Leidens Ontzet on 3 October: Lakenhal free from 10:00 to 13:00 (adults normally EUR 16), kids' square and parade free too

On Saturday 3 October the whole of Leiden celebrates Leidens Ontzet, the relief of the city in 1574 after a siege that had starved it. The day has a window few visitors plan around: the morning. Museum De Lakenhal is free from 10:00 to 13:00, where an adult ticket normally costs EUR 16. In the same hours the kids' square and street theatre festival on the Garenmarktplein runs from 10:00 to about 13:30, also completely free, and at 13:00 the Grote Optocht parade sets off through the centre. A family that arrives in the morning can fill three hours without buying a single ticket and still make the parade after lunch. The map pin marks the Lakenhal; the other events are spread across the old town.

• What the Lakenhal shows that day: the museum lists the objects tied directly to the siege, including Van Bree's painting of Mayor Van der Werff's self-sacrifice, Erwin Olaf's contemporary take on it, the famous hutspot pot, the pigeon-post notes, the emergency siege coins and the Lanckaert tapestry, with guides in the rooms all morning. Children can go to the Open Atelier and press red foil onto white felt to make their own small 3 October banner to pin on.
• Work out what the morning saves you: adults without a Museumkaart x EUR 16, CJP holders x EUR 9.50; anyone 17 or under and Museumkaart holders are free on any day anyway. Two adults with two children keep EUR 32. Note that the Lakenhal closes at 13:00 that day, and the new flower exhibition Tuin der lusten, which opened on 26 September, is closed on 3 October along with Cafe Laken, so seeing that show means another day at full price.
• If you come by bus, apply for Qbuzz's free day card first: one day of free travel on every Qbuzz bus in Zuid-Holland Noord, any single day between 1 July and 31 October, starting automatically at your first QR check-in. Qbuzz says you can apply once and that numbers are limited. Its own figure is about EUR 2.50 per average ride, so (rides that day x EUR 2.50) tells you whether it is worth applying. The organisers advise against driving into the centre; walk, cycle or use public transport.
• The one thing newcomers usually get wrong: the herring and white bread handed out at De Waag from 07:30 to 09:30 are only for members of the 3 October Vereeniging who registered on 17 September, so it is too late this year. For next year, membership starts at EUR 9.50 a year, and each membership collects two herrings and one Geusje loaf of about 400 grams; a family membership gets eight herrings and four loaves.

Where

Museum De Lakenhal, Oude Singel 32, Leiden・kids' square on the Garenmarktplein

When

Saturday 3 October・museum 10:00-13:00・parade 13:00-16:00

Price

Free・CJP normally EUR 9.50・17 and under free on any day

Note

Tuin der lusten closed that day・museum shut after 13:00・avoid driving into the centre

Hokimi field note: with children, watch a street act or two on the kids' square first and go into the Lakenhal around 11:00, because the museum closes and the parade starts at 13:00, which makes the last hour the busiest. Sources: source 1, source 2, source 3, source 4, source 5, source 6, source 7, checked on 2026-09-26.