During Zotte Zaterdag, visitors can immerse themselves in the world of Erasmus, with music, street theater, historical figures, demonstrations, storytelling, and activities for children and families. This year, the free festival will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. around De Waag, De Mark, Arti Legi, and in the garden of Museum Gouda.
Crazy Parade and Opening Ceremony
The day begins at 11:15 a.m. with the Crazy Parade. A colorful procession of medieval characters and musicians sets off from the De Speelwinkel Community Center on the Raam, winding its way through the city center to De Waag. Along the way and after the parade, you’ll see Erasmus and his mother Margaretha, Jacoba of Bavaria, the Hooghe ladies, peddlers, swordsmen, fishmongers, beggars, and lock keepers, among others. In front of De Waag, the festival will be officially opened at 12:00 p.m. by Erasmus together with a number of distinguished guests!
From street theater to medieval cuisine
There’s plenty to do all afternoon in the historic city center. Children can enjoy jugglers, magicians, and the interactive show “Martinus Defeats the Dragon.” Lovers of stories and music can listen to medieval musicians and stories told by the Storyteller and Erasmus’s mother, who recounts tales of Gouda in days gone by during a walking tour.
Medieval “food and drink” are also well represented. Behind De Waag, you can sample savory and sweet pastries, waffles, mead (honey wine), and the famous Gouds Kuitbier, among other treats.
Anyone interested in learning how things used to be can check out various demonstrations. The St. Michielsgilde Gouda will showcase historical fencing, while traditional crafts such as weaving, spinning, and candle-making will be demonstrated in the Museum Garden. The Gouda Lock Keepers’ Guild will also be present at the Donkere Sluis.
Visitors can also step back in time to the Middle Ages for a moment. At the photo booth or with the quick-sketch artist, they can have their picture taken to capture the historic atmosphere.
For the complete schedule and the parade route, visit the Zotte Zaterdag website.
A nod to Erasmus
Zotte Zaterdag is a family-friendly event held on the first Saturday of fall break and serves as a cheerful nod to the famous Gouwenaar, Erasmus. The festival brings the Middle Ages to life in an accessible and playful way and pays homage to Erasmus’s ideas and his book *In Praise of Folly*.
The theme of this year’s edition is a quote from Erasmus: “What is beautiful takes effort.” The organizers also see this theme as a tribute to the many volunteers, participants, and organizations in Gouda that make the festival possible.
Transition to a New Organizational Structure
The 2026 edition will feature a more compact, so-called “light” format. The festival marks the transition to a new independent foundation, which will organize Zotte Zaterdag starting in 2027. Starting that year, the large crafts market and the theatrical skits will also return.
The 14th edition is organized by a team of volunteers and is made possible in part by the City of Gouda, Cultuurhuis Garenspinnerij - De Kunstmachine, De Waag Gouda, De Markt Gouda, Gouda Gastvrij, Albert Heijn, 2Rent4You, Buurthuis de Speelwinkel, de Verbeeldingsfabriek, Stichting Najbaro, and De Firma Kunstcentrum Gouda.
Crazy Saturday – Gouda City Center Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Free admission
For more information and the full program: www.zottezaterdag.nl
