimed work.

Media artist Julia Janssen and tech philosopher Rens van der Vorst discuss social media, data collection, algorithms, and Big Tech's influence, exploring what a safer digital future could mean.

Participate in the Great Dutch Spelling Dictation live at Bibliotheek Alphen-Centrum while it airs on NPO Radio 1. Test your spelling skills and compete for the title of best speller.

The Royal Ballet's Manon is screened free at Filmhuis Parkvilla. This classic ballet combines dance and music in a compelling narrative.

Historian Daniel Paarlberg discusses his book 'The Founders' and rewrites Dutch history from 1000-1600, focusing on Alphen aan den Rijn's pivotal role.

A creative workshop where you work on your own art project and meet fellow makers. Bring your own materials for painting, printing, paper art or drawing.

Back to the Roots is a night party at MAX in Alphen aan den Rijn, organized by Team Gabber.

Art historian Hoo-Man Chan explores Paul Signac's pointillist paintings and the work of his contemporaries Pissarro, Toorop and Van Rysselberghe.

Open-air festival with music and summer atmosphere at Zegerplas in Alphen aan den Rijn on 2 July.

Cultural festival celebrating Moluccan music, dance, and cuisine at aan de Bijlen in Alphen aan den Rijn.

Beach festival at Zegerplas in Alphen aan den Rijn with music, water activities and summer vibes.
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Family excursion where you learn about bats and then go out to spot them in their natural habitat.

A house music dance party at Sunset in Alphen aan den Rijn, running from 5 PM to 11 PM.

Free digital help service offering guidance on computers, mobile devices, apps, and internet. Volunteers assist with your questions; book via website, phone, or library desk.

Build and program your own robots with Micro:Bits in this hands-on workshop for children aged 10 and up.

Free drop-in session for job seekers offering personalized guidance on CVs, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles.

Poetry workshop with Bettien Meuris at Bibliotheek Alphen-Centrum. No experience necessary.

An exhibition exploring how humanity's view of nature has evolved across centuries, based on historian Hans Mulder's book.

ChaChaChalina performs at Toost festival in Alphen aan de Rijn.

An intuitive dance meditation where you move freely to music without choreography. Discover what your body wants to express.

Albion performs on 4 September at Parkvilla in Alphen aan den Rijn.

Discover edible plants and trees in the Irenebos forest and harvest cornelian cherries, raspberries, mulberries and hazelnuts on this September foraging walk.