Nijmegen - Where in the World?!

When you think about the Netherlands, usually it is Amsterdam, windmills, or even tulips. Chances are, you aren't thinking Nijmegen…or even heard of it. Over near the German border, it's the oldest city in the Netherlands. We have traveled all the way here for an event that attracts not only us but hundreds of thousands of people to it every year. It is called the Vierdaagse, which refers to "4-day march" in Dutch.

Vierdaagse Basics

The Vierdaagse is a big deal. Participants choose a distance: 30, 40, or 50 km. PER DAY, day after day, for 4 days in a row. It takes real consistency. This all happens in the old Dutch town of Nijmegen, the hub and heart of it all. You start here each morning, walk a specific route out into the country-side, and then walk back to Nijmegen by the end of the day.

History of the 4-Daagse

The 4Daagse started in 1909 as a military event to build stamina for soldiers and has evolved over the last 116 years into the huge global event it is today. Foreigners weren't always allowed to participate in the event; when the 1928 Olympics were held in Amsterdam, international participants were finally invited.

It wasn't until much later, in 1970, that the big parties – the Vierdaagsefeesten – became an official part of it all. Every night for a full week (starting on Saturday), the whole city becomes a big party zone. 

Vierdaagsefeesten has become absolutely massive, now bigger than the walk itself, with 1.5 million people flooding to Nijmegen for music, performances everywhere, parties, markets… and it is all free!

Our hotel is on Lange Hezelstraat, the oldest shopping street in the Netherlands – lined with boutiques and eateries

"These urinals are awesome," said Greg. (Though finding them next to Nijmegen's 750-year old church feels odd.)

Sunday's big event is to watch the fireworks on the Waalkade

I've seen some grand firework displays before - in Los Angeles, Disneyland, New York - but they don't compare to the finale of this fireworks show!

After the fireworks, Greg and I stayed out to explore the festival - while we could. Attracted by good music at one of the music stands - with hundreds of thousands of people here - we couldn't believe we randomly ended up at the same place as the friends we made earlier at the Shamrock Bar.

Our new friends (from BDWF)

Vierdaagsefeesten is a free event - paid for by buying beer. (We did our due diligence to contribute)

After our friends left to catch the last bus, we kept going. When I spotted the swing ride, I headed straight to it. His common sense temporarily suspended, Greg let me buy him a ticket.

"I don't know if this was a good choice. Focus on the number one in front of us." - Greg said, realizing that his stomach couldn't handle looking anywhere else.

"You want a tattoo?" Greg asked. Oh my gosh, I can't be sure he was joking! Anything is possible here.

We found the Queen stage - and shut it down. Aweome!!!

Now I know why people come back here year after year. Greg and I had such a great night out!

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