Through the years, tourists and vacationers have often visited this city in Netherlands because of its spectacular sceneries, intriguing culture and dazzling festivals. If you plan to visit Nijmegen, prepare yourself for a wonderful natural and cultural experience. The Nijmegen festivals guide lists some of the most popular festivals that you can enjoy in the city. 

Go Short – International Short Film Festival

Established in 2008, the Go Short Film Festival shows an extensive variation of short films made by young and talented filmmakers from all over Europe. It attracts dozens of tourists every year, all wanting to see the latest trends in world cinema. The festival’s main event contains 7 prestigious film competitions that include fiction, experimental, documentary, animation, student film, audience and the special Dutch film award. The festival is held during the months of March and April each year.

Doble Ocho Tango Festival

Doble Ocho is an inclusive tango festival with a unique and sociable atmosphere. It is one of the most anticipated festivals in Nijmegen and attracts hundreds and thousands of tourists every year. Nijmegen becomes a place of convergence for DJ’s, musicians, dancers and the general public from around the world and constantly innovates within the framework of a classic tango festival. The festival is held in the month of April every year and has recently introduced an International Tango Music Competition.

Mariken Winter Festival

With delicious cuisine, attractive street lighting display and cultural activities, the Mariken Winter Festival is one of the the most entertaining festivals in Nijmegen. With the warmest winter month, everybody can enjoy skating, bargain shopping and indulging in some famous traditional activities. Local residents and tourists can also witness several concerts and musicals performed by famous bands at various venues throughout the city.

De-Affaire

De- Affaire is an annual free music festival held in Nijmegen. It usually takes place in mid-July and serves as a part of Vierdaagsefeesten Festival that accompanies the international 4-day march celebration. The festival focuses on different varieties of indie, progressive and alternate music. Everybody, even tourists, can participate in this event, as there is absolutely no fee to view the live performances.

International Summer Festival - Zomerfeesten

The International Summer Festival is a week long celebration of the culture and tradition of the city and is held from mid-July until the end of the month. Apart from firework displays and events like Latin concerts, local dance performances and street entertainment, there are also several jazz shows and other musical performances.

The Sonisphere Festival

The Sonisphere festival is a series of exciting summer music festivals which take place throughout Europe, including Nijmegen. The idea of this festival is to translate local music into other international territories. The festival is held in the months of June through August in different parts of Europe, with several core group bands displaying their talent.

The fact that Nijmegen is a hub of musicals and other performing arts is reinforced by the exciting line-up of festivals, where tourists get a first-hand account of the region’s artistic legacy.