Alkmaar Cheese Market 2026: Dates, Times, Parking and Visitor Tips

Planning to visit the Alkmaar Cheese Market in 2026? Below you will find everything you need to know, including the dates, opening times, parking options and useful tips for your visit.

What is the Alkmaar Cheese Market?

The Alkmaar Cheese Market is a traditional Dutch market where large Gouda cheeses are traded using historic customs. Cheese carriers transport the cheeses across the square on wooden stretchers known as “berries”. Farmers and traders negotiate prices using the traditional hand-clapping method called “handjeklap”. Once a deal is made, the cheeses are carried to the historic Waag building where they are officially weighed.

Today the market mainly serves as a historical demonstration, but it still offers visitors a unique look at how cheese trading worked in the Netherlands for centuries.

When is the Alkmaar Cheese Market in 2026?

The traditional Alkmaar Cheese Market takes place every Friday morning from 27 March 2026 until 25 September 2026 on Waagplein in the historic city centre.

The market officially starts at 10.00 when the traditional cheese bell rings and ends at 13.00.

Cheese Market 2026 schedule

• Dates: 27 March – 25 September 2026

• Day: Every Friday

• Time: 10.00 – 13.00

Before the bell rings, the cheeses are already placed on the square and the cheese carriers prepare for the ceremony. Once the bell rings at 10.00, the trading ritual begins.

Visitors can watch inspectors check the cheeses, traders negotiate prices using the traditional handjeklap and cheese carriers transport the cheeses across the square.

During busy weeks the square can become crowded. A large video screen is often placed nearby so visitors can still follow the traditions.

Evening cheese markets in Alkmaar

In addition to the Friday markets, special evening cheese markets are organised during the summer.

• When: Tuesday evenings in July and August

• Time: 19.00 – 21.00

These evening markets are smaller than the traditional Friday markets but are combined with a craft market and street stalls, creating a lively summer atmosphere in the city centre.

Where is the Alkmaar Cheese Market?

The cheese market takes place on Waagplein, a historic square in the centre of Alkmaar. For centuries this has been the location where cheese was traded and weighed.

Today the square is surrounded by historic buildings, cafés and terraces, making it a lively place for visitors during the market. Because Waagplein is located in the heart of the city centre, it is also within walking distance of shops, restaurants and canals.

The history of the Alkmaar Cheese Market

The Alkmaar Cheese Market dates back hundreds of years and reflects the city’s long history as an important centre for cheese trading in the Netherlands. Alkmaar received official cheese weighing rights in 1365, allowing farmers and traders to bring their cheeses to the city to be weighed and sold.

The famous Cheese Carriers’ Guild (Kaasdragersgilde) was founded in 1593 and organised the transport of cheeses across the market square. Even today the guild still plays an important ceremonial role during the market.

The market has always taken place on Waagplein, in front of the historic Waag building. Many traditions have remained unchanged for centuries: cheese carriers still wear white uniforms with coloured straw hats, and traders negotiate prices using the traditional handjeklap method.

Today the Alkmaar Cheese Market is one of the most famous traditions in the Netherlands and attracts thousands of visitors from around the world each year.

How heavy are the cheeses?

The cheeses used at the market are traditional Gouda cheeses. One cheese weighs about 13.5 kilograms.

Around eight cheeses are transported on one wooden stretcher, bringing the total weight to roughly 108 kilograms. Including the weight of the wooden stretcher, cheese carriers often carry more than 130 kilograms across the square.

To balance the heavy load, the carriers move in their distinctive running step, which has become one of the most recognisable elements of the Alkmaar Cheese Market.

Parking for the Alkmaar Cheese Market

Visitors arriving by car can choose from several parking garages around the Alkmaar city centre.

The closest parking garage to the market is Karperton, although it can fill up quickly on busy Fridays.

Other nearby parking garages include:

• Centrum Ringers

• Singelgarage

• Schelphoek

• De Vest

• Kanaalschiereiland

From most parking garages it takes around 5 to 10 minutes to walk to Waagplein.

Arriving early — preferably before 10.00 — is recommended during the busy summer months.

What else can you do in Alkmaar?

A visit to the Alkmaar Cheese Market is easy to combine with a full day exploring the city. Alkmaar is known for its historic canals, old merchant houses and around 400 national monuments.

The charming city centre offers many shops, cafés and restaurants. Popular shopping streets include Langestraat and De Laat, where visitors will find both large stores and smaller boutiques.

Many visitors stay in the city after the cheese market to have lunch, relax on a terrace, go shopping or take a walk through the historic centre.