While there isn’t a major festival specifically on May 5th in Egmond aan Zee, the town still celebrates Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) with a key tradition:
- The Arrival of the Liberation Flame: On May 5th, runners participate in the Bevrijdingsvuur-estafette (Liberation Flame Relay). They carry a flame all the way from Wageningen, the site where the Netherlands was liberated in 1945, to various towns across the country. The flame arrives in Egmond aan Zee at the monument located between 2:15 PM and 2:30 PM.
Here’s a breakdown of the Liberation Flame’s arrival schedule for the three Egmond villages:
- Egmond Binnen: Abbeylaan monument – Arrival around 1:30 PM to 1:45 PM
- Egmond aan den Hoef: RK church on Herenweg – Arrival between 2:00 PM and 2:15 PM
- Egmond aan Zee: Monument – Arrival between 2:15 PM and 2:30 PM
During this time, a ceremony might be held to mark the occasion. You can check with the Egmond Tourist Information Office (https://egmondaanzee.org/en/) closer to the date for any specific details about the ceremony.
Additionally, while not on May 5th itself:
- Visserijdag (Fishery Day): This annual event takes place on a Saturday in June and celebrates Egmond aan Zee’s rich nautical history. It features a market with seafood, traditional clothing, and local crafts. You can enjoy shanty choirs and historical reenactments. It’s a fun way to experience the town’s maritime heritage after Liberation Day.