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Event Series Event Series: Alkmaar Cheese Market

Alkmaar Cheese Market

May 5 @ 10:00 am 1:00 pm

Alkmaar Cheese Market
Alkmaar Cheese Market

Alkmaar Cheese Market

Thousands of visitors from all over the world come specially to Alkmaar for the cheese market. It is therefore a special spectacle with a square full of cheese and lugging cheese carriers. The cheese market is held just over 40 kilometres from the centre of Amsterdam.

In 1365, Alkmaar has weighing rights and one scale, but in 1612 these are already four. When the first real cheese market has taken place, it is covered in mists. Old documents have been found that clearly state that the cheese market took place with certainty in 1622, but there is also evidence that the cheese carrier guild was established in 1593; from this we can conclude that there must have been a cheese market back then.

When is the cheese market in Alkmaar?

The cheese market in Alkmaar is held every Friday morning. The first cheese market of 2023 is on Friday 24 March and the last cheese market is on 22 September. The market starts at 10 am and lasts until 1 pm.

What can i expect at the Alkmaar Cheese Market?

During the cheese market in Alkmaar, the judges and traders go to work. They inspect the cheeses. They do this not only by looking at the cheese; the cheese is beaten and cut in half. They also take out a piece of cheese with a special cheese drill. They smell the cheese and check how elastic the piece is; this tells something about the fat content. Furthermore the cheese is crumbled between the fingers and of course tasted.

Program Alkmaar Cheese Market 2023

Although the cheese market does not start until 10 a.m., the work begins at 7 a.m. Under the watchful eye of the market master, they place about 30,000 kilos of Gouda cheese in long rows on the Waagplein. The number of cheeses is around 2,400. Everything must be ready by 09:30 hrs.

On the dot of 10, the bell is rung. This is the sign that the cheese market starts. The bell is rung by people who are guests at the market at the invitation of the municipality of Alkmaar. This varies from well-known Dutchmen to sportsmen and from foreign ambassadors to business partners of the municipality of Alkmaar.

The ‘ingooiers’ load the last cheeses into carts and bring them back to the carrier’s truck. The intention is that the whole square is ‘cheese-free’ again before the end time of 13.00, so that all the terrace chairs can be put down again.

There is also a cozy art and crafts market around the cheese market. You will find here among other things the real Dutch poffertjes, herring, farmer’s cheese, a clog maker, handicraft stalls and much more!

How to get to the Kaasmarkt Alkmaar?

Travel by car

The cheese market is held in the centre of Alkmaar at the Waagplein. During the cheese markets it can be busy in the parking garages. Look here for an overview of parking places, parking garages and parking fees.

Travel by public transport

If you travel by public transport, it is best to take the train to Alkmaar. Check 9292.nl for the timetable of the busses and trains.

Book a cheese tour from Amsterdam

Are you travelling from Amsterdam? Then the easiest way is to book a cheese tour. This takes you directly from the centre of Amsterdam to the cheese market in Alkmaar. You will also visit a cheese farm in the Dutch countryside.

Free